Map light modification
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: Southern Texas Panhandle
Map light modification
I haven't seen anyone else here with this idea (but I haven't read ALL the posts) so I thought I would pass it on.
My truck is our family "car" so we take it on all of our trips. One thing that bothered me was the map lights were too good. If the boys in the back wanted to look at something in the dark, the map lights were too bright to drive safely. I solved the problem by installing red bulbs. It takes some getting used to and you feel like you're in a darkroom but your night vision is maintained and the family can still operate at night. I left the driver's map light the standard white, if I need to use the light, I will have pulled over anyway, so bright will be fine. I couldn't find colored replacement lamps like the stock ones so I got the follow:
Victor Moodlights 211-2R from Advance Auto - $1.99/2pk
They are slightly longer and have bullet ends instead of the boxed end. Supposedly they also come in blue, green, and amber, but they didn't have any and I wanted red anyway. Be careful putting them in, they fit snug, but they do fit. I broke one by pushing on the glass bulb, part of the reason I decided to leave the driver's stock. So far so good but I'll let you know how they really work on our next extended road trip.
99 F250 SD CC
Trog
My truck is our family "car" so we take it on all of our trips. One thing that bothered me was the map lights were too good. If the boys in the back wanted to look at something in the dark, the map lights were too bright to drive safely. I solved the problem by installing red bulbs. It takes some getting used to and you feel like you're in a darkroom but your night vision is maintained and the family can still operate at night. I left the driver's map light the standard white, if I need to use the light, I will have pulled over anyway, so bright will be fine. I couldn't find colored replacement lamps like the stock ones so I got the follow:
Victor Moodlights 211-2R from Advance Auto - $1.99/2pk
They are slightly longer and have bullet ends instead of the boxed end. Supposedly they also come in blue, green, and amber, but they didn't have any and I wanted red anyway. Be careful putting them in, they fit snug, but they do fit. I broke one by pushing on the glass bulb, part of the reason I decided to leave the driver's stock. So far so good but I'll let you know how they really work on our next extended road trip.
99 F250 SD CC
Trog
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Kalispell, MT
Map light modification
Why not just remove the domelight assembly from the roof and turn it 180 degrees. Then the map lights would point towards the back seat.
Aaron.
2001 F250 PSD 6-SPD 4x4 SCMT Banks Monster Exhaust EGT, Boost, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp/Trans Temp Gauges
Aaron.
2001 F250 PSD 6-SPD 4x4 SCMT Banks Monster Exhaust EGT, Boost, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp/Trans Temp Gauges
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
From: South of you
Map light modification
I tried the red bulbs also, they did not last very long....the color sort of burned off, but when they were good, they did cut the intensity of the light. I wonder if a better bulb could be found like ones on airplane overhead lighting? I'll ask my buddy down at the airport if there is a better quality bulb for this application and post my findings.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 45
Likes: 2
From: Southern Texas Panhandle
Map light modification
Update
As CEEJAY has indicated, the coating will "burn" off. One of the boys left the light on overnight (don't they turn off automatically eventually?) and the light is now more of a redish brown. Still better than the stock white, albeit not as attractive as the red.
To answer Aarons question, the truck is a is a crewcab and it's the backseat lights that are the biggest problem.
Still looking for a tinted glass bulb, not coated like these.
As a side note, we do get some funny looks from other drivers.
Trog
As CEEJAY has indicated, the coating will "burn" off. One of the boys left the light on overnight (don't they turn off automatically eventually?) and the light is now more of a redish brown. Still better than the stock white, albeit not as attractive as the red.
To answer Aarons question, the truck is a is a crewcab and it's the backseat lights that are the biggest problem.
Still looking for a tinted glass bulb, not coated like these.
As a side note, we do get some funny looks from other drivers.
Trog
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,954
Likes: 47
From: Mesa
Map light modification
You may want to try stained glass paint(coating) from Michaels craft store. We use it at work to coat glass covers for emergency call box locations. While not on the actual bulb, I bet it would work on the 12v bulbs OK. If it burns then use a scotch brite pad to remove and re-coat. Just an idea.
