2021 Ford Ranger FX4 TRS-3 Project Build

[Jim Oaks]

LED Lights & Winch:

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With the bumper built, I added a Nilight 30-Inch Spot/Flood LED lightbar to the top of the bumper. This is a PRO series lightbar and has a built-in EMC that limits EMI/RFI interference. This light uses Osram P8/5W led chips for a total of 240 watts per light, with lighting performance 24800LM/PC, 6200Lux@10Meters, 1Lux@787Meters (2582FT).

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This light bar comes with a wiring harness, relay, and switch. I will be using my own switch.

The fog lights are Nilight 4-Inch Fog Lights that also came with a harness. Again, I will be using my own switch.

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When I added lights to the Loan Ranger I worked them off of a wireless remote control instead of running wires in to the cab. I re-used the remotes and modules on this build so I could use the lights until I added switches. I will keep the remotes installed when I add the switches. Not only are the remotes handy (I can hold it in my hand driving country roads at night to quickly turn it on and off), but they also have buttons to make the lights flash. The top button flashes the SOS signal. The bottom button has different flash patterns that you change buy pushing the button. With these hooked to the fog lights, the fog lights can quickly become warning lights.

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I added Nilight 4-Inch LED light pods to the side of the push bars. These are a flood pattern lights and pointed to the sides and slightly forward. They will be added to individual switches so I can see off to the side at night if needed.

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The winch is a Smittybilt 97495 XRC GEN2 9.5K Waterproof Winch. It's a 9,500lb waterproof winch that I had left over from my car trailer.

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Bed Tie Down Hooks:

My 2021 Ford Ranger FX4 XLT didn't come with bed tie down hooks in two of the rear locations where they were on my 2019 Loan Ranger. For some reason these things are stupid expensive to purchase. I found a pair of them on ebay new for $50.00. CLICK HERE.

I like these tie down locations because they allow me to secure water and fuel cans in the corner of the bed.

Below is how my can's were secured in the bed of the 2019 Loan Ranger. I did that Trans America Trail with this can secured like this and it never came loose.

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[Jim Oaks]

Light Switch Panel & Switches:

I need to add switches in the cab for my lights and wanted a clean looking installation. I had considered swapping in te upfitter switches from a Tremor and then found this switch panel below:

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This FORD Panel for Ranger PX2 PX3 is from a company called Air On Board. The panel was $105.00. A little pricey but I like the clean factory look I'm going to get from it.

I ordered a switches that were labeled to match my lights:

LED Light Bar
Fog Lights
Left Side Lights
Right Side Lights
Rear Lights

I also bought a USB charging port that will replace the 12v jack that was on the left. I have them pictured below in the order they'll be installed. I like that it comes with blank panels to fill in the openings. I could mount a toggle switch in the blanks if I wanted to save money on custom switches.

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Each switch comes with a plug and wires:

Red: 12V to switch
Green: 12V out to relay / lights
Blue: Power in from dash lights
Black: Ground

I can't wait to get this all installed.

 

[snoranger]

I really like the look of that switch panel. If I didn’t already have upfitter switches, that’s the panel I would be using.

 

[JohnnyO]

Nice. I would have zero patience for wiring all that stuff.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I've been eyeballing that very same Smittybilt winch. I like the price point... good reviews. Unless you have concerns on why you wouldn't buy it again... it is on the Christmas wish list.

 

[ericbphoto]

That switch panel looks great.

 

[Jim Oaks]

The only problem I'm having with the switches is trying to figure out what I could wire the blue wire to so they light up at night. Can't figure out what wire lights up the dash and console at night. I could wire them to a wire that comes on when the key is on, but I'd rather them only light up at night.

 

[sgtsandman]

The only problem I'm having with the switches is trying to figure out what I could wire the blue wire to so they light up at night. Can't figure out what wire lights up the dash and console at night. I could wire them to a wire that comes on when the key is on, but I'd rather them only light up at night.

Do yo have the electrical manual? I have the one for a 2019 but the wiring should be pretty much the same with yours if you want me to take some pictures.

 

[Jim Oaks]

If you can look at the wiring going to the console and let me know if there's one for dash lighting. In the past it's been the same wire color throughout the dash.

 

[sgtsandman]

If you can look at the wiring going to the console and let me know if there's one for dash lighting. In the past it's been the same wire color throughout the dash.

I’ll see what I can find.

 

[sgtsandman]

If you can look at the wiring going to the console and let me know if there's one for dash lighting. In the past it's been the same wire color throughout the dash.

The illumination wire appears to be Violet Gray throughout the dash. I'll try to attach the diagrams. Probably more than you need but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

[sgtsandman]

Wire harness layout. I think you need the second of the three but here are all three.

 

[sgtsandman]

And just to make sure I'm reading everything correctly, here is the wire diagrams for the instrument cluster.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Thanks @sgtsandman

I suspected it was the violet and gray. Can you get the diagram for the buttons in the console? That’s actually the easiest place to get the wire from.

With todays systems (CAN bus), I wonder if the truck will detect a problem if I tap in to the wire for the dash lighting?

 

[sgtsandman]

Thanks @sgtsandman

I suspected it was the violet and gray. Can you get the diagram for the buttons in the console? That’s actually the easiest place to get the wire from.

With todays systems (CAN bus), I wonder if the truck will detect a problem if I tap in to the wire for the dash lighting?

The CANBUS question is beyond me. I’ll see what I can find concerning the controls. Some where a bit nebulous, like upper multifunction switch and lower multifunction switch. So, no promises. I might have given it to you and don’t know it. I’ll try tackling it from the connector side.