I recently purchased a pair of interior "under dash" lights for my truck on eBay. Even though I had no problem at all with finding the proper connectors to hook them up. My problem is that I don't have any idea at all about where the correct mounting locations may actually be. I know that these lights do need a frame ground to work properly. However, none of the locations that I've tried so far seem to look right.

So, rather than continuing to frustrate myself by wasting any more time trying to find the right place on my own. I figured it was about time for me to do what I should have done in the first place.

It's time once again for me to call in for some relief from the the FTE "bull pen"!! Especially since I'm very sure that one of you experts out there will be able to answer this inquiry in much less time than I've already spent on my own!

Any assistance with this subject, will be gratefully accepted and sincerely appreciated.

"75 SuperCab"

 

The mounting locations are in the lower dashboard edge, about a foot in from each side. They have three holes in a triangular position, with the center one having an insert pressed or welded in with a tapped hole for the main mounting screw. The other two holes receive the locating ears on the lights.

 

What is the part number on the Underdash Lights?


I just looked through my wiring diagrams for the 1975, and I do not see the Under Dash Courtesy lights mentioned.

Infact I don't see the Under Dash Courtesy lights mentioned until the 1977 model year.


Does the Under Dash Courtesy light, have a part number that begins with "D7...." by any chance?


What I'm thinking, (with my Ford diagrams as evidence) is that the mounting holes that n9thm, mentioned may not be on your dash, because the option may not have been avaliable until 1977.

I'm not 100% certain on this, but it looks like a good possibility with the information I have at the moment.

You may have to drill holes for it to work for you.

Hope this helps.

 

Good point on them maybe being model year dependent. My truck is a '76, and has the mounting holes, the '76 truck brochure shows them, but maybe they were new for '76.

 

Mines a 79 there are under the dash curtosy lights 0.o? i'll have to go look on mine I never knew, but maybe mine doest have any

wouldnt they be an option? unlike now where they are basically standard

 

The 70's version is a white plastic housing with a metal tang for mounting.
It was originally designed for the 75 Large Ford cars D50B-13707-BA stamped on it.




The 80's version has a grey plastic hooded shroud housing on it

Actually they are mounted just 3-4" inside the outer end of the underdash.



Passenger side : The harness runs thru the plastic Runner (just above heater control) between the glove compartment and the cluster opening.

The harness plugs in to the brown connector behind the cluster left side (Dome light circuit)





See brown connector in bottom Pic.

They come with the convenience/lighting package on Lariats & XLT's mainly.

Would you like a pic of what they look like & where they are supposed to go ?

 

Yes there was a lot of changes made between 1973 and 1979.


The Under Dash Lights were part of the Optional Courtesy Light Group.

An example of what it may include:

Glove Box Lamp
Cargo Lamp
Underhood Lamp
Under Dash Courtesy
Ash Tray Lamp


And I know it was year dependant on what you got.

Thanks Dennis, the part number D5OB-13707-BA is the same exact part on my 1981 as well.

When that part number is decoded it reads as follows...

D5 = 1975
O = Torino (earlier Fairlane)
B = Body Part
-
13000 numercal series = Lamps.
-
BA = Revision


So the part was first designed for the 1975 Torino, and has had several revisions since.

If I were to make a guess, that would make the 'Torino part', first avaliable for, but not necesserily used on the 1975 truck year. Since the part was orignially designed for the 1975 Torino, according to my decoder, it's more than likely that it would show up on 1976 or newer trucks, as the designers think, "Hey we can use that on the pickups too!" etc...


The absence of the Underdash Courtesy lamps in the 1975 wiring diagram also suggest that it was not an option on the 1975, pickup, therefore no mounting holes for it.

I know my 1973 didn't have the option, or the holes. So I believe this is why the original poster cant find the mounting holes, because there is none.

This is my guess.

 

Here's what I do & don't know about my 75 SuperCab

I don't really know if the under dash lights were an available option on the 75 model truck or not. What I do know, is that they were NOT included as part of the standard "Ranger" package. I also know that since my truck has both the "pre-drilled" mounting holes, as well an extra electrical connector available for the interior lighting circuit. Thanks to the information provided, It sure looks to me like I'll have no problem at all with setting up my truck with this particular option.

I can't express enough how much I appreciate all of the outstanding responses to this inquiry!

As I've said in the past:

YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST FRIENDS THAT MY TRUCK COULD EVER HOPE TO HAVE!

MANY THANKS TO YOU ALL, FOR YOUR EXPERTISE & SUPPORT!

Larry Bailey a.k.a. "75 SuperCab"

 

Thanks for taking the time to respond back.

We learn just as much from you as you do from us.

Thank you for responding back.

 

I just located my 1975 Ford Truck Brochure and lists the Convenience Group (Standard on XLT's)

The first 4 things listed are:

1) Cargo Light
2) Glove Compartment Light
3) Two Courtesy Lights
4) Ash Tray Light


So I suspect the Lighting option group was available for the 75 model year in other trim lines.

You can see it listed here for the 76 truck

http://storm.tocmp.com/ford/pickup/1976/1415.jpg

Last Pic at bottom Under "Options"

Btw, You're more than welcome.

 

actually, those lights were available way before 75, at least in the car lines.
they were an option on the 65 falcon. i have them in mine.

 

Yes they were.

Only the design was different.

Back then.. the Light socket was actually a oblong shaped design with a round cavity style socket ...something like the 70's License Plate Light socket.

 

My 78 custom has them.


Jeff

 

I just installed the under dash courtesy lights on my 75 explorer! What a breeze it was to install. In fact my truck even had the lower mounting holes so it appears that it was a 75 option.

While the dash was apart, I also installed the dome light harness for a cargo light, and I installed intermittent wipers. All were plug-ins. You just have to find the parts at the junk yard or ebay.

 

Old thread, I know, but I too have the courtesy lights (from Ebay also) and though I can see where to install them under the dash, the wiring harness location for the plug in escapes me. I already installed the glovebox light and the ashtray light, but cannot find a plug receptacle for the courtesy lights to plug in to. I "thought" it was very near where the ashtray light plugs in, but? Help?
Thanks!
Dak