replacing dash lights

[ratchet]

I've got a '90 Ranger with a couple of instrument panel lights out & figured I'd put all new ones in. Is it much of a job getting to these bulbs?:dntknw:

[Wicked_Sludge]

gen 2's use the same dash as gen 3's, right?

if so, no...its no big deal. you'll need a t-15 torque driver to accomplish it.

[ratchet]

The dash is the same. Thanks for the help Wicked_ Sludge.:icon_thumby:

[Wicked_Sludge]

no problem.

if you have problems figuring out the clip for releasing the speedometer cable, let me know as i have some pics i can upload that may help (you cant see the cable while your working on it).

other then that heres a step by step (from memory :D):

remove plastic panel under steering wheel by removing 2 screws on underside of panel.

remove now exposed metal panel (4 screws), and let hang by hood-popper.

remove ash tray by pulling out and removing 2 screws. pull tray out of dash and unplug.

remove stereo (this can be done later if you dont have the tools for it, but its easier to do now). unplug and set aside.

remove large dash panel that surrounds steering wheel (held on with clips, pull edges up gently). its tricky to get the panel past the hazards button on the column.

remove clear guage cluster "lense" (screws easily visible)

remove all screws holding gauge cluster in. pull cluster out and reach behind it to unhook speedo cable.

with cable unhooked, pull cluster out to gain access to 2 plugs. unplug and completely remove harness.

that should do it. its a pain in the ass enough that when i pull the cluster to change 1 bulb, i change them all :icon_thumby:

[MAKG]

Maybe I'm missing something, but there are several parts I don't do on my 1991 Exploder. I don't remove anything under the steering wheel, and I don't remove the instrument cluster "lens" (it just comes out attached to the instrument cluster). I don't remove the radio.

I only found this to be a PITA the first time -- when I had to figure out by touch how to release the speedometer cable. I can get the instrument cluster out in less than 10 minutes now.

[Wicked_Sludge]

its been a while since i pulled my dash apart, so it may not be necessary to pull the panel under the steering wheel or the lense off the cluster...i just seem to remember doing those for some reason :dunno:

you can leave the radio in and just unplug it after you pull the trim away far enough to reach behind it...but i find it makes pulling the large trim piece out much easier with the radio completely removed.

[RobbieD]

Good description, Wicked.

It's not really required to remove the clear lens, and also the bottom panels, except that the panels being gone gives better access to push the speedo cable and cluster out from the back, so that you can get room to reach around it to get at the cable retainer. Something I find helpful is to pull any speedo cable slack that you can from outside (under) the truck through the rubber grommet on the floor/firewall. Once the cluster screws are removed, like I mentioned it's easier to grab the cable and push rearward, pushing the cluster out from the back, than it is to try and pull the cable along with the cluster from the front (looking at the dash).

Although the clear lens doesn't need to come off, while doing a bulb replacement job it's a good time to remove the lens, clean the crud-fog off of the back of it and CAREFULLY blow the dust off of the instrument faces.

While you're in there, replace all of the bulbs or at least do a complete check beforehand for blown ones (turns, high beam, idiot lights). Like MAKG says, it's not a difficult job at all once you've done one.

[ratchet]

I will take those pics of the speedo clip. Better to have the pics there when I do it just in case I need them.

[krugford]

First time I did it, I ended up pulling the speedo out of the transfer case to get enough slack. Once you see how to push/pull/tip your head to the side, you'll never forget how it comes apart.

[Wicked_Sludge]

the speedo cable has a plastic part on the end with a little "hook" in it. this hook catches a groove on the back of the instrument cluster to hold the cable in place. to disengage the cable, you need to push up firmly on the bottom (6 o'clock pisition) while pulling the cable away from the cluster.

here is said hook in the "locked" (relaxed) position:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/Wicked_Sludge/DSC02040.jpg

and the "unlocked" position:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/Wicked_Sludge/DSC02039.jpg

side view of "unlocked" (pushing on the bottom):
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/Wicked_Sludge/DSC02024.jpg

groove on speedo that the hook engages:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/Wicked_Sludge/DSC02036.jpg

shot of the cable and 2 plugs that need to be removed:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r9/Wicked_Sludge/DSC02022.jpg