Overhead map light install (lots of pics and details)

[ginzero]

Professional looking! You got balls.. I'm too timid to cut up the interior like that!

[SwissArmySuv]

Going to do 1 more post and then let it rest ...

A number of people sounded like they are going to try this also, way to go!
You will like the results. Also, a number of you buying your lights, might
think .... I wonder if that guy will follow through with my bracket?

Well, here's the answer ... bracket making 102.



did the prelim layouts (forgot to take a picture, I had already drilled some)



drilled some holes



scored the cutoff line about 1/3 matl thickness then broke it off




cleaned up the edges



put the bracket in a vise and squared it up



came up with a "forming tool" since I don't have a press break at the house




bent the sucker over



added a 15 degree overbend to the front flange (note the high dollar gauge)



2 episodes of american chopper later ....

12 completed brackets



Hope you all enjoyed my little project, I had fun sharing it with you.

[Noisycow]

Man - you have a lot of skill and balls.

Why all the brackets? Are you selling them?

I'd be really surprised if the '08 FJC does not have improved lighting.

[SwissArmySuv]

Noisycow previously said:

Man - you have a lot of skill and balls.

Why all the brackets? Are you selling them?

I'd be really surprised if the '08 FJC does not have improved lighting.

Earlier in the post I offered a free bracket to anyone that wanted to
try the mod. I've had about 6 people that say they are gonna go
for it! I figure there may be a couple more come along after the 1st
guys give it a try.

I would agree, I'd bet there will be a couple of nice changes coming out.

Of course if they fix everything, that will eliminate some of our fun
hacking around.

[seabobsnjfj]

awesome job Swiss

[dbbd1]

Again, thanks for being the first, all of the help and the offer of freebies!!!

[mike5]

SwissArmySuv previously said:

I wanted some overhead map lights and I had done some research and
I bought a couple of things to try, of which most would not fit correctly,
etc, etc, but here is what I ended up doing .....

Bought an overhead light on e-bay out of a GMC suburban



Probed with a needle to find the front roof crossmember (wanted to stay
just forward of it and use it to mount a bracket onto)



looked from the rear to make sure everything was centered





laid out the side boundries



took a last look see before the "point of no return"



took a deep breath (after measuring about 20 more times) and cut the hole



made a mounting bracket



drilled some holes in the roof cross member



mounted the bracket



tapped into the existing overhead light (all jointes were soldered!)



fished the line to the front



spotted the light mounting holes in the bracket



mounted the light



finished up the tap



hooked the battery back up and gave it a test!




The map lights work on their own individual switches and the center
light works with the doors.

If anyone wants to try this, let me know. I actually took about 2-3
times more pictures then I actually posted, took a number of measurements,
etc. just in case someone else wants to try this and would like a little help.

Old primer mike 5 just did a ebay robot map lite 19.99.points to what i train it for,radar detector/wire free,battries, I dont speed..wink

[Son of a Son]

Great, really clean looking install.

[FJoel]

Did I mention I like it! I had an idea for my own tonight driving to the movies with my gf: Our '05 echo has a nice bright set of map lights in it, and it would look awesome in my FJ headliner! I am going to the dealer to pick one up ASAP, cutting a hole, and wiring it. Thanks for the motivation!

[SupraTuRD]

Great install and write up!