03 XLS fog lights

[Jaegermeister]

I just bought the 03 XLS 4 door with the sport package in Mineral Gray. I wanted 4wd without that silly third-row seat because I haul a hunting dog in a crate. There is also more storage without that silly third-row seat.

My Explorer has pop-outs at the very bottom of the front end for rectangular fog/driving lights. How big a job is that to install lights there? Which ones work?

Our parts dept. at the dealer said they have a kit and can replace the factory light switch so there is no toggle switch on the dash to be installed.

Is this the best way to go or what aftermarket parts fit in those pop-outs? These are in a lower location than the round lights on the 03 XLT.

Any help would be great.

 

[03ExplorerSPT]

You have a completely different front bumper than the XLTs and up. Those "pop-outs" on the XLS bumper have no purpose. There are no OEM fog lights that fit in those spaces. to get the OEM fogs you would ahve to get an XLT or up front bumper. Also, you could have gotten an XLt 4WD without the third row seat. The third seat is an option.

 

[Bill Kemp]

What size are the holes after the pop-outs are out? That determins what lights will fit.
Switches have come a long way from the old metal toggle. Most look & fit well so its just up to you if you like the looks or want to pay extra for a factory switch. If the dealer installs it, it may be that it will only allow the fog lights go on with the low beams and off with the high beams. Something a lot of people have changed around here.

 

[Jaegermeister]

I talked to a guy at an Advance Auto Parts store and he said those holes that "have no purpose" will work with Sylvania fog lights for larger Ford Vehicles and trucks. One even had a remote-control option.


Why would they put the pop-outs there of they have not purpose?

Have you ever tried to find an XLT without a third-row seat and not have it delivered from more than 500 miles away? About 95 percent of XLTs have the third-row seat because families are sick of minivans.

The seats on the XLS fold flatter also because they are more simply built.

 

[noblebc]

I just put the Sylvania Xenarc HID fog lights on my truck last night. They are awesome. It is my Escape so I am not sure if they would fit in the Explorer spots. It took me two hours and having the remote makes the system as easy as finding spots for everything. You don't need to worry about the switch. For $300 they are great and I can't wait for tonight to check them out in the dark.

 

[jeeden]

uh...my 03 Eddie Bauer came with little rectangular popouts in the front. They pop out so you can put tow hooks in there, are you sure this isn't what these are for? Try popping them out and seeing if the front edge of the frame is right behind it and about 2 inches up with a hole in the bottom. If there, is, it's for tow hooks.

You could probably use the hole in the frame for mounting a light bracket if these are the holes I think they are.

 

[AndyCap]

Eddie Bauer is an XLT package. XLT's have a different bumper than the XLS. I agree about the third seat though. I have an XLT that I bought to use for my carpentry trade and find that the rear seats don't fold flat. LOL Oh well - i still love the truck. I will have to get a trailer.

 

[chickwich]

I just switched a xlt bumper onto my xls. I do not have any wiring for the lights or switch. Will an xlt switch plug into an xls harness? If so, where can I tap the harness to get power to the lights up front? Or should I just run a separate harness for the lights and add another switch in another location? Anyone ever done this? Thanks in advance.