Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
For those who do lots of tailgating with the Expy, I've found a way to eliminate all of the interior/running board lights from being on while the rear gate is up. In the rear drivers side pillar, cut the white wire w/purple stripe (about a 22AWG wire) and install a switch. I bought a little automotive rocker switch from Radio Shack, spliced it into the wire and installed it in the plastic pillar cover, directly behind the third seat seat belt. It looks very factory and enables you to have the best of both worlds-you can leave it on for normal function, or lift the gate and turn it off to save some battery life and enjoy the tailgate. Done in about 30 minutes.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Jersey Shore on the Right
Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
I fish the beach a lot with the gate open with my 99 Expy. Newer models incorporate the shutoff in the dimmer switch - I'll have to try this tip.
Thanks
Thanks
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Junior User
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Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
Good Luck-its real easy, but be careful removing the plastic panel. The panel actually slides out towards the center of the vehicle rather than popping out. There's a large clip about 2/3's the way up on the window side and one or two clips by the opposite side. Its actually real easy, but don't just try to pop it off like a normal door panel. With the gate up and the plastic off, clip the tiny white wire w/purple stripe and the lights will go off-this is the check to ensure you've got the right wire. Then just put the rocker switch in-here's another trick. The switch I bought from Radio shack needed a 3/4" hole-since I didn't have a normal twist-bit that large, I used a wood bit and it worked absolutely perfect-no predrilling required. Mine turned out super-cool and looks very much like a factory deal.
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Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
I don't see the need for a switch up front, as this switch doesn't deactivate the interior/running board lights when the doors are open-only when the rear gate is open. If you open the gate and the light isn't in the mode that you want, the switch is only an arms length away.
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From: Jersey Shore on the Right
Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
hokiebob,
Thanks for the added tips, that's my project for next weekend. I just found this site - wealth of info. I've had a "door ajar" problem in warm weather - cold in Jersey this winter so it didn't happen much. Did the WD-40 switch spray as recommended. Works so far and it was warm today. Maybe the dealers will go out of business with the internet competition.
Thanks for the added tips, that's my project for next weekend. I just found this site - wealth of info. I've had a "door ajar" problem in warm weather - cold in Jersey this winter so it didn't happen much. Did the WD-40 switch spray as recommended. Works so far and it was warm today. Maybe the dealers will go out of business with the internet competition.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: North Carolina
Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
Thanks for the mod info hokiebob! Did it this afternoon, and it works like a champ! Also while I had all my electrical tools out I did the headlight/ foglamp mod. It also works well. Once again, thanks for the info!
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Junior User
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Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
Glad the switch trick worked. This may be a rookie question, but what is the headlight/fog lamp modification?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,264
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From: North Carolina
Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
I made it so I can turn on the fog lights with just the parking lights on. They also stay on with the high beams. There is a how to article in f-150 online on how to do this mod. Hope this helps!
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From: North Carolina
Deactivating interior lights w/rear gate up
Hey stang....... the hardest thing about the mod is removing the light switch! If you have a Dremel tool it will be a snap to do this, if not, see if you can borrow one from someone. Make the ramp as smooth as possible, this is what governs how the switch feels. Mine feels just like factory. Make sure that you re-grease the pin before reassembly!
