Scratch built courtesy lights?
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Auburn, WA
Scratch built courtesy lights?
Has anybody attempted this? I’d really like to get a plunger switch or something so when I open the doors the dome light would come on. Anyone have any idea on how much work would be involved in this, and where I would splice the wires? What kind of switch for the door??? None of the dents at the salvage yard appear to have this, so I haven’t been able to any ideas on this.
My truck is the Custom Trim package...so that really means it came with dittaly squat comfort wise.
Help’s always appreciated!!!
My truck is the Custom Trim package...so that really means it came with dittaly squat comfort wise.
Help’s always appreciated!!!
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,452
Likes: 2
From: Santa Fe Tx
i guess the easiest wa in my eyes is to find an 80's model and yank the wiring and the plunger from it and install it on your truck shouldnt bee that hard, but my 1979 has a light in it my grandpa put in it out of an '84 lol
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Sheridan,OR
Karatedavid, you mean that when you open your door, you dont have a dome light that kicks on? My truck 79' f150 ranger has 2 door plungers one on each door and anytime there opened the dome light kicks on. I know you can get those at autozone, there just like a brake light switch. mine have 2 prongs on the rear, one hot, one hot when plunger is released. Run constant 12v to the plunger,and the other to a courtesy light and when you open the door it will complete the circuit and the light should come on. I hope this is what you were talking about if not please delete this post, im really exhaust but cant seem to sleep.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Has anybody attempted this? I’d really like to get a plunger switch or something so when I open the doors the dome light would come on. Anyone have any idea on how much work would be involved in this, and where I would splice the wires? What kind of switch for the door??? None of the dents at the salvage yard appear to have this, so I haven’t been able to any ideas on this.
My truck is the Custom Trim package...so that really means it came with dittaly squat comfort wise.
Help’s always appreciated!!!
My truck is the Custom Trim package...so that really means it came with dittaly squat comfort wise.
Help’s always appreciated!!!
Check basic p/n 13713.
Even if you don't have the switches, the wiring harness should have the plugs for them.
Ford p/n D3TZ-13713-A, Motorcraft p/n SW-1161
Click on the .pdf link to view.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,808
Likes: 2,604
From: The Shenandoah Valley
Yeah, my '77 has the plungers and I used some chrome plated steel trailer tag lights for courtesy lights, one each end of the dash down low. Of course mine have regular bulbs ... but I see that now you can get the same exact ligfht in LED versions.
I removed the white plastic insert in mine, makes bulb changes easier but I've never needed to yet in 20+ years.
Optronics Trailer Lights - LPL31CB
LED Mini Trailer License Plate Light, 2 Diode - Chrome Plated Optronics Trailer Lights LPL31CB
I removed the white plastic insert in mine, makes bulb changes easier but I've never needed to yet in 20+ years.
Optronics Trailer Lights - LPL31CB
LED Mini Trailer License Plate Light, 2 Diode - Chrome Plated Optronics Trailer Lights LPL31CB
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 80
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From: Auburn, WA
After looking at the door jam... AND...feeling like a total idiot I realized I do have the plunger switch and the wiring harness. I unscrewed the switches and discovered why there not working... those poor little suckers are rusted and corroded as hell... definitely not salvable. I'm going to see if some of the catalogs have a replacement part... or just run down to napa or o'reilys and get a new switch. Me getting under the dash made me a little bit enthusiastic about getting some more lights in there in the future.
Thanks guys!
Thanks guys!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport, TN
Severalyears ago, I added the "map light" from a 70's pinto to above the drivers door. The light switches on when it's extended and is adjustable for angle ( front-rear & up/down) Very minor trimming and paint to match the interior + 2 small screws - nworks great for map reading or funny books.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
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Severalyears ago, I added the "map light" from a 70's pinto to above the drivers door. The light switches on when it's extended and is adjustable for angle ( front-rear & up/down) Very minor trimming and paint to match the interior + 2 small screws - nworks great for map reading or funny books.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport, TN
Mark A. - YES - neat / compact + can be mounted almost anywhere. I have a fiberglas canopy = cleaned 2 spots w/ acetone - mounted 2 "home-made fiberglas circles and installed truck back-up ligfts inside the canopy./ Both can be switched on, and the back one can be turned on as the back window is raised by using a mercury (home AC) switch < like a light under a hood o trunk of a car.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Two Rivers, Alaska
Any trucks from this era come with that? an option maybe?
Mine don't, and if nothing factory is available to get for it, might have to do just that and get one of those tilt switches and make one...
G.
Mine don't, and if nothing factory is available to get for it, might have to do just that and get one of those tilt switches and make one...
G.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 1
From: Kingsport, TN
Hood light ?
Neede a hood light that turns on when th hood is opened ? Try getting a trunk light. These cane on a LOT of cars & should be availible at most any "pull-n-save". OR 1 can be made from a mercury switch and a stop light bulb, along with a bit of "imagineering". OR use an interior "courtesy light" usually just inside the door / under the dash. << just a few ideas to 'play' with.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
Hood Light Source
Late 80s and early 90s Broncos came with an underhood light.
I have two of them awaiting installation for each side of the engine plus alot of other wiring to do - auxiliary back-up floods, 100w offroad lights, Bosch fogs, air horns, and wheel well lights. 'been gathering fused links, junction posts, and plastic look wraps from mid 80s to early 90s F-bodies (Camaros & Firebiord/TAs) are a good source.
If I were to install interior courtesy lights, I'd look into early Mustangs and their interior "convenience" group items.
I have two of them awaiting installation for each side of the engine plus alot of other wiring to do - auxiliary back-up floods, 100w offroad lights, Bosch fogs, air horns, and wheel well lights. 'been gathering fused links, junction posts, and plastic look wraps from mid 80s to early 90s F-bodies (Camaros & Firebiord/TAs) are a good source.
If I were to install interior courtesy lights, I'd look into early Mustangs and their interior "convenience" group items.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: Two Rivers, Alaska
Good to know, I'll have to grab one from a later truck if i can find one, next time to the salvage yard..
That list sounds familiar... I have LED backup and tail lights, fog lights all waiting to be put in, ordering the offroad lights soon(2 front bumper, 4 roof..), and i got 1air horn setup installed(plays dixie) and want to do another louder semi style one too.
But I must say, I've never heard of wheel well lights.... as in, In the wheel well above the tires? What for?
I'm thinking about just getting another set of the 2" LED backup lights to mount for courtesy/dome lights, one on each side of the cab, but I want to try to find a ball/swivel mount for them if I can.
G.
That list sounds familiar... I have LED backup and tail lights, fog lights all waiting to be put in, ordering the offroad lights soon(2 front bumper, 4 roof..), and i got 1air horn setup installed(plays dixie) and want to do another louder semi style one too.
But I must say, I've never heard of wheel well lights.... as in, In the wheel well above the tires? What for?
I'm thinking about just getting another set of the 2" LED backup lights to mount for courtesy/dome lights, one on each side of the cab, but I want to try to find a ball/swivel mount for them if I can.
G.