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Installed a front dome light between map lights


LEGA-C-YA

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I wanted more interior lighting up front but I didn't want to lose the independent operation of the 2 map lights so I installed a new light between the two map lights.

 

First I built a socket to hold an 1-1/4" bulb and fastened it to the metal above the middle of the front dome assembly. I wired this back to the dome light above the rear seats to come on when the doors are opened.

 

Then I modified the front dome assembly to create an opening at the front portion of the assembly right at the middle. To make enough room for the new light I removed the the metal strip connecting the 2 map lights and bent it over so it was behind the passenger seatbelt warning light assembly. Once that was out of the way I cut away the dome assembly about 1-1/2" wide from the front lip back to the front of the seat belt light assembly. This removed the center tab that holds the dome assembly to the headliner to create an opening for the light to shine through.

 

Finally, I removed the solid plastic piece that sits inside the front dome cover (the piece that has the opening cut out to let the map light bulbs shine down) and removed an 1 -1/2" piece in the center. Overall I was careful to leave a 1/2" space between the bulb and any part of the car to allow for the heat from the bulb. I am going to get a higher wattage lamp then the one I have currently installed.

 

The result is just what I wanted. A front dome light bewteen the two map lights that lights the inside front of the car. This should have come standard on the car.

771851368_domelight2.JPG.6e0ed4ea8db19440152267be120c875f.JPG

399490463_domelighta.JPG.60ba7e4b15fe17b1e5c5f8242ec2e613.JPG

386805839_domelightb.JPG.029748a92c02304541269d7bb2c9ff69.JPG

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im just wondering if the new front dome light provides the same amount of light as the middle dome light. I can't tell how bright it is from that picture. Looks like you did a nice job of making it look straight from the factory. Do you have a picture of the socket?
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They solder easily. You just scape the bars a little with sandpaper and then apply flux and heat and the solder sticks. It will not come loose.

 

Willhttp://webpages.charter.net/lewishome/light05.jpg

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Nice Job. Are the diodes inside the black tubing?

Yes. I used some 1 amp diodes that I had. Somebody said that the front light were only 8 watts. So 8 watts divided by 12 volts = .6666666 amps. or by 14.4 volts is only a .5 amp draw.

 

Will

 

http://webpages.charter.net/lewishome/outbackmaplight01.JPG

 

http://webpages.charter.net/lewishome/outbackmaplight02.JPG

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