I am new to the forum, but see that there are many out there with a great amount of knowledge. I was fortunate to find a perfect headliner and sunvisors for my '85 F-150. These were from a later model, but fit perfectly. The problem I am having is that I would like to replace my standard dome light to the one I found that has the map lights in it. Does anyone have an idea on how to change them over? I tried to install it like the old one, but that didn't work. Thanks!

 

Welcome to the forum 85blackbeauty.
I don't have an answer for you, but I'm sure someone will soon enough.
We love pictures here and soon enough you will have to let us see this beauty of a truck you have. My truck was black and an '85 too. I'm in the process of rebuilding it currently, and when finished it will be black again.
Welcome again.

 

Thank you for your reply. My avatar is a picture of my truck. My truck is black with a red interior, AOD, A/C, with a carbureted 302. It is starting to develop some real rust problems in the fender wells, and needs an exhaust. But it is as reliable as a Timex watch, and has never failed me. It will start right off no matter how hot or cold the weather. Just a great old truck with a heart of gold. My plans are to fix all that wrong with it body wise and just do a on-the-cheap reatoration of sorts. My wife bought me this truck three years ago when I was at Camp Atterbury, IN training Soldiers on their way to the war zones.







The middle picture shows what light it has now, and the bottom one is the one I want to install.

 

Awesome, thanks for your service. Where are you located in KY?
Here's a link to mine; https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...build-log.html
Mine is pretty much a base model with the 4.9L, 4x2, manual, no a/c, no radio. I have some rust issues of my own that I am working on fixing myself. I have come a long way to eradicating all of it, with a long way to go. I am currently working on the floor-pans. I replaced both fenders and a cab corner already. I don't have the interior trim and headliner. I did upgrade to a newer year visor though, the one with the catches/holders on the other side. I also put a new cowl on from an '87 model to help keep the leaves out of the vents. I am trying to work on mine with a minimum down time as well. WE do use it regularly, but it is not a daily driver.

 

I use mine regularly too. I have a farm so it get used for hauling things around such as brush and hay bales and such. I got my headliner and sunvisors at Pull a part in Louisville. They came from I think a '91, but everything fits perfectly. The headliner and visors are that velour cloth type, really makes it look nice inside.

 

I used to have an aunt in Louisville. I have a bil that lives outside of Cincinnati. My fil lives in Lexington, and I have a cousin in Oneida.
You must have had a headliner in your truck previously, or you would have had to cut holes or screw the new one in.

Edit: Never-mind, I just saw your post in the headliner thread.

 

Those later model headliners just fit under the plastic trim that goes around the inside of the truck. If the guy did not have this trim, then yes he would have to get the trin and drill screw holes in for them. I may have had a headliner before, but the one I got is different from the ones that came with our model.

 

I haven't swapped from the base dome light, like yours, to the map light style, but I have taken both off and seem to remember both being held in with screws to the same attaching points. Unfortunately I'm traveling for the next few days so can't confirm that. But, I do know for sure that you will need the wire that connects behind the driver's door under the trim piece. It extends the power up to the light so you can bring on the map lights w/o the dome light. Go to a salvage to get one of those.

 

There is a harness that runs between both roof layers and comes out by the bottom of the driver's side B-pillar. There are two different harnesses, one for trucks with just the dome light, and one for trucks with dome/map lights. You need the harness from a truck with a dome/map light.

Be forewarned, it isn't an easy job since the connectors like to get hung up every few inches, but take your time and you can get the old harness out.

When you fish the new harness in between the roof layers, some guys have tied the new harness to the old harness, and then pulled the old harness, and then the new harness is supposed to follow into place.

That never worked for me, but a coat hanger did.

 

Good job, Shaun. I forgot to say that there already is a harness in there. And, getting the connectors out of the bracket was a trick IIRC. But, it is very easy once you figure out the trick. Just wish I remembered the trick!

 

To release the little screw in connectors that power the dome light, pull on the wire to gain a little slack, stick a small screwdriver behind the long side of the connector, and then pull up. One you pull the connector about 60 degrees towards the floor, it should come out.

As for the connector behind the seat at the bottom of the B-pillar, it's just like most of other other connectors with that little ridge and the O thingy that jumps over it. Just pry under the O thingy with a small screwdriver, and then pull the connector halves apart.

If O.P. would like pictures, I can run out and get some tonight.

 

Thank you all for all your help. If anyone has pictures of where the harness is for the map lights, and how it hooks up to the light, I would appreciate it. I am at least going to give it a try this weekend.

 

85BB - I know Shaun is going to respond to your request, as he's said he will. And I would rep him for it but I must spread the love. So, when he does please rep him yourself by clicking the heart button in the upper right.

 

One of those map light, lights will go on right in place of a NON map light, light.
They are BOTH held on with the same 3 screws.

 

You will need to get a 1980-1991 F-series Dome/Map/cargo lamp wiring harness to make everything functional. You can use the harness from any of those years. Plug and play. easiest place is the wrecking yard. The wiring for 1992/up is different. Going and getting the harness first will also show you how it goes back together.

You can also get the optional cargo lamp housing. 1980-1992/(1993 without third brake lamp) that is located outside above the rear window. I suggest getting a 1992/3 as the gasket is better. This will require cutting the back of the cab for the cargo lamp housing. This is optional if not desired.

As was said, there is a 3 wire connector behind the seat, drivers side right at the bottom of the "B" pillar of the cab. You may need to remove plastic trim for access. There will also be a ground wire, with eyelit connector for grounding the cargo lamp. Attach it to the other ground wire eyelit bolted to the "B" pillar in the same general area. The other end of the harness consists of four wires. Two will be in the lamp socket for the cargo light. The other two (for the map/dome lights) will fit into the cab where the light is mounted similar to your original.

The harness contains the wires for:
1: Dome Lamp: Black/Blue stripe (Power from door jamb switches)
2: Cargo Lamp: Black/Pink Stripe (Power from headlamp switch)
3: Cargo Lamp: Black (Ground)
4: Map Lights: Light Green/Yellow Stripe

The Map/Dome lights are connected to the wires using two of it's mounting screws. The wire connectors attach to the cab, and are insulated from the cab as Shaun stated, and the screws complete the connection to the dome/map lamp housing. The dome/map lamp housing is grounded through it's base to the cab with it's third mounting screw.

If the cargo lamp is not desired, remove the bulb, and tape the socket up out of the way, as it won't be used. If you want the optional cargo lamp, you will need to make a template and cut the back of your cab above your rear window. Shaun may have measurements to do it without making mistakes.

I recommend taping the new harness to the old one, and using the old harness to fish it through up towards the top to install the new harness. As was said, a wire coat hanger will work in a pinch.

hope this helps...