Explorer overhead console on Ranger?
Alexander Arnakis
Does anybody know how difficult it would be to retrofit an Explorer
overhead console (the one with the digital compass and thermometer, as
well as lights) to a Ford Ranger? I noticed there was one up on eBay.
Alexander Arnakis
I lucked into an Explorer overhead console at a junkyard for $35 --
right color and everything. (The dealer wants $350!) Mounting should
be easy -- it mounts with 2 stud clips in front and a flange in back.
The stud clips go into slots in the sheet metal reinforcement above
the windshield (under the headliner). I haven't checked, but if the
slots aren't there I can cut them in with a Dremel tool. The flange in
back just clips under the headliner (I think).
Now the problems -- there are 8 wires to connect, not counting the 3
wires that operate the sun roof (the sunroof switch is in a separate
part of the console that I hope to replace later with the garage door
opener bin -- this is a difference depending on whether the Explorer
had a factory sun roof or not). Of the remaining 8 wires, I figured
out which 3 operate the lights. Those I can tie into the existing
dome/map light in the truck.
That leaves 5 wires that have specific functions relating to the
thermometer/compass readout on the console. No way I can figure that
out without an Explorer wiring diagram. So I'm out another $53 plus
shipping to get a diagram from Helm.
And also, I'm guessing that there's an external temperature sensor
someplace, for the thermometer to work. The compass, maybe, is
internal to the module.
Any suggestions/ideas?
Jared R. Finkenbinder
2k ranger came with the temp/compas. I thought about one of those rearview
mirrors from the ford vans but the console would be nice.
Keep us posted!!!
Jared R. Finkenbinder
lone...@ultra2k.com
Kevin Baker
Jared R. Finkenbinder wrote in message <3913...@nntp.denveronline.net>...
Ditto. I'd love to retrofit an Explorer overhead console into my '99
Ranger.
Kevin
>
>
Alexander Arnakis
<Arn...@postoffice.worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>The stud clips go into slots in the sheet metal reinforcement above
>the windshield (under the headliner). I haven't checked, but if the
>slots aren't there I can cut them in with a Dremel tool. The flange in
>back just clips under the headliner (I think).
>
I checked under my Ranger headliner -- the sheet metal reinforcement
is there, like the Explorer's, but the 2 slots aren't. That means they
will have to be cut in. The best way to do this, I think, is to make a
layout tracing from the junkyard Explorer, using the visor clip
mounting holes as reference points. Then, the tracing can be taped
directly to the Ranger headliner, and holes drilled through both the
headliner and the sheet metal reinforcement. (Be careful not to drill
all the way through the roof!) Then the slots could be finished up
with a Dremel tool. The square holes in the headliner would have to be
made bigger.
Also, I found out that the 2 types of Explorer overhead consoles (the
one for use with a factory sunroof and the one for use without one)
differ in length. The sunroof one seems to be longer. So the garage
door opener bin and the switch setup for the sunroof are NOT
interchangeable.
>Now the problems -- there are 8 wires to connect, not counting the 3
>wires that operate the sun roof (the sunroof switch is in a separate
>part of the console that I hope to replace later with the garage door
>opener bin -- this is a difference depending on whether the Explorer
>had a factory sun roof or not). Of the remaining 8 wires, I figured
>out which 3 operate the lights. Those I can tie into the existing
>dome/map light in the truck.
>
I already started the project by installing the fancy Explorer lighted
visors, which I also picked up at the junkyard. These are 2-part
visors, so that when the outer part is swung to the side, the 2nd
visor (underneath) can still be used to the front. Each side has a
lighted vanity mirror. The lights turn on when the mirror cover is
opened.
I pulled the wiring harness for the visors at the same time I got the
visors. Basically, they wire into the map light circuit. I had to
modify the harness to tap into the existing wiring at the dome/map
light. While I was at it, I extended the dome light and the ground
wires to the front, because these will be needed when I install the
overhead console. (Actually, there is no existing ground wire at the
dome light -- ground there is through a screw into the sheet metal. I
just tied into that.)
>That leaves 5 wires that have specific functions relating to the
>thermometer/compass readout on the console. No way I can figure that
>out without an Explorer wiring diagram. So I'm out another $53 plus
>shipping to get a diagram from Helm.
>
The wiring diagram is on order. I'm anxious to see what it reveals.
Bodene
sunglass holder and garage door opener holder that's attached.
Jared R. Finkenbinder <lone...@ultra2k.com> wrote in message
news:3913...@nntp.denveronline.net...
Alexander Arnakis
<Arn...@postoffice.worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>>
>The wiring diagram is on order. I'm anxious to see what it reveals.
Just got the Explorer wiring diagram. Comparing it to my Ranger
diagram, here's what I found out:
The Explorer console has connections for 8 wires, not including the 3
wires used to control the sunroof.
Of these, the ground (black), the dome light circuit (black with blue
stripe), and the map light circuit (green w/ orange stripe) are easily
connected nearby at the existing dome light.
That leaves 5 wires that are a bit more difficult to connect. These
are:
Gray w/ yellow stripe -- circuit #1003 -- power feed (hot in run).
This can be tied into the existing Ranger circuit #1003 at the
fusebox. (Same color coding.)
Gray w/ black stripe -- circuit #679 -- vehicle speed sensor. This
circuit exists on the Ranger and can be tapped into at the firewall
connector.
Red w/ black stripe -- circuit #235 -- instrument panel lamps. This
circuit does *not* exist on the Ranger, but it can be tied into Ranger
circuit #19 (light blue w/ red stripe) (instrument lamps).
Dark blue w/ yellow stripe -- circuit #233 -- outside air temperature
sensor.
Dark blue w/ white stripe -- circuit #234 -- outside air temperature
sensor.
The last two present the greatest problem. They lead to a sensor
located just behind the Explorer's grille, which does not exist on the
Ranger. So the sensor will have to be purchased, and the wire
connections purchased or made.
Alexander Arnakis
Update on the Explorer overhead console project for the Ranger:
Found the outside temperature sensor unit at a junkyard. It's a little
plastic "bulby" thing that plugs into the connector with the 2 blue
wires (one with white stripe and one with yellow). (You have to get
the wires from an Explorer too, because they don't exist on the
Ranger.)
No bracket is needed. The sensor slides onto a plastic "Christmas
tree" fastener (with 2 "legs") which clips right into existing holes
in the Ranger sheet metal below/in front of the radiator (driver's
side).