Roof light Installation Question.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 719
Likes: 1
From: Long Island USA
Roof light Installation Question.
I just installed a roof rack. I am going to put lights on the rack. My questions are about the wiring installation.
Has anyone drilled a hole in their roof to run the wires?
How did you prevent leaks?(If you did prevent them)
Does anyone have any tricks I should know about?
I intend to use a grommet and flowable silicon. If anyone knows another way or other items to use please let me know.
I am going thru the roof because I dont feel like running the wires all the way from the front of the truck along the roof to the tailgate.
Does anyone know of any websites that I can get picutres or info on how best to prevent leaks?
Thanks.
Has anyone drilled a hole in their roof to run the wires?
How did you prevent leaks?(If you did prevent them)
Does anyone have any tricks I should know about?
I intend to use a grommet and flowable silicon. If anyone knows another way or other items to use please let me know.
I am going thru the roof because I dont feel like running the wires all the way from the front of the truck along the roof to the tailgate.
Does anyone know of any websites that I can get picutres or info on how best to prevent leaks?
Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Roof light Installation Question.
Why would you go to the t/g? Is your "1999 XLT" a pickup? Why not go in the back of the cab instead of down thru the roof? It'd be a lot easier to fix if you ever removed the bar (i.e., for resale). Another option would be to drop all the way down behind the cab & go under it to the engine compartment fuse block or to a relay there. Then you have NO holes to worry about and the control wire for the relay could go thru an existing firewall grommet.
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Roof light Installation Question.
if u are lucky, u may be able to run it in middle of the roof to the back, go staight down and hide it around your rear window, down behid the box,so it is locatated underneath the truck. Then u can run it to your toggle switch, or whatever u are using to turn it on/off. That is the way i'd would do it, because i really woudent want to drill a hole in my truck.
I hope u like that idea. But if u were to drill a hole, the best thing to do is to get a gromet.
I hope u like that idea. But if u were to drill a hole, the best thing to do is to get a gromet.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Roof light Installation Question.
Places such as Western Electric sell what is called past through posts. Basically a post on each side set inside a hard plastic shell that seals the hole. You can get weather proof caps for the (power) studs.
If you do this, go with a hole in the right rear corner near the pillar post. This most likely has a place where you can reach up to whatever hole there is in the roof. Whereever you drill the hole, you want it easily accessabble to your fingers and a wrench. So, start by removing trim panels.
If you do this, go with a hole in the right rear corner near the pillar post. This most likely has a place where you can reach up to whatever hole there is in the roof. Whereever you drill the hole, you want it easily accessabble to your fingers and a wrench. So, start by removing trim panels.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 719
Likes: 1
From: Long Island USA
Roof light Installation Question.
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 09-Jan-03 AT 07:55 AM (EST)]Sorry, I forgot to mention it is an Expedition.
Rebo, do you have their web adress I tried a couple and come up empty. Thanks.
Rebo, do you have their web adress I tried a couple and come up empty. Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Roof light Installation Question.
I think I'd remove one of the roof rack rails (assuming it has one) and put the wire thru the roof there so it wouldn't be visible if I ever deleted it. Otherwise, I'd probably go into the door jamb and either go behind the door gasket or thru the accordion boot for all the door wiring.
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