Using Trailer Lights on a 1997 Ford Ranger with Separate Turn Signals and Brake Lights

Question:

i recently made my 97 ford ranger 2wd 2.3L 5speed into a flat bed pick up. i used trailer lights that have brake tail lights and turn signals. i have the part installed and i only have turn signals and tail lights. tied grounding bolts to from with wire. not sure if im missing some type of converter that i keep reading about. just looking for some help for brake lights.

asked by: James S

Expert Reply:

The 1997 Ford Ranger has separate turn signals and brake lights. Trailer lights have combined brake lights and turn signals. What you will need to do is use trailer wiring harness # 118325 which plugs into the factory tail light connectors on the truck (or if those are gone you can cut off the end that plugs into the vehicle and hard wire it in).

If you have to cut off the end that plugs into the vehicle tail light connectors then hardwire it as follows: brown connects to vehicle running light wire; green is right turn signal only; yellow is left turn signal only, and red is brake light only. White is ground.

Then on the output side, cut off the 4-Way and wire in the wires to the tail lights. The white wire is ground, the brown wire is running lights, the yellow wire is left turn and brake, and the green is right turn and brake. Just wire them up to the tail lights accordingly.

expert reply by: Michael H