Redundant lighting wiring solution so that the Rangers do not think it has trailer behind it?

[cc1999]

I hooked up the lights on my headache rack last night, truck now thinks it has trailer behind it?

Is there any sort of way to fix it so it does not auto detect a trailer, or in my case a lighted headache rack ?

The really big downside to the truck thinking it has a trailer behind it is that it keeps shutting down numerous safety features, like blind side monitors are now off, cross traffic detection is now off, backup park sensors are also now shut off.

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[dfritz]

That's a really cool rack. I hope you solve the issue, I'm from the old days when you just tapped into a wire or two and everything worked. I'll be following this thread to learn more. I do have a question about how you fastened everything down, looks like you're on the plastic top of the bed- did you use spacers? I'm thinking I don't want the tool box, just the rack and the rail on top of the bed for tie offs, etc.

 

[StillwaterRaptor]

So I was reading the instructions for the install of the RSI smart cap topper. And they made an oem tap into the rear light harness. Take a look and I wonder if they’d sell you just the harness.

 

[StillwaterRaptor]

https://app.layerise.com/en/rsismartcap/2024-ranger-evo-smartcap-9225a6/d/clrru6xq05nqll40uigwrflmx

 

[cc1999]

That's a really cool rack. I hope you solve the issue, I'm from the old days when you just tapped into a wire or two and everything worked. I'll be following this thread to learn more. I do have a question about how you fastened everything down, looks like you're on the plastic top of the bed- did you use spacers? I'm thinking I don't want the tool box, just the rack and the rail on top of the bed for tie offs, etc.

Thanks!

It’s attached by 4 bolts on the inner edges of the bedside, two (one per side)towards the cab and two bolts back towards the tailgate(One per side) .

There was 5th hole drilled under the driver side of the head arch rack for routing the light harness out of the rack down under the bed and then all the way back to bumper, where it is currently wired into the backside of the trailer light plug.

 

[cc1999]

Did shoot a video short after dark last night to demo the rack lights as well as the new Raptor marker lights in the grill.

 

[dfritz]

the headache rack is great, what brand is it? the bed rail protectors really nice, did you make them?

 

[cc1999]

the headache rack is great, what brand is it? the bed rail protectors really nice, did you make them?

Thanks!

Didon’t quite follow the rail protector question. There are rail protectors that are all part if the 1 piece rack.


The company that made these racks for me for over 2 or 3 decades, went out of business a few years ago.

This one on the ranger was the last one I bought from them back in 2016.
It was originally custom made for my 2016 Diesel Chevy Colorado.

Had to have a local fab shop custom modify it to fit the Ranger, then I had to get blasted and re powder coated.

This is the rack setting on the colorado it was built for.

 

[CACTUSGREYFX4]

Did shoot a video short after dark last night to demo the rack lights as well as the new Raptor marker lights in the grill.

Wish the Lariat had tail lights like the Raptor but only the top portion works bottom is just a reflector.

 

[dfritz]

Well, you have something no one else will have, and it looks great. I'm torn between making my own, a lot like yours without the tool box, and finding aftermarket versions, which aren't out yet much for the 24. I did pick up a tip on size and scale of the bed rail tubes.

Hope you solve the wiring issue.

 

[MuttonChops]

. . . it is currently wired into the backside of the trailer light plug.

Which is why the truck "sees a trailer".

Why did you wire to the trailer circuits instead of the primary taillight circuits?

 

[cc1999]

Which is why the truck "sees a trailer".

Why did you wire to the trailer circuits instead of the primary taillight circuits?

Well I realize that. I don’t think trucks were quite so smart back when this method was made common place.

There is plug and play inline kit that Ts in with factory style plugs right into back side of the trailer plug.

‘Which historically has been the best and easiest way to hook up redundant lighting like this, which is why these simple adapter kits were created.

Seems newer trucks with a lot of safety tech on them is making these simple plug in kits obsolete and looking like it is likely going to force me to tap into the wires in the taillights one by one if I don’t find a better solution.

Which tapping into the taillight wiring was how we use to have to do stuff like this back in the 70-80-90s. That was all long before all trucks started coming standard with 7way round plugs on them.

 

[cc1999]

Wish the Lariat had tail lights like the Raptor but only the top portion works bottom is just a reflector.

Yea, That is really another one of those things about these Rangers that I really don’t understand.
It was clearly designed or a version was designed to fully light up.

Just like the trucks get cooled seats and back seat vents in other markets.

Ford spent the bucks to design, engineer, and is producing the components.
‘They are just not offered to us.
I do find all that sort of crap very irritating .

 

[cc1999]

I think I may have found a solution.
‘Possibly
Tommy Gate has a relay kit for wiring in their redundant lighting kits.
https://www.tommygate.com/media/lbq...elay-installation-instructions-095280-7-2.pdf


12V LIGHT RELAY
Eliminates false trailer detection when light kit is installed

Now I have to figure out if the lighting or rather the light wiring is the same on 2024 models as it was back in 2022.

Tommy gates application charts show cutting off at 2022 models for all Fords , GM etc.

Anyone know if the light wiring on the 24 Rangers is still the same as the 2022 models?

 

[cc1999]

Spoke with Tommy Gate tech support this morning.
That sounds like just the kit I need to fix my trucks redundant lighting.
Part number for this kit is PN 015863 found one in stock at the shop that sells me all my tommy gates for my business trucks. Very pricy little bugger. Cost $146.
I am picking it up later today. Should be installing it tomorrow evening.
Will keep this thread posted.
This could be an important info for anyone wanting to run any sort of redundant lighting on their Ford Ranger or F150s. IE. PUTCO's tailgate LED light strip PUTCO has a kit for the F150 but not for the Ranger. Which I am not sure why, but the Putco tech support told me the Ranger was different from the F150 yet The Tommy gate kit is the same part number used for both the F150 as it is for the Ford Ranger.

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