Roof lights - photo diary

[Apache]

Finally got round to wiring the roof lights today - thanks for the advice freely given by forum members too numerous to mention!

I made the cable entry over the drivers side of the roof, and if you do this you only need to remove some of the headlining fixings as you can get enough space to work this way.

1) Remove rear view mirror assembly. The trim prises off from the window side of the housing. There are then two bolts and two self tappers. The interior light connector clips out easily.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...irrormount.jpg

2) Remove sun visor. Three self tappers.

3) Remove drivers side window pillar grab handle. Two bolts under plastic press in trim. Lever these out with thin flat bladed screwdriver.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ndsunvisor.jpg

4) Remove trim from window pillar / roof. Use flat bladed implement and release clips by applying pressure as close to the clip as you can.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...rimremoved.jpg

5) Headlining will now pull down enough to be able to pull cables through / tighten up whatever gland / fitting you use for cable entry. Mine is an IP68 fitting - you dont want leaks!

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...headlining.jpg

6) Drill a hole in the position you require your cable entry. This was the scary bit for me! The roof is surprisingly thin and easy to drill though and was a bit of a non-event. Deburr the hole so the gland fixings have a smooth surface to mate to.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...r/12mmhole.jpg

7) Fit your gland / loom etc.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...andloomend.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...landfitted.jpg

8) Run your cables neatly down the window pillar and into the dash. I used plastic cable ties but spirowrap would work well as the interior light cable follows the sam route.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2.../newwiring.jpg

9) The trim can now be replaced to clear a bit of space for the dash trim that needs to come off.

10) I fitted a 40A relay from a Mondeo (cos I got a load cheap) and fed this from the high beam via a switch so I can inhibit the roof lights incase plod take a dim view. There is a handy earth point behind the speaker pod (removed to do this work) where I earthed the return from the lights, and the relay.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...r/40Arelay.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ibitswitch.jpg

11) Main power was fed direct from the drivers side battery, via a 30A fuse, through a firewall grommet to the 40A relay.

12) Electrically, this is a very simple excersise, and any of the generic wiring diagrams for spot / driving lamps will probably suffice but I can post a diagram for anyone who needs it.

Once again, thanks to the folks who explained bits to me!

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...htbarfront.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...connectors.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h2...r/lightson.jpg

[BUSHWHACKER]

Excellent!
I wanna change mine for the rectangular ones like those and use my existing ones as reverse and sill/stirrup lights.
How many times did you have to close the door to let vehicles past, I'm guessing 9.









p.s. You could have given the truck a wipe down, just look at that manky bumper!

[Apache]

Excellent!
I wanna change mine for the rectangular ones like those and use my existing ones as reverse and sill/stirrup lights.
How many times did you have to close the door to let vehicles past, I'm guessing 9.

p.s. You could have given the truck a wipe down, just look at that manky bumper!

You're way off Vince! Must have been at least 30!

Yep, the truck desperately needs a wash. I'm gonna give it a damn good polish too!

[surfenstein]

theres only one problem there andy.ive got a factory fitted sunroof and it makes life a darn site harder to fit lights and wire up,could you edit posts for us fellow surfers with sunroofs.

[AndyLala]

Hmmm, very nice...

I do like that gland... where did that come from again...?
I could do with a couple of those... so I can get on and do my lights...

[Apache]

Hmmm, very nice...

I do like that gland... where did that come from again...?
I could do with a couple of those... so I can get on and do my lights...

Similar item available from Maplin Electronics.

[MattF]

Similar item available from Maplin Electronics.

They're the waterproof type with the compressible rubber insert for cable/conduit aren't they?

[Apache]

They're the waterproof type with the compressible rubber insert for cable/conduit aren't they?

Thats right. Some IP68 versions available. Should even be OK for Legendgamesmaster!

[MattF]

Thats right. Some IP68 versions available. Should even be OK for Legendgamesmaster!

They must be good then.

[Peter09]

Hi mate, Just wondering if you could give us a little help on this?

So far followed everything fine, nice guide....but how about the wiring from battery and cutting into the main beams? could you help me out some more here. Dont know where to bring the wires in from the battery and also where to splice into the main beam.
just want to be clear on all this before i start drilling.
Any help would be great thanks.

[Apache]

Hi. Its been a while, and I dont remember where precisely that I spliced into the main beam wire, but anywhere convenient will be fine as its a low current feed to the relay coil. An easy way would be to find the main beam wire from one of the lights (doesn't matter which) and then trace it back to wherever you want to splice into it. Do it at the back of the headlamp if its easiest, then run that wire to wherever you want to put the relay.

Relay location should be somewhere along the shortest route from battery to lights to keep volts drop down.

To bring the feed to the lights into the car, use one of the many grommets through the bulkhead. There's one near the top left looking from the front of the car. This is ideal. Make sure you fit a suitable fuse near the battery.