MHoward 2003 2WD Ranger Edge Steppie

Truck Mods List:

Tilt column
Sport Trac white face cluster (custom colorization)
Full LED lamps (including headlamps)
Mustang dome light
Cruise Control (full wire and install)
Explorer OHC
Auto Lamps
Auto-dim rearview mirror
Lighted visors w/HomeLink
Chrome door and tailgate handle covers
Chrome high mount brake light cover
Chrome front and rear bumpers
Black textured FX4 front valance
2004 Leather-wrapped steering wheel & air bag
1999 tail lights / 2 to 3 bulb modification
2010 Mercury Mariner center console w/ambient lighting package and automatic floor shift
Explorer 6-way power leather seats
Accessory power delay after key off mod
Roush Thunderbolt turn signal mirror kit
American Racing AR172 Baja 15x8 wheels w/GT Radial Savero HT2 tires
Lincoln Town Car chrome turn signal/tilt levers
Enable Auto-Lock feature (wiring and CSM programming)
EATC (Electronic Automatic Temperature Control)
Pioneer Stereo sound system (CD-6/subwoofer/amp)
Flip key mod and program
Lincoln Reverse Park Assist system
Door window vent shades
Kicker KSC6804 door speakers
Drivers door keyless entry keypad
Spyder custom headlights
FX4 Level II stainless steel tow hooks
SN95 Mustang rear disc brake conversion w/PowerStop rotors and calipers
Limited slip differential/new axle bearings and seals
Aluminum girdle diff cover
Rear sway bar
130 amp alternator & Gatorback serpentine belt
Reese class 3 receiver hitch
Yellow Fog light units w/LED bulbs
2006-up power side mirrors w/chrome caps (modded with heated Expo glass/puddle lamps/turn signals)

@mhoward I got the heated mirror glass from a 2010 Explorer and plan on putting them in in 2006+ mirrors on my '96 Ranger. I got a radio bezel with defrost switch and the 2 additional GEM pins from a '97 Explorer. Looking at the Explorer diagrams, I see that the wiring includes heating the back glass, which I won't do. I'm guessing the amperage draw for the heated glass is maybe 8 amps. Did you wire yours separately on did you tap into other circuits? If so, which ones? What fuses/relay did you use? This does seem too hard a job but I need advice on making sure I wire it safely. I could not find any posts about anyone doing this mod until I found yours. Thanks!

@BobSacamano: Amp draw is 1.4 amps per side. My mirrors are both on the same circuit which is key-on hot sourced from the center dash. I did not use the GEM to control the off time, instead, using a small timer module I bought off of Amazon. The timer is fully adjustable for 0.1 seconds to 999 minutes (I chose 15 minutes) and handles the 2.8 amp total load without issue. This timer IS the relay. I have a wiring diagram I created in Visio Professional. Luckily, it allowed me to save it as a picture although it lost a bit of resolution in the process. I uploaded it to my album with the other pics of the truck. To do a clean, neat install, you need to get the mirror connectors from a 2006+ Explorer and extra wires/pins to utilize all 8 pins (you will need them if you do turn signals and puddle lights along with the heated mirrors). I performed this mod back in mid-2024, so it's a little hard to remember all the details, even with the documentation I have on it. I didn't write up a how-to like I normally do, so some of the details are lost in the mind of this 70-year old guy... HTH

Thank you for the quick reply. And thank you for the detailed description. I think I’m going to hook it up like Ford did using the GEM. Do you think 15 amp fuse would be OK on the always hot wire?Your set up is a little bit over my head. Ha ha.

Off hand, I don't remember the fuse size, but I left it with the stock fuse rating and it works fine that way. There is always more than one way to accomplish something, so you do it the way you are comfortable with. Good luck with your project!

BTW, that is one really nice looking Ranger! Post up some pics of it when you get those '06+ mirrors installed!

Will do! I’m really impressed by your extensive list of mods. I’ve done quite a few myself. On my bone stock 96 Ranger, I’ve put in electric fan, completely wired and installed factory cruise from an explorer, also from an explorer taken the RAP and wired it up, including the hood sensor, door disarm switch and ignition disable switch. Also add a wired keypad from a Lincoln and autolocks. Power window, locks and mirrors .one touch auto up and down windows Factory foglight brackets and lights. My profile picture is AI.
My new profile picture is the actual truck now. Thanks again for all of your help.

You have quite an extensive list of mods yourself! Your keypad mod is one of three I know of in existence, so we fall into an elite group. Do you have an album of pics? I couldn't find one and I would really like to see some detail on that slick '96!

I keep finding cool things to do on it! No, I don't have an album. I submitted the keypad install for a tech article, but it wasn't approved. As you can see, I was timid on cutting a hole in the door, but this works for my purpose.

Here's a post on changing the bulbs in the keypad:

Thanks for the links to your keypad/auto locks/keypad re-lamp. Unfortunately, my keypad is of a different style (1998 Windstar), so replacing the lamps is a different procedure completely. Still found the posts interesting and informative!

I hate to trouble you but I have some questions. Actually, I probably have dozens of questions about all of your mods, but I’ll start with the heated mirrors. First of all you have puddle lights that look OEM . were you able to directly fit that whole mirror housing on your Ranger? Because I’ve been told that the Explorer won’t mate with the door frame. So my 2006+ mirrors are aftermarket. I popped the glass out to make sure the explorer mirror fit. The part that snaps back onto the mirror on the Explorer is too big. I may have left a piece at the junkyard that will make that fit, but the backing of the aftermarket ranger mirror and the backing of the Explorer mirror look totally different. If I knew the Explorer mirror housing would fit I would just go ahead and get the whole thing because I would love to also have the puddle lights in addition to the heated glass. Thanks!