small-list-digest Sunday, January 31 1999 Volume 03 : Number 026



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Ford Truck Enthusiasts - Ranger, Explorer, Bronco 2 and Aerostar
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In this issue:

Re: FTE Small - Cousin of My Aerostar Stinks
Re: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q
FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles
Fwd: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q
FTE Small - Re: Smoke?!? Doh!!
Re: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q
Re: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles
Re: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q
FTE Small - Service in Colorado Springs: need advice
RE: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q
RE: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles
Re: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles
Re: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles

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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 11:53:13 -0500
From: "Mike McNany"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Cousin of My Aerostar Stinks

Richard asked
NO! But I play one on TV. No, seriously, I take the time to talk to the few
professional mechanics that I trust to do the major work on my vehicles. I
only trust a couple of places and I try to ask the right questions (using
the correct terms helps a lot). I do all the work I can on my vehicles to
save money. My wife still works but I am retired from the Navy (20years in,
around, and through submarine systems, both as an enlisted and officer) and
gave up trying to find any decent work in or around my hometown. Didn't mean
to mislead, I tried to word my opinion concisely and I was replying to a pro
mechanic (the maniac).
Mike

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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 11:19:25 -0600
From: "Greg Hopper"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q

you could splice into one of the parking light power wires and use it to
switch on a relay (IOW, when you switched on your parking lights, youd
switch on the relay at the same time), which would provide power directly
from the battery to your fog lights.
just a thought...
dave



>Hi,
>I am looking into buying a set of fog lights for my 91 Ranger and was
>wondering how I connect the lights in with my parking lights (so they
>would come on w/ the parking lights). All of the sets I have seen have
>instructions to wire them into a switch on my dash, and I dont really
>want to mess with that. If you have any info, send it my way. Thanx.
>--
>Joe
>--
>I'd push a Ford before I drove a Chevy, but I don't need to.

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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 12:36:35 -0500
From: "Anthony Rifici"
Subject: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles

Since my Ranger cassette deck is failing (I posted about it last year),
I've decided that it is about time to get a new system.
I was thinking about a Pioneer DEH-P4000 CD Receiver with Pioneer
TS-A6815 3-way 6x8 Speakers all around (they are in the Winter/Spring 99
Crutchfield). The receiver is a new model and seems like a pretty good deal
( $259 from Crutchfield). Anybody familiar with these products or Pioneer
car audio products in general? Anybody think there is a better setup
(Receiver and Speakers) for under $500?

Thanks in advance,
Tony
94 Ranger Supercab, 4.0L, 5-Speed

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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 10:16:07 PST
From: "Joe Mitchell"
Subject: Fwd: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q

I went ahead and forwarded this in case anyone else needs it.
Explanation below :)
Joe


>Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 00:43:03
>To: no_limit_2_this hotmail.com
>From: Don Paauw
>Subject: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q
>
>Hi Joe,
>I'm sending this directly to you because I'm registered on the list
from
>my work e-mail address & I'm currently at home & can't submit to the
list
>from this address. Feel free to forward this to the list if you want.
>
>The kit I have runs +12 volts to the lights through a fuse & the
switch.
>It's probably not safe to tie your fog lamps directly to your parking
>lamps (the fog lamps would light but you'd likely blow the parking lamp
>fuse fairly quickly).
>So you need to use a relay with a 12 volt coil and a contact current
rating
>equal to the fuse that came with your fog lamps. Wire one side of the
relay
>coil to ground and the other side to the switched +12 volt supply to
your
>parking lamps (just find a parking lamp and tap in anywhere along the
wire).
>Wire the relay contacts exactly where the switch would have been (i.e.
>between the fog lamp fuse and the fog lamps).
>Radio Shack would be a likely place to get the relay.
>An added advantage to this setup is that it can all be done under the
hood
>and there's no need to go past the firewall. If you have a few relays
to
>choose from, consider the underhood environment. I like reed relays
myself,
>if you can get one with the contact current rating that you need.
>
>-- Don Paauw (aka don neomagic.com)
>
>
>


______________________________________________________
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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 10:05:21 -0800
From: "Pete Lawless"
Subject: FTE Small - Re: Smoke?!? Doh!!

Ed in NC wrote:
> Turned out the heater box was -full- of old, dried out pine needles
>and the fan motor ignited 'em.

LOL...That's too much.... I'm constantly sweeping the leaves off my
passenger side floorboard in my '88 Ranger. Couldn't figure out who was
tracking these leaves into my truck on the passenger side... until one day
I started the truck up (fan happened to be on full) and, out the corner of
my eye, saw some leaves blow out the vent under the dash.

Not to make light of a potentialy dangerous situation... guess I better
check it out.

Later.... Pete
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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 12:24:28 -0800
From: "Alan Wilson"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q

Would there be danger of a Fire? Does anyone have any safety tips?

Greg Hopper wrote:

> you could splice into one of the parking light power wires and use it to
> switch on a relay (IOW, when you switched on your parking lights, youd
> switch on the relay at the same time), which would provide power directly
> from the battery to your fog lights.
> just a thought...
> dave
>
> >Hi,
> >I am looking into buying a set of fog lights for my 91 Ranger and was
> >wondering how I connect the lights in with my parking lights (so they
> >would come on w/ the parking lights). All of the sets I have seen have
> >instructions to wire them into a switch on my dash, and I dont really
> >want to mess with that. If you have any info, send it my way. Thanx.
> >--
> >Joe
> >--
> >I'd push a Ford before I drove a Chevy, but I don't need to.
>
> == FTE: Uns*bscribe and posting info http://www.ford-trucks.com/faq.html

- --
Alan Wilson - Wilshire Associates, (310) 451-3051 x3750
(310) 260-7350 Direct
(310) 458-2842 FAX


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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 16:26:53 -0500
From: "Eric Davis"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles

I have those Pioneer in the back of my supercab. All I can say is they are
ok. Not the best. Also I have a Clarion head unit and Clarion front speaker
and they are better that the Pioneers.

Eric Davis
98 4x4 Ranger,
Edlebrock muffler, K&N.
- -----Original Message-----
From: Anthony Rifici
To: small-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Saturday, January 30, 1999 12:35 PM
Subject: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles


> Since my Ranger cassette deck is failing (I posted about it last year),
>I've decided that it is about time to get a new system.
> I was thinking about a Pioneer DEH-P4000 CD Receiver with Pioneer
>TS-A6815 3-way 6x8 Speakers all around (they are in the Winter/Spring 99
>Crutchfield). The receiver is a new model and seems like a pretty good
deal
>( $259 from Crutchfield). Anybody familiar with these products or Pioneer
>car audio products in general? Anybody think there is a better setup
>(Receiver and Speakers) for under $500?
>
>Thanks in advance,
> Tony
> 94 Ranger Supercab, 4.0L, 5-Speed
>
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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 16:30:31 -0600
From: "Greg Hopper"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q

well, certainly not anymore than with wiring them to a toggle switch
(probably less). the hot wire between your battery and relay should contain
an inline fuse. most relays (mine was made by Blazer, a company that
produces driving and fog lights) are rated for 30 amps, so as long as your
inline fuse is a safe capacity, you'll be ok. just make sure you use a
sufficient wire gauge, and as always, be sure to insulate all your
connections...
dave


>Would there be danger of a Fire? Does anyone have any safety tips?

>Greg Hopper wrote:

>> you could splice into one of the parking light power wires and use it to
>> switch on a relay (IOW, when you switched on your parking lights, youd
>> switch on the relay at the same time), which would provide power directly
>> from the battery to your fog lights.
>> just a thought...
>> dave

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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 17:33:38 -0700
From: Jeff Richardson
Subject: FTE Small - Service in Colorado Springs: need advice

Greetings!

I recently moved to Colorado Springs, and I'm looking for suggestions as to
where to take my '99 Ranger for service. I'm a little wary of dealers, but
Ford dealers know Fords better than most anyone I assume. Anyone here in
Colorado (or anywhere, for that matter) have suggestions for Ford truck
service in Colorado Springs?

Thanks in advance for any input.
~Jeff Richardson
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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 23:45:17 -0500
From: Burnett
Subject: RE: FTE Small - Fog Light Set-up Q

Alan Wilson wrote:
> Would there be danger of a Fire? Does anyone have any safety tips?
>
> Greg Hopper wrote:
>
> > you could splice into one of the parking light power wires and use it
to
> > switch on a relay (IOW, when you switched on your parking lights, youd
> > switch on the relay at the same time), which would provide power
directly
> > from the battery to your fog lights.
> > just a thought...
> > dave
> >

Any risk of fire could be reduced by locating an in-line fuse as close as
possible (
idea is that more of the wire is protected if this wire one day shorts to
ground. This advice is true for setting up any circuit, like a power lead
to an audio amp or a winch. Also, it's true that this setup shouldn't be
any more risky than the setup using the switch supplied with the fog lamps.

Also, you want to get your +12V from the + terminal on the solenoid and NOT
directly from the battery. Car audio shops usually sell a pigtail wire with
a lug for attaching to the solenoid and an in-line housing for the fuse.
This makes it easy to install the wiring and easy to change the fuse if it
is ever necessary.

Also, when splicing into the wire going to your parking lights, Radio Shack
and many hardware stores sell crimping aids that make it easy to splice in
new wires without having to cut the existing wire. These may not work as
well as a soldered joint if you're really experienced with soldering, but
they are easy and quick to use. I've had good luck with them. Either way
just be sure to insulate the connection with plenty of electrical tape when
you're done.

Finally, one disadvantage to this setup is it doesn't allow you independent
control of the fog lamps. The only way to turn them on is by turning on the
parking lights and the ONLY way to turn them off is by turning off all your
lights. It might be easier than you think to use the switch that came with
the lights. The hardest part is just getting wires run through the
firewall. Bronco IIs, and I' d almost assume most Rangers, have a rubber
plug in the middle of the firewall that doesn't seem to do anything but
plug the hole. It is pretty easy to just poke a hole in the plug and run
wires thru it. Just be sure to check under the dash to be sure you can
easily get to the back of the plug and that there are no wires in the way
before you cut/poke thru it. With this out of the way, you can just run
your wires and find a solid mounting place for the switch.

Hope this helps!!

Burnett 89 BII
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Date: Sat, 30 Jan 1999 23:59:25 -0500
From: Burnett
Subject: RE: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles

Anthony Rifici wrote:
>
> I was thinking about a Pioneer DEH-P4000 CD Receiver with Pioneer
> TS-A6815 3-way 6x8 Speakers all around (they are in the Winter/Spring 99
> Crutchfield). The receiver is a new model and seems like a pretty good
deal

While I haven't personally seen or heard these models, my opinion is that
Pioneer generally makes decent head units with good sound quality and
especially good tuners. As for the speakers, as a rule the Japanese are
weak at speakers. For the money, American speakers deliver better sound at
a fair price. (In home audio there are also some really good European
speaker makers.) I think Crutchfield carries models by Infinity, Advent,
Polk and maybe a few other American companies.

With speakers it is usually really important that you listen before you
buy. The speakers make the biggest difference in terms of what you hear and
there are greater differences in sound quality from one speaker brand to
another than there are in different brand head units. It might be worth
going around to local car audio stores to audition a few speakers before
you make a decision. With electronics it is frequently true that head units
selling in the same price range have similar sound qualities. The biggest
differences between one another are usually in the features, ease of use
and cosmetics.

Hope this helps!!

Burnett 89 BII
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Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 00:43:28 EST
From: MindEfx AOL.COM
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles

In a message dated 1/30/99 11:58:40 PM Eastern Standard Time, bernetts ptd.net
writes:


buy. The speakers make the biggest difference in terms of what you hear and
there are greater differences in sound quality from one speaker brand to
another than there are in different brand head units. >>

Keep in mind too, that a speaker that is mounted in the wall, (in the demo
room at your local car stereo dealer) generally at chest to head level, is
going to sound a little bit different then the same speaker mounted in your
door at knee level. In my system I have installed in my Ranger i went with
the Boston Acoustics Rally Series speakers, model RX87 is the model that fits
in the Ranger. They are really nice coaxial speakers, I run them with a PPI
650 amp with the highpass crossover set at 80Hz. I can really turn up the
system all the way with no distortion from the speakers what so ever. I cant
remember what they cost, i think it was somewhere around $175 or $190 a pair
but they are well worth it.

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Date: Sun, 31 Jan 1999 04:27:40 -0500
From: "David Olsen"
Subject: Re: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles

The HIGHEST model cassette with all the bells and whistles sells in the new
crutchfeidl for $219 THAT is your best bet.
- -----Original Message-----
From: Anthony Rifici
To: small-list ford-trucks.com
Date: Saturday, January 30, 1999 12:39 PM
Subject: FTE Small - Hey Audiophiles


> Since my Ranger cassette deck is failing (I posted about it last year),
>I've decided that it is about time to get a new system.
> I was thinking about a Pioneer DEH-P4000 CD Receiver with Pioneer
>TS-A6815 3-way 6x8 Speakers all around (they are in the Winter/Spring 99
>Crutchfield). The receiver is a new model and seems like a pretty good
deal
>( $259 from Crutchfield). Anybody familiar with these products or Pioneer
>car audio products in general? Anybody think there is a better setup....

---

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