Adding LED reading/map lights
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Freshman User
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Adding LED reading/map lights
to all,
I want to sacrifice my working dome light wire to pull a new one plus two others for map/reading lights for the passenger and driver. My question is: "if i sacrifice my existing dome light wire, will it pull three wires through easily?" Is this problematic? Has anyone tried this? Does it work well?
I want to sacrifice my working dome light wire to pull a new one plus two others for map/reading lights for the passenger and driver. My question is: "if i sacrifice my existing dome light wire, will it pull three wires through easily?" Is this problematic? Has anyone tried this? Does it work well?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,946
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I replaced mine with an 80's Ford unit. Its chrome with two little round lenses for map lights and a plastic cover for the courtesy light. These are easy to find on ebay or in wrecking yards. Since the map lights work from switches on the housing, it still only needs only one wire. The more difficult part was figuring how to mount it. Usually taking the more difficult approach, I removed the sheet metal mounting surface from the donor vehicle (bronco) and attached it to the 66. This way I had the mounting holes, mounting angle, recesses for the special wire connectors and ground (coming from a mounting screw) all in one. I'll try to get photos, unless you already have a unit in mind. More direct to your question...I wouldn't ever "pull" wires through. The single wire is certainly strong enough, but there are too many sharp edges on the sheet metal to compromise your insulation. You would hate to have a short show up now or later and risk fire. Just remove the headliner so you can see what your doing and route wires so they don't get pinched.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,474
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From: Tri Cities, TN
With the headliner out. Piece of cake. You won't even have to sacrifice your dome wire. With the headliner in maybe, but there are a lot of sharp edges and twists and turns to get passed.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,697
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From: Vancouver
Resonateur - That's a pretty good solution but there's still a problem with only one power wire. If you want to use the map light at night you have to give it power from the light switch. This turns on the courtesy light, which I think is not switched on the 80's lamp.
Eric
Eric
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
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...that's the one, ND!
6t6...sorry for my mis-statement. You're absolutely right on the two wire setup. After recollecting, I realized that my wiring (in process) is such that the map lights are hot all the time and the courtesy light will be wired through door jamb switches which I added. Thanks for the correction!
6t6...sorry for my mis-statement. You're absolutely right on the two wire setup. After recollecting, I realized that my wiring (in process) is such that the map lights are hot all the time and the courtesy light will be wired through door jamb switches which I added. Thanks for the correction!
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pulling a new dome wire
to all,
i did pull the dome cover so i can see the wire all the way to the top of the door. there is still quite a pull to get new wires all the down to the circuit panel under the dash. if i pull the dome cover and try to pull three new wires down to the fuse box is this feasible? Anyone tried this?
Chris
i did pull the dome cover so i can see the wire all the way to the top of the door. there is still quite a pull to get new wires all the down to the circuit panel under the dash. if i pull the dome cover and try to pull three new wires down to the fuse box is this feasible? Anyone tried this?
Chris
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FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
The way I see it you only need 1 wire with power all the time as the wire there works off the doors right?
I would use the wire there to pull a string down, add the power wire to the string and the wire you used to pull the string and pull it all back up.
I don't see the need for a ground wire as you can do it add the ground at the light.
Dave - - - -
I would use the wire there to pull a string down, add the power wire to the string and the wire you used to pull the string and pull it all back up.
I don't see the need for a ground wire as you can do it add the ground at the light.
Dave - - - -
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