dome light

[dsblack]

I am looking for options to replace my dome light. It is a crewcab, and works, but the cover is missing, and I would like something brighter.
Any ideas? Even if I use 2 1 in front, and 1 in back.
thanks

 

[highest_vision]

Have you looked at parts catalogs? There are several good out there that have parts covering your truck.
LMC, Dennis Carpenter, Green Sales (NOS/used parts/obsolete for FMC vehicles).
Good Luck
James

 

[The Warden]

Which light do you have? Is it a single light, or an assembly with a dome light in the center and map lights on either side?

If it's the latter, unless they discontinued it recently, Ford still has the cover for the light. Also...I have absolutely no complaint about my dome/map light being too dim; could something be up with yours? Maybe the bulb's old/dirty, or maybe the wrong wattage, or maybe there's a wiring issue?

Also, dumb question, but are you sure all the lights are working? Maybe they changed this with later trucks (although I doubt it), or maybe this was limited to XLT models, but my '84 also has a light in each footwell (near the door seam) in addition to the "main" dome lamp.

Just some thoughts...good luck!

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

My cab is Ranger XLT and if I have lights under the ends of the dash, I never knew it.

As many times as I have poked my head under there, working on various things, I believe I would have seen any light-housings, had they been there.

One thing I did eliminate, many many years ago, were the little door-triggers that turned the light on when the door was opened.

I never did like a bunch of lights and buzzers when I opened a door.

 

[The Warden]

I'd take pictures if I were anywhere near my truck...but they're fairly well tucked in there, particularly the one on the driver's side (which is almost directly above the right side of the E-brake bracket). If you have the factory panels on the lower dash, there's a hole where the light would shine through (but, otherwise, the light would be almost invisible except when it's on).

I don't remember the model bulb the sockets take, but they're bayonet-type and smaller than 1156. The housing is white, FWIW.

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

Goldie, being a custom, has the single dome light without the map lights.
The Beef, being a XLT, has the light combo.
I went to NAPA and ordered a dome/map light combo, from trucklight.com, for Goldie but haven't had the time to install it yet. It will put out some major light if I ever get it installed.

 

[adrianspeeder]

Check out using a '94ish up dome and map light. It's the plastic unit and once I get to it, i'll put em in the 88 and '92.

Here is the only pic I have from the '97

You must be registered for see images attach

It is a bright unit and just bolts right in.

Adrianspeeder

 

[Mr_Roboto]

If you look on eBay you can find take-offs from new SuperDuty trucks, they have 2 lights in the fixture.

 

[Ironman03R]

I have the same problem with my light being dim. Its the combo light and I'm wondering now if the cover might be discolered causeing it to look dim. I just thought it was a crappy light!

 

[Agnem]

Over on the Bronco board, they like to get the dome light out of a Mustang. Supposedly that is a pretty common upgrade, and from what I can see the Bronco and F series have the same dome light.

 

[dsblack]

I think my light was dim possibly due to a discoller issue. I looked at LMC and they said it was discontinued, So I bailed and asked here.
Some great ideas.
now another ?
What is it mounted to, more than just the headliner I would guess. How hard to add another in the back of the crew cab like in a single cab?
oh, I also have the dome light, map light combo.
And I will check the footwell for additional lights.
Looking again with your ideas in mind!
thanks

 

[dsblack]

Sill something like this work?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/99-F...tegoryZ33695QQihZ011QQitemZ320049326915QQrdZ1

 

[The Warden]

What is it mounted to, more than just the headliner I would guess. How hard to add another in the back of the crew cab like in a single cab?

The dome light mounts to the metal of the cab roof. There are support brackets that go across the roof (extended-cab trucks have two; I would guess that crew-cab trucks have three?), and the dome light has screws that are accessible with the main light cover removed.

Now, here's the kicker. There are two screws (I can't remember if these two screws are the only ones holding the assembly up or if there are others as well) that go into special rectangular inserts that are pressed into pre-made holes in the support bracket. These inserts are plastic, with metal insides so the screws are contacting metal. These special inserts serve as the electrican connections (one for the dome light, the other for the map lights) for the assembly. I can go over to my truck and take pictures if needed (my headliner's removed at the moment). But, this means that you need to source these inserts/connectors, and also limits you to one of these support brackets as far as location is concerned.

So, adding a second dome light is possible, but you'll have to get the inserts (probably best from a junkyard truck) and pull the headliner to find the support bracket you want to install it on.

That's about the best way I can describe it...this is one of those cases where a picture's worth a thousand words...maybe someone can describe it better?

 

[dsblack]

Following slowly, can you get me a picture?
Also what is involved in removing the headliner?
Thanks so much,
Doug

 

[The Warden]

I'll do what I can in the next couple of days.

Pulling the headliner is a bit of a PITA...you have to remove every trim piece surrounding it, then it should drop down. Removing the headliner from thd truck altogether is really not possible on a crew-cab without removing the windshield or rear window; no way to get it through a door without destroying the backing. So, you would need to get it as low as possible and try to work above it without damaging it...it's doable, but not easy by any stretch of the imagination...