Changing the headlight bulbs
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 37
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From: Rochester
Changing the headlight bulbs
ok...obviously Haynes manuals are smoking something....cuz it can't be that hard to replace a light bulb. Well...according to the manul it isn't....but they must not have seen the 99 Rangers because the space they show to stick your hand down and take the bulb out is not NEARLY as big as the one in my truck....I can't even get past my knuckles! It looks like in order to replace the friggin bulbs on my headlights of my 99 Ranger Sport I have to either crawl underneath or take apart the front end! I figured changing the bulbs would take 2 minutes! I can handle that in 0 degree temperatures...but not climbing under the truck...anyone have the same problem or am I really that dumb?
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 70
From: Elk River, MN
Changing the headlight bulbs
As I recall, the bulbs are accessable from behind the radiator support. It helps to remove the top of the air cleaner box to get hand access on the passenger side, on the driver side, there is room in front of the battery to snake your hand in, turn the headlamp retainer ring and pull the bulb out the back.
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 37
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From: Rochester
Changing the headlight bulbs
is the top of the air cleaner easy to take off? it looks like it just snaps off...but I'm not the most automotive-savy truck owne, so i could be wrong. I think I did try to fit my hand between the space of the radiator support and battery but I didn't think my hand fit through there. Not like I have huge hands lol. I will have to try tomorrow on my lunch break at work. Thanks!
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 70
From: Elk River, MN
Changing the headlight bulbs
The top of the air cleaner comes off easy with a couple snaps on the inboard side and slots on the outboard side. That is how you change air filters. On the drivers side, start with your arm and hand closer to the radiator then the battery and go towards the headlamp. You can not go between the battery and the radiator support vertically, you have to go from the inboard side.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,821
Likes: 19
From: South Dakota
Changing the headlight bulbs
On the battery side, you may find that you may need to remove the battery if you have big hands like I do, it will also allow for more leverage (but be carefull not to break the headlight collar), and you'll be able to see what your doing better.
You'll probably only need a 5/16 socket and extention to remove the 2 cables and the battery hold down, if your working on a newer ranger.
Good luck!
You'll probably only need a 5/16 socket and extention to remove the 2 cables and the battery hold down, if your working on a newer ranger.
Good luck!
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
Changing the headlight bulbs
If you do move the battery make sure you disconnect the negitive cable first for safety.
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 44
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From: penticton canada
Changing the headlight bulbs
Dude,
don't complain about having to pull the battery or air cleaner to yank the bulbs... ever try to change the marker bulbs??? I have a '91 XLT, the brilliant engineers gave me a 2 inch hole buried under a buncha stuff to slide my 2 fingers into, twist the bulb holder and replace the bulbs. My kid who's 12 couldn't get her hand down there. There must be some position your body gets into when you stand on your head with one leg pointing North and the other Southwest, that allows you to get more than an inch of 2 fingers into that hole. GRRRRR
don't complain about having to pull the battery or air cleaner to yank the bulbs... ever try to change the marker bulbs??? I have a '91 XLT, the brilliant engineers gave me a 2 inch hole buried under a buncha stuff to slide my 2 fingers into, twist the bulb holder and replace the bulbs. My kid who's 12 couldn't get her hand down there. There must be some position your body gets into when you stand on your head with one leg pointing North and the other Southwest, that allows you to get more than an inch of 2 fingers into that hole. GRRRRR
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Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
Changing the headlight bulbs
Originally posted by rxtr
Dude,
don't complain about having to pull the battery or air cleaner to yank the bulbs... ever try to change the marker bulbs??? I have a '91 XLT, the brilliant engineers gave me a 2 inch hole buried under a buncha stuff to slide my 2 fingers into, twist the bulb holder and replace the bulbs. My kid who's 12 couldn't get her hand down there. There must be some position your body gets into when you stand on your head with one leg pointing North and the other Southwest, that allows you to get more than an inch of 2 fingers into that hole. GRRRRR
Dude,
don't complain about having to pull the battery or air cleaner to yank the bulbs... ever try to change the marker bulbs??? I have a '91 XLT, the brilliant engineers gave me a 2 inch hole buried under a buncha stuff to slide my 2 fingers into, twist the bulb holder and replace the bulbs. My kid who's 12 couldn't get her hand down there. There must be some position your body gets into when you stand on your head with one leg pointing North and the other Southwest, that allows you to get more than an inch of 2 fingers into that hole. GRRRRR
I know what your talking about, my 1989 was the same way. I did get the drives side done once. While doing some work on the truck I had to remove the side markers and it took less time doing that than just tring to change a bulb in place.
Elder User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: northeastern ohio
Changing the headlight bulbs
on my 2002 there is like 2 black levers you pull up then you pull the headlight assembly out... you cant change it from the back..
the um lock nut thing (plastic) that you lock the bulbs in with wont come off the assembly so you cant get the bulbs out the old fashioned way. It was a POS. more of a pos. trying to get the crap aligned up to go back together.
Rand
the um lock nut thing (plastic) that you lock the bulbs in with wont come off the assembly so you cant get the bulbs out the old fashioned way. It was a POS. more of a pos. trying to get the crap aligned up to go back together.
Rand
