Pre-installed upgrades

[Mike_77]

I’m new to the forum—thanks in advance for your patience.


I own a 2021 XLT and I’m trying to determine whether Ford pre-installed wiring or hardware for optional features that weren’t included with the truck. Before I start disassembling panels to check, I’m hoping someone here might know.


Specifically, I’m wondering about things like:

• Power-folding mirrors — Is the wiring harness already present behind the door panels?
• Side-mirror turn signals — Was the wiring pre-installed even if the mirrors didn’t originally include them?

In short, does Ford typically pre-wire the XLT for certain higher-trim options, or are those circuits usually absent unless the feature was factory-equipped?


Any insight from someone who has already investigated or upgraded these features would be greatly appreciated.

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[fob63]

I’m new to the forum—thanks in advance for your patience.


I own a 2021 XLT and I’m trying to determine whether Ford pre-installed wiring or hardware for optional features that weren’t included with the truck. Before I start disassembling panels to check, I’m hoping someone here might know.


Specifically, I’m wondering about things like:

• Power-folding mirrors — Is the wiring harness already present behind the door panels?
• Side-mirror turn signals — Was the wiring pre-installed even if the mirrors didn’t originally include them?

In short, does Ford typically pre-wire the XLT for certain higher-trim options, or are those circuits usually absent unless the feature was factory-equipped?


Any insight from someone who has already investigated or upgraded these features would be greatly appreciated.

There are different wiring harnesses for each of these models. There was a write up on a few years ago on adding side turning and puddle lights to the mirrors. Wiring harness to side mirrors for power folding is also an optional harness from factory. There is a third-party module addon to make mirrors fold when locking/unlocking doors. There is a write up on that here on the forum.

 

[Dereku]

I miss the days when they all had the same harness. I had an 08 XL F150 and I added power seats. They were plug and play.

 

[airline tech]

You would have to search to locate it as I do not remember off hand where it is - but no its not a simple buy the parts and install them - you would also have to add door harnesses and add contacts to the connectors feeding the door harnesses and it depends on what Ford left in the main harness on how deep you would need to modify
It can be done it's just you will need to open it up and see what Ford included with your existing harness as it varies
Try searching adding (Folding Mirrors) or (Heated Mirrors) and I think it was (@ControlNode) that did it but not 100% sure either option will provide the needed wiring into the door for the turn signals as these are the Lariat mirrors anyway, we have an in-depth thread on this install on here somewhere.

 

[grunt67]

There are different wiring harnesses for each of these models. There was a write up on a few years ago on adding side turning and puddle lights to the mirrors. Wiring harness to side mirrors for power folding is also an optional harness from factory. There is a third-party module addon to make mirrors fold when locking/unlocking doors. There is a write up on that here on the forum.

Do you have a link to the turn signal mirror?
Tks

 

[airline tech]

Here are the threads that cover it

Auto Folding Mirror Mod Install Instructions - Pictures/Video | Page 15 | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

How to add Lariat heated mirrors to an XLT | 2019+ Ford Ranger and Raptor Forum (5th Generation) - Ranger5G.com

 

[twk]

Can you pop off the front shell of the mirror and look to see if the wires are there?
Too simple? I've never taken mine off.
There are several threads here, and YouTube vids to see how that's done.

Edited. Thought I'd reuse this post. Saving server disk space!
Wow, this guy makes it look easy. Be careful, don't break it.

 

[AzScorpion]

Can you pop off the front shell of the mirror and look to see if the wires are there?
Too simple? I've never taken mine off.
There are several threads here, and YouTube vids to see how that's done.

Edited. Thought I'd reuse this post. Saving server disk space!
Wow, this guy makes it look easy. Be careful, don't break it.

They do come off easy but man, it sounds like you're going to crack the whole shell when doing it. I was cringing the whole time I changed mine out to sequential turn signals but they do pop right off easily. I used a trim tool as shown in this video (pushing down and forward at the top) and he also shows where the 2 tabs are so you'll have a better idea on where to press down.

 

[airline tech]

It’s more than likely that if you do not have the features in the mirror- the door harness itself will not have the wiring either and then you would need to move upstream in the harness to find where they dead ended the circuit but since there have not been enough owners looking for this - it’s not confirmed until you start looking at the connectors and the available pin outs.

 

[ControlNode]

You would have to search to locate it as I do not remember off hand where it is - but no its not a simple buy the parts and install them - you would also have to add door harnesses and add contacts to the connectors feeding the door harnesses and it depends on what Ford left in the main harness on how deep you would need to modify
It can be done it's just you will need to open it up and see what Ford included with your existing harness as it varies
Try searching adding (Folding Mirrors) or (Heated Mirrors) and I think it was (@ControlNode) that did it but not 100% sure either option will provide the needed wiring into the door for the turn signals as these are the Lariat mirrors anyway, we have an in-depth thread on this install on here somewhere.

Yes, I have some posts about it, they start about here. Related thread about pins. I've actually not finished that. I got the wiring added to the driver's door to add support for puddle light, heat, signal, but on the chassis harness I only got around to added enough to get power fold to the drivers door so I could open the mirrors up and had to stop for other projects. But need to get back into that soon. But, as stated, year, trim and options can all change the harnesses in various areas of the truck, so the best way to determine is to get that wiring diagram manual for your year in hand and start tearing into your truck to see what is, or is not there.

 

[twk]

Junk yard, salvage yard, or whatever they're called these days. Though not so much fun when it's cold outside. There are probably a few Lariats around one of those parking lots. Wires/cables often survive some pretty bad damage. I've spent countless hours at those places.

 

[airline tech]

The problem is - IDK what changed but as far as the Pick N Pull type yards normally you would be seeing the 5G Rangers on these lots with cheap priced parts - that's not the case

 

[ControlNode]

Yeah, I've got watch notice at the local pick an pulls, but it's rare something under 9 years old is put in that lot if they have any demand on parts around here. They just get too much at auction for local places. Once in a while a newer one slips in, but I've gone in the week they appear and they are just about fully stripped when I get there. But, some of them will have the we-pull-it area and you can order the part, and if they don't have it they will reach out in their network of yards to find it, but, not as cheap as you-pull-it and often the removal was not as clean as I would do so clips (to secure the harness along the body/trim panels) I could have reused when I remove it are damaged beyond use often.

 

[Mike_77]

I’m new to the forum—thanks in advance for your patience.


I own a 2021 XLT and I’m trying to determine whether Ford pre-installed wiring or hardware for optional features that weren’t included with the truck. Before I start disassembling panels to check, I’m hoping someone here might know.


Specifically, I’m wondering about things like:

• Power-folding mirrors — Is the wiring harness already present behind the door panels?
• Side-mirror turn signals — Was the wiring pre-installed even if the mirrors didn’t originally include them?

In short, does Ford typically pre-wire the XLT for certain higher-trim options, or are those circuits usually absent unless the feature was factory-equipped?


Any insight from someone who has already investigated or upgraded these features would be greatly appreciated.

There are different wiring harnesses for each of these models. There was a write up on a few years ago on adding side turning and puddle lights to the mirrors. Wiring harness to side mirrors for power folding is also an optional harness from factory. There is a third-party module addon to make mirrors fold when locking/unlocking doors. There is a write up on that here on the forum.

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll probably just keep what I have as is, with the exception, after doing a little research on any possible issues, I intend to feed the turn signal wires L/R to the front fender marker lights. Also, I took measurements of the spare tire area and there is barely enough room to fit my 5th wheel 33" mud tire.

 

[Mike_77]

Thanks everyone for your input. I'll probably just keep what I have as is, with the exception, after doing a little research on any possible issues, I intend to feed the turn signal wires L/R to the front fender marker lights. Also, I took measurements of the spare tire area and there is barely enough room to fit my 5th wheel 33" mud tire. And it fit, perfectly.

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