im noticing some of my dash lights are not working... are these the twist in bulbs like they used to have that lite up the dash? My ranger is a 1999
also how hard is it to get back there or do i need to take half the dash out?

You have to pull the cluster, plan on about one hour. If it were me I'd replace all of them while I was in there. Also, if you run them on full brightness I would strongly consider dimming them to promote longer life.

It's not too bad...I'm fairly certain your '99 has the same dash as my '97. I DID have to pull the dash halfway apart:

but it wasn't really too bad a job. Hard to say how long it took because I had to go out after I tore it down for the new bulbs (IIRC it takes 7 bulbs behind the gauges, and two more of the same behind the heater knobs), but I could probably do it in an hour or so with all the parts. If you have a tilt wheel it will be slightly easier.

EDIT: the dash doesn't HAVE to come quite that far apart, especially if you aren't replacing your heater knob bulbs. You don't need to disconnect the radio, just move it and the panel it's attached to out a few inches to get the other panels off. Live and learn, I guess...

Oh...the other half of your question: the bulbs are in sockets that you twist out of the dash, and then the bulb pulls out of the socket. That was actually the most nerve-wracking part of the whole job, since the sockets didn't want to turn easily, and I was nervous about snapping the plastic of the cluster. I was careful and didn't break anything, though.

thats the same dash i have ... looks like its gonna be work lol thanks for the pics/ replies!

Bonus points if you fix the headlight illumination lamp, which given their history is probably burnt out.

check out the stickies at the top of this forum for some good pics and instructions.

good info but what bulb goes back in it? i was told 194, is that right?

jdk said:

good info but what bulb goes back in it? i was told 194, is that right?

Click to expand...

194 sounds right, but it's been a while, so I can't say for sure.

When I get home, I'll look and see if I have a leftover bulb to pull a number off of, but I don't think I do.

No need to take the whole dash apart

Using a 7mm socket, remove the 2 screws holding the radio bezel







Pull radio bezel out slightly












Step #4 Drop hood release bracket and pull kick panel out





Step #5 Using 8mm socket, remove 4 of the 5 screws holding kick panel metal brace

Step #6 Just loosen 5th screw in kick panel metal brace enough to drop brace to clear bottom 2 screws in instrument cluster bezel

Step #7 Using 7mm socket, remove bottom 2 screws in instrument cluster bezel

Step #8 Using 7mm socket, remove top 3 screws in instrument cluster bezel

Step #9 With tilt steering wheel, drop to lowest position. Also pull tranny shifter to "1" position (if automatic). Note: Make sure emergency brake is set! Pull Instrument cluster out from the
top

Step #10 Using 7mm socket, remove 4 screws holding instrument cluster









Step #11 Gently pull instrument cluster out from the right side, far enough to reach the 3 electrical connectors. Electrical connectors have release tabs to push in before pulling
connectors:








Step #12 Instrument cluster lights are in black caps. Turn caps counter-clockwise to remove light bulbs























Step #13 Light bulbs pull out of black caps