light bar installation on '96

[Xplorer in an Explorer]

Greetings everyone
I want to install a carr light bar on top of my '96 sport. Originally, the light bar was on my '95 sport that i had to get rid of due to a bad tranny and no money to fix it Anyway, on the old truck, i had someone else install the bar, but i was the one who took it off. The problem i am having is that i dont know where to run the wire from the cabin through the firewall into the engine bay. The old model had a place to do this, but i can't seem to find one of this newer model. Is there such a place or should i just run the wire around the a pillar? Also, im affraid of tearing the molding around the door away to drill the holes to put the bar on, do i just pull them off? will i be able to snap them back into place afterwards? Is it touch to drill through the metal over the door to put the screws through? Are the widths of the 95 and 96 sport's roofs the same anyway? Havnt checked yet.
This is the first time ive tried something like this, so id just like to know if you all could inform me of these things. thanks and good day
-Will

 

[Alec]

The 95 Sport and 96 Sport should be virtually identical. There was an "expedition" option on the 95, but I don't know what that's all about. Anyway, Why do you have to drill holes in the roof? I thought those lightbars fit in the factory roof rack. If you do have to drill holes, just drill away and make sure you put silicone in the hole b4 and while you put the screws in. I would use a rubber grommet to run the wire in from the roof. Just drill the hole for the grommet, put it in, then run the wire through it. As for interior panels, most snap off and back on easily. I do have a problem with my door sill in that some of the snaps don't want to be "reset", so they need to be pried out of the channel. I'll have the dealer do it since they messed it up. Running the wire through the firewall: There's a factory grommet behind the brake pedal. You'll see factory wiring running through it. Just cut a small slit in the grommet with a utility knife, then use fish-tape or a wire coat hanger to run the wire through. Make sure to stay away from moving or hot parts. Hope this helps! Good luck!