Add On Factory Fog Lights

[ddooley]

I have a 2003 Ranger XLT and would love to add fog lights. Today when I installed a different head unit I noticed a harness plug right where the factory fog light switch would go. Does this mean my truck is factory wired for fog lights? If so, did they make factory lights for this valance or do I need another one?

Also if they are pretty wired I assume all I need besides the lights themselves is a fuse, switch, trim plate with hole for switch and a relay which I assume all ready has a location to be plugged in? Where would the harness for the lights themselves be tucked in at under the bumper?

 

[AmericanPride]

They do have a kit.
First off...you don't have the cut outs for factory.
Yes, the truck should be wired the already. Most vehicles have the same wire harness from the basic model to the badass one.
Third and foremost...factory lights are very expensive. You can get nice aftermarket lights for half the price.
Take it from a guy who does this kind of stuff on a daily basis.

I'm an MECP Installer, basically a 12 volt electrician

 

[02RangerXLT]

I would not use the factory fogs... quiet frankly they suck... I un-installed mine and put two KC long range lights in my fog light holes. They're the 5" Apollo series lights... took some engineering to get them to work right but they shine out past my brights and that's what I wanted. Have them wired to my brights with a relay so they switch on and off with my brights.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would not use the factory fogs... quiet frankly they suck... I un-installed mine and put two KC long range lights in my fog light holes. They're the 5" Apollo series lights... took some engineering to get them to work right but they shine out past my brights and that's what I wanted. Have them wired to my brights with a relay so they switch on and off with my brights.

Fog lights that outshine the high beams would be really sucky as a fog light... their whole point is to put light up close to the truck.

 

[AmericanPride]

Fog lights that outshine the high beams would be really sucky as a fog light... their whole point is to put light up close to the truck.

Technically fog lights are supposed to be yellow and shine a medium distance from the vehicle. They're supposed to be yellow because in heavy fog and such, the human eye can pick up the color yellow better than any other. Why do you think every school bus is yellow?

I have installed countless HID fog lights, nice when it's clear...not when foggy.

 

[ddooley]

OK, I have searched this and several forums but have not found a how to on the wiring, and I am also confused as heck on what valance will fit my truck and bumper for fogs. I have the wiring for the switch but I don't see anything behind the bumper for the lights. I want as factory a look as possible and want to wire in on the fuse panel in the appropriate slot. I am very picky when I wire anything, I only cut into factory wiring when I absolutely have too. Any joints are always soldered and heat shrinked.

Any links or advice would be appreciated. Going HID would be great, however I will only go this route if there are actual HID projectors avail be that look OEM, no way am I going to modify non HID lamps to HID, I don't want to be blinding on oncoming traffic. Also if I go this route the lamps will have to be OEM or better quality, no cheap stuff that will yellow in a year like a lot of the aftermarket lights seem to do.

Thanks again for any advice and help.

 

[AmericanPride]

You can get aftermarket lights and still run them to the factory switch and fuse box. Just find the right size, lots of options out there.

As for the wiring, get your stock switch...don't get new trim if you don't have to. If there is the shape/imprint in the trim just cut it out and file the edges. Pretty easy. Cut the harness out of the truck and cap the ends off on the truck side. Put the switch in and use the leads from the harness for the new kit.

As for the wiring under the hood, it will be a little different from different lights/kits. Bit, basically you run power to the box with fuse...run a ground, get from anywhere really. Just strip the area and use star washers if possible. And take the wires that go to the kits new switch and cut the leads about 6 inches from the switch. Run those into the cab through a factory grommet, and I'm sure you can figure from there.

This is of coarse if you can't find factory wiring. If you do find some, then it's cake. Hook the switch and fuse up, hook your DMM to the leads and see if there's 12v. If there is, you still can go aftermarket if stock won't work. Cut the factory connectors off with again some to spare, and wire the new lights in.

I've done countless trucks that way. We just grab a couple boxes and see what fits and make it work. You'd never know it wasn't stock. Stock wiring and switch.

Hope this helps