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Easy low cost LED Day Time Running Lights


XLTsplash

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I just installed a pair of 4" Optronics Platinum Burners LED lights as Day Time Running Lights on my 1997 Ranger. They only cost $35 at Walmart. It was very easy to install them as DRL because Ford wired the Ranger for DRLs from the factory. Just look for wire connector number C150 it's on the lower part of the drivers side core support. All you need to do is hook the power wire for the lights to the purple/orange wire number 298. Then hook up the ground wire and you will have nice bright day time running lamps that only come on when the ignition is on. You won't need to add a relay because the LED lights are such a low draw. The lights came with mounting brackets, wires, inline fuse and a switch. You won't need the switch for DRLs. The lights fit great in a xenon front air dam.
 


kid_crash

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Yeah I've seen those at Wally's. They look pretty good in the pics. Is there any night time illumination value to them, or are they really only for DRL's?
 

XLTsplash

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They are a bright white light, they don't have a long range beam of light. They do add some light under the head light beams because the are lower to the ground. They have 5 LEDs in each light. I like them because they don't draw much power and stay a lot cooler then other lights.
 

XLTsplash

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54
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1992
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Ford
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2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
2WD
I've been asked for more information on the daytime running lights so here it is.
I only have wiring diagrams back to 1992. the 1992 Ranger day time running light connector number is C170. Look for a 8 pin wire connector with only 7 wires behind the drivers side headlight attached to the core support.
1993/2000 Rangers the connector number is C150 and it's also a 8 pin connector with only 7 wires behind the driver's side headlight attached to the core support behind the driver's side headlight.
For 2001 and newer Rangers the connector number is C1030 and it's a six pin connector with only 5 wires, also attached to the core support behind the driver's side headlight.
On all of the Rangers wired for the daytime running lamps the only wire you need to use is purple with a orange stripe. Ford installed a cap on the unused day time running light connectors and the cap has shorting bars in it, so don't remove the cap because it connects wires that need to be connected. Just use a wire tap to splice into the purple and orange wire. This will be the power wire for the low amp LED lights. The purple/orange wire is protected with a factory fuse. Then you just hook the ground wire on the lights to metal and you will have day time running lights. Don't use this wire for high amp draw lights because the circuit won't handle the load. It you want to use high amp drawing lights for your day time running lights you will need to use a relay, you can still use the purple/orange wire as the switching wire for the relay.
I used the low amp draw, low cost bright LED lights made by Optronics and sold at Walmart. The lights come in different shapes and sizes to best fit your Ranger.
To find the day time running light connector on your Ranger, look for it from under the truck towards the bottom edge of the core support on the driver side. I couldn't get a good picture of it. Just look for the capped off connector with a purple and orange stripe wire. The connector was is the same area on the different year Rangers just move a little because of the different core supports. And the wire color stayed the same on different year Rangers.
 
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