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Dome Light Install

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Old Mar 2, 2024 | 08:03 AM
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Dome Light Install

I have my headliner to install so I figured I would install the dome light that I have while I'm doing this.
I will need to double check how to wire it, but that shouldn't be too much of an issue. My current problem is how to mount the switch.
It looks like the switch goes into the slot pictured, but there are no holes for attaching.



My mounting location is is rough shape, but it will work for me.


If I put the switch behind the bracket, it doesn't fill up the slot on the dome light. So, how do I do this?





 
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Old Mar 2, 2024 | 08:24 AM
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The switch mounts to the cab bracket. I think it mounts from the front and that would let the switch stick out a little further.

 
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Old Mar 2, 2024 | 09:01 AM
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Throwing this out here for wiring and notes about how the switch mounts: https://m.midfifty.com/inst2/INST-3203-2.pdf
 
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Old Mar 2, 2024 | 09:42 AM
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Joe, so your going to the Darkside with your Standard Cab truck, like I did!

It's been a long time since I put mine in, almost 25 years. The switch goes in front of the bracket. But I don't see any holes for the screws. You might have to drill one. You might need a big washer on the bottom where the rust is.

So you are putting your headliner in. I see you put heat and sound deadener on already. You will be surprised and happy about how much quieter your cab will be.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2024 | 10:21 AM
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I'm fully Darkside now. I will be getting a dome light, I put in heat and sound deadener, I have a usb charger, and I I have a fuse panel. I bought a drivers door switch as well.
It's a slippery path. What's next? Converting to 12 volt? Man the cookies are calling.

I'm surprised the switch doesn't sit more flush with the opening, but it looks fine. Thanks for the picture John.
Now to get some wiring connectors and running wires.
I bought a new pigtail, but the current socket looks like it is all part of the housing. But I did need the wire and spring, so all is well.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 08:55 AM
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So I'm starting the wiring and the connectors I have are just a touch big. They seem to be the same size as the original and the only size I can seem to find.
Am I just not strong enough or is there a better connector to put on this switch? I would rather not break the switch.


 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 10:00 AM
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Ford used their own funky bullet ends. I'm not sure where to find them, but one of the restoration parts places that do the older cars, like C&G Ford Parts or maybe Chuck's trucks would have a line on them.


 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 11:13 AM
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The aftermarket makes different size bullet connectors, I have two different sizes. Check online or a good electrical supply house and get another one yo replace the the one that appears to big.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 11:54 AM
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Can you squeeze the bullet to compress it to make it fit.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 01:06 PM
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Originally Posted by abe
Can you squeeze the bullet to compress it to make it fit.
This is what I ended up doing. I bought some cheap connectors and slightly crushed them. I didn't do this in critical connections. Just the dome light.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 01:15 PM
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You are right, it should be a male bullet connector, but it seems Ford used a size that may not be so common today.

If it were me, I'd replace it with the proper Ford A-14461 or B-14486 style/size. I believe it is nominally a .180 size connector. I believe Napa stocks a .176 series that works:

14-16 AWG Male 724304
14-16 AWG Female 724114
18-22 AWG Male 724103
18-22 AWG Female 724112

The common sizes one will seem to find at predominantly the store are .157 and .197 of which neither which will mate satisfactory with the Ford .180 size. You will find posts where people attempt to make that those work by physically expanding/shrinking terminals to make things work.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 04:07 PM
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The ones I had are .157. I just took a small tapered punch and spread the switch opening ever so slightly. Now I can get them in with some effort.
 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 08:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Harrier
I have my headliner to install so I figured I would install the dome light that I have while I'm doing this.
I will need to double check how to wire it, but that shouldn't be too much of an issue. My current problem is how to mount the switch.
It looks like the switch goes into the slot pictured, but there are no holes for attaching.



My mounting location is is rough shape, but it will work for me.


If I put the switch behind the bracket, it doesn't fill up the slot on the dome light. So, how do I do this?

you have the switch on the back side. Put it on the front side as the screw go thru the switch holes and tighten in the structure
also when wanting to install with headliner. You first must take a piece of paper and tuck it in the rear glass rubber and lay it up on the structure to mark where the holes are for the light and switch mounting. Make sure you mark the glass where you installed the paper so you can put it back in the correct spot after the headliner installed
 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 09:01 PM
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Well I ran into a couple of bumps today, so I set it aside.
The switch doesn't line up with both holes in the bracket, so I can only use one screw. That shouldn't be too much of an issue.
Then the bracket has a lip, so there is no way to put my connectors on the side facing the door, that is a bit of an issue but not a deal breaker.
Finally, when I put both connectors in the switch doesn't want to move. I'm not sure what is happening there but I decided to take a break. The dome light does work with the door switch, so that is good.

 
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Old Mar 3, 2024 | 09:09 PM
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That's not an original switch
probably why it doesn't line up
yes the wires have to plug in from the side that you would think they wouldn't
 
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