Some members have found that you can swap the 1998 and newer tail lights on to the 1993-1997 Ford Ranger beds.
The problem is that the 1993-1997 Ranger uses a (3) bulb taillight, but only the 1998-1999 taillight still uses the (3) bulb system.
1998-1999 Taillights:
The 1998-1999 taillights are a direct swap on the 1993-1997 Ranger.
2000 Taillights:
The 2000 will work, but you have to drill a hole in the empty chamber for the third bulb to go in to. You’ll also have to file out a section so the locking tab on the bulb housing will lock in to the taillight.
From the top down the bulbs are: turn signal, brake, and reverse. In the last picture you can kind of see where the taillight was drilled and notched for the third light to go in to.
2006+ Taillights:
Above is the 2006+ taillights. It has an empty chamber below the reverse light. Since its a separate chamber, you can drill a hole to put a bulb in and it will work fine. This way you wont have to convert your (3) bulb system into a (2) bulb system.
2001-2005 Taillights:
Above is a 2001-2005 Ford Ranger taillight. As you can see it only has (1) bulb for stop/turn and running lamps. There isn’t an empty chamber to add a hole for the third bulb. If you make a new hole for an extra bulb, one of them will out-light the other one since both bulbs will share the same reflection chamber.
In order to add the 2001-2005 taillight you’ll have to convert your (3) bulb taillight system to a (2) bulb. Click HERE for more information.
Additional info from forum member shane96ranger:
I just put tails off of a 1998-1999 on my 1996. They fit fine, but it was a snug fit. The amber section is on the bottom of the 1993-1997 tails, and at the top on the 1998-1999 tails. I had to persuade my harness a bit to get the amber portion to be able to reach a few inches higher, but it worked after I jiggled and tugged a bit.
Thanks to:
Ranger Sport Honduras – photos and explanations of the various taillight years.
nate09 – For submitting photos of his 2000 taillight swap.
shane96ranger – comments
About The Author
Jim Oaks is the founder of The Ranger Station (TRS), one of the longest-running Ford Ranger enthusiast communities on the web. He has spent over three decades owning, modifying, repairing, and driving Ford Rangers on the street, trail, and overlanding routes.
Since launching TheRangerStation.com in 1999, Jim has documented thousands of real-world Ranger builds, technical repairs, drivetrain swaps, suspension modifications, and off-road adventures. TRS has been heavily referenced by enthusiasts, mechanics, and off-road builders looking for practical, experience-based information.