Cargo Lamp Replacement

[Fred93]

Hi 1st Gen Fans,

Has anyone replaced their interior rear cargo lamp? I got a replacement bulb that looks to match the specified 211-2 bulb. Sort of a tube with pointy metal ends that looks like it snaps into a bracket of sorts.

I removed the plastic rear cargo lamp cover from the ceiling and found a tube shaped lamp with loops of wire sticking out of each end. The loops go around two metal prongs in the light fixture. Is this just an unusual lamp, or is there a way to fit that pointy end lamp in the loopy wire fixture? If not, does anyone know the spec number of the wire loop lamp?

The truck is a '93 XLT.

Thanks!

 

[Exploring XLT]

I put the cylinder one into where the wire one was, it has stayed in so far.

 

[Fred93]

Thanks for the tip on the cylinder lamp. The cylinder I got was just a bit too short to stay in the mount. After some additional internet research I found out that the tube lamp with wire loops at the end is called a rigid loop festoon lamp. Don't know what a "festoon" is, but that's what they called it. The part number that looks to match is RL4410. I have one coming soon to try out.

I can see the advantage of the wire loops for mounting in the ceiling of the cargo area. There are little clips in the fixture that the loops slide in to that keep the lamp from from falling out.

Thanks!

 

[Wilson Vo]

I just used the normal non rigid one. Has stayed in so far.

 

[ModT1927]

And as a side note:
My lights were going dim as time has gone by: new light switch (worth every penny!) in the dash changed all that! Whoa! Much brighter lights all around: headlights, tail lights, interior lights; all brighter!
AND
did a search for LED conversion kit for 1993 Ford Explorer XLT and found one for a few dollars: I now have all the interior lights switched out to LED bright white, including the door lights: way brighter now! Worth every penny!
FYI
I do all my own work on truck because if I have to pay, might as well get a new one....
This one a third vehicle with 87k and running just fine.
Good luck to you!

 

[Fred93]

Thanks for all the good advice. I just replaced the cargo lamp with a Precision LED RL4410 rigid loop festoon lamp, and it works great. Also installed Hikari Ultra LED headlamps. Very bright. Not too bad to install once you figure out the process (only took me 3 tries!) Used some zip ties to secure the extra wires and converter box hanging off the back.

Now I notice that my backup lights are hardly there. Anyone have recommendations for brighter backup lights, and tail/brake and rear turn signal lights? May as well replace them all while the rear light assembly is pulled off.

Thanks!

 

[ModT1927]

RE: LED Brake/back-up lights
I have to believe that there are LED replacements out there.
And
I thought I would be doing that; but after putting in a new headlight switch, those bulbs are burning just like new, along with the headlights; so I will forgo that for now.
The backup lights are bright enough now, that I am comfortable backing up in the woods at night (before dawn/after dusk; I do hunt and this truck still works very well for that! I have opted for some LED spotlights that I mounted long wires and magnetic base; so now I can put light wherever I need it! I love LEDs!)

(Sidebar 001: I did replace the third high brake lights w/LED = same as LED interior conversion; same as license plate lights; as one of the two originals went out)
(sidebar 002: and a buddy put in really bright LED bulbs and was pulled over for being too bright. I don't like being pulled over!)
(sidebar 003: added thought: 1993 XLT 4x4 = mine does have the indicator that tells you when a tail light is out; you do have to be careful when you change out to LED as that bulb out sensor does rely on reading wattage; in other words, if you install LED, your indicator might turn on; happened to a friend, albeit another and newer brand of truck.)

Good luck in your search! And let us all know how it turns out!