Greetings from Oregon! I just bought a used 1996 2dr Ranger Splash (sans the owner's manual). Through some other research on the net I have learned that new as of 1996 there has been a switch added as standard equipment to allow the consumer to disable the passenger side airbag. As I have a 5yr old son who will ride with me regularly, it is necesary for me to exercise this feature. Unfortunately, I have no idea where the switch is. I did find teeny little momentary toggle switch at the bottom of the dash almost directly beneath the steering column. It's right next to a wierd little connector that is mounted to face the driver's seat. I would think that an airbag defeat switch however would not be momentary contact. This is a secondary question however if anyone knows what the little connector & switch is I have discovered. Any help would be great. Tailwinds, David Beaverton, OR

i may be mistaken but '96's do not have passenger side airbags those became a safety add-on in '98 but the pre-98's dont have a passenger side airbag. i may be wrong(isnt the first, wont be the last time). but if anyone else has any info it would be appreciated im sure. Chris davidbusey

David, Ford didnt introduce the 2nd generation airbag in the ranger til 98 like the other member said. if there is a toggle switch for an airbag the previous owner should be locked up. that is very dangerous to an unsuspecting 2nd owner. If you wish to disable the pass. airbag, disconnect the battery and let the truck sit dead for about 30 minutes, this will discharge any stored current, remove the glove box for easy access, find the brite yellow wire and disconnect it. Just a final note, dont tell anyone you did it, and reconnect it if u sell it.

Thanks for the tutorial Terry. I'm working from what I read on Edmunds.com at the following link. http://pda.edmunds.com/used/1996/ford/ranger/8265/overview.ht ml Amongst other comments the blurb says, "... An optional passenger-side airbag is available, and it comes with a switch that will disable the system if a child seat is installed in the truck. ..." Once I get the glove box out I may discover the "Option" was not in stalled and it's just a cover there on top of where the airbag would normally go. This poor truck is slightly used and abused. It was a recovered theft so the previous "owner" is unavailable for comment. Hopefully in a correctional facility somewhere for grand theft auto. I found some nasty stuff while cleaning out that vehicle. Whew! Thanks again! David Beaverton, Oregon

it will say on the cover if it has an air-bag or not it will have the ford oval and srs on the cover. mine i use as a storage space for tools ;) very handy. davidbusey