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Adding an interior light to vinyl headliner

Posted: 14 Mar 2023, 23:47
by RCN
I’d like to add a extra courtesy interior on the right side of my cab. It’s got a soft vinyl headliner and I can feel some sort of blank behind it where it would go. Has anyone cut into this? I’ve never done this sort of thing and worried about making a wrong step and destroying the liner. Any tips, pictures, etc would be great. Thanks 

Re: Adding an interior light to vinyl headliner

Posted: 15 Mar 2023, 07:20
by mioba
Easy enough with the right tools Mark it out and use a good sharp blade to cut or a small dremmel.

Re: Adding an interior light to vinyl headliner

Posted: 15 Mar 2023, 08:09
by cobblers
The OE perforated vinyl headliners are very fragile nowadays, I would personally avoid disturbing it if at all possible as there's a really good chance it'll just rip. They're expensive and tricky to replace if you do bugger it up.

There will be a hole in the metalwork behind the headliner to accept an interior light to mirror the other side, but there won't be any wiring up to it so you'll need to fish something up the A pillar which is a total ballache!

Re: Adding an interior light to vinyl headliner

Posted: 15 Mar 2023, 09:53
by maxstu
I agree. It's one of those " l wish l never started" jobs.

However, if you do have a certain purpose for an additional cab door light, then another option is to feed wires from behind dash under windscreen rubber and try to hook it through to light hole. Depends on the lining set up your van has at present. If it's original panel van lining, then, unless you take absolute care, it could split when you push lamp into place.

Buy a head torch instead. :lol:

Re: Adding an interior light to vinyl headliner

Posted: 16 Mar 2023, 17:42
by shepster
Have to agree with the above, I've fitted a lamp in the existing hole by wiring it to the driver's side but my headlining was out at the time.