Adding an interior light.....easy?

[spdbrd]

Hi all,
I've got an 86 autosleeper, (transporter) so passenger side doesnt have an interior light.
I was prodding about the other day and am sure i can feel the housing for a light o fit in behind the head lining.

Before i go mental and either cut or pull the headlining away does anyone know if the supply wires are there?
I imagine they would be as possible vdub fitted all vans with the same basic loom?

If any ones know and can let me know that would be magic.


Cheers
Scott

[weldore]

What you really meant to say was...


Will someone else cut their head lining and see if theres wires there and let me know.

[1664]

There is a small plastic courtesy light sized plug in the hole so you could put another courtesy light in there (I have). I did mine while I had the headlining removed for another reason though
It was a while ago now, and to say the least my memory is hardly reliable; you certainly wouldn't want to be relying on it in a court of law let's put it that way, but I believe a small wiring harness does pass through there. I didn't want to cut into it only to find the wiring wasn't there or cause any damage so I simply ran a cable (3 core) from the driver's courtesy light round to the passenger side via the 'B' pillar roof cross member. There is already a wiring harness that uses that route I believe.
This saved a lot of ar$ing about struggling to get a 12v feed and earth up there and a switchwire down to the passenger door pillar switch. After all, the passenger door operates the light over the driver's door already so will do the new one too if you use those connections.
Whilst that method was easy with the headlining removed, it's not so straightforward with it still attached. Can you get at the back of the headling by the 'B' section roof cross member? You'd only have to detach a couple of inches worth to be able to use that route; otherwise it's running a 12v feed and earth and a switchwire via the 'A' pillar on the passenger side.
I can pop out my passenger side light and check to confirm there is a harnesss behind there but that still won't confirm there's any cable wrapped up in there specifically for another light......

[what2do]

Only today, I happened to see the plastic piece that fills the cut-out where the light would be on a LHD. I plan to put in an extra light and a few in the rear, I was wondering if anyone had purchased the LED replacements for festoon type bulbs? If so, are they up to much? Cheers.

[Allanw]

My van is a Kombi model. I fitted the lights, but had to run wires - they were not in there already. I now have 4 interior lights

I didn't buy festton replacements - I brought 10mm superbright LEDs and soldered 4 inline and fitted them into the housing - REALLY bright!

http://www.dealextreme.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; have some good ones I fitted to other cars that are very bright and have a large array of LEDS and a small lead and adapter to fit the festoon connector. I squeezed one into my Beetle lamp, so should fit the van.

[Hacksawbob]

Yes I have a festoon LED for the drivers courtesy light, brighter and whiter but not enough to do much with in the back of the van. as fo rthe earth you can make it in the metal of the light surround with a rivet or similar

[1664]

I have LED 'festoon' lamps in all three. The one in the rear provides a nice low light level - enough to find your way about but not enough to search for stuff etc (but then neither was the original tungsten festoon lamp that was in there). I use the camper lights if I need to see in detail.

Having two up front gives a really good illumination

[what2do]

Am liking the positivity on the subject, especially as they appear to be cheap as chips on ebay. Are they all the same quality/standard, any recommendations? Cheers.

[California Dreamin]

I went for the 16 LED type....very pleased.

Like these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Car-Inter ... 4d07ad20df" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Martin

[what2do]

Just the jobbie, will get some ASAP. Any ideas where I could pick up a few of the actual lights? Cheers.

[faggie]

be carefull of the cheap ones from abroad most of them only last a matter of weeks

[1664]

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... gory_id=51" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;