Roof Rack Lighting?

[adambodkins]

OK I have notice that alot of people have been adding lights to the roof rack and I am wanting to do so to. Would any of you be willing to possibly share your ideas with me. I am mainly interested in where you ran the wires into your ex. But It would be great for someone to show me where they ran through. I have a 2 door with sunroof if that helps.

 

[97sprt4x4]

I've also been looking into this. from what i've read up people have either just drilled into the roof, or they've run the wires down the roof in through the lift gate or through the molding on either door.

i think MustangP51 has a thread..

Hope this helps.

Justin

 

[ericautopart]

I've never done it on an Explorer but on the Xterra it was done through the A pillar..

 

[wisekise]

here ya go
here is my setup, i got the idea from this thread.....the search tab knows all
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201833

i ran the wiring down the weatherstripping, there is a gap in the fender well to under the hood for relays

 

[adambodkins]

did you have any problems with pinch points?

 

[wisekise]

did you have any problems with pinch points?

not any problems yet, but i assume the top right corner of the drivers door( 3rd pic) will eventually wear into the loom, but i check it every time i get into the truck

 

[Sandy]

Interesting way you brought the wiring in, not bad looking.

 

[wisekise]

thanks, not bad but not great either, still on the fence if i will change it or not.

 

[corkey]

there is another thread too, it is called the 10 dollar light bar,
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201833&highlight=$10+light+bar

 

[LBarr2002]

Mine are run through the door too, but i've got a 4 door and ran them through the back. It doesn't get nearly as much use as the drivers front...

 

[burtonbrd138]

I have driving lights mounted on my bumper and the wires that go to the switch go through the gap that was brought up in the fender. My mechanic said that it will cause a fire getting pinched in the door so they are not hooked up to a power source. I honestly dont know if it is true but it sure as hell scares the **** out of me thinking about my truck catching on fire.

 

[burtonbrd138]

my friend has a 94 and it runs through the drivers door. It looks......meeh, it would look better it if is better hidden than going through the door.

 

[wisekise]

I have driving lights mounted on my bumper and the wires that go to the switch go through the gap that was brought up in the fender. My mechanic said that it will cause a fire getting pinched in the door so they are not hooked up to a power source. I honestly dont know if it is true but it sure as hell scares the **** out of me thinking about my truck catching on fire.

if fused correctly that should not happen. but anything can happen i guess

 

[Paraphoe]

Here's some shots of my roof rack lights:

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1815512&postcount=10


If you check out the thread below, you can see how I ran the wiring for my CB into the cab - i have my roof rack wiring running in the exact same way right alongside the CB wire.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=187578

 

[burtonbrd138]

well it has its own fuse that is on one of the wires. So i guess there is no way to fuse it wrong.

 

[wisekise]

well it has its own fuse that is on one of the wires. So i guess there is no way to fuse it wrong.

i meant the right fuse size(amps) for the wire size and load

also is only the relay power fused, or both the relay and the switch -- or anywhere where a pinch point could cause harm to the wire's insulation

 

[burtonbrd138]

ya i am using a 15 amp with the relay and fuse both under the hood near the battery. The fuse came with the lights a and the only pinch if there is a pinch is in the door. It is only the housing getting pinched not the actually wire so.
-I got a pic of the wiring diagram and the pinch would be after the firewall at the top right hand side of the pic(sorry if it sucks, from a phone)

 

[burtonbrd138]

here is them on

 

[wisekise]

I have driving lights mounted on my bumper and the wires that go to the switch go through the gap that was brought up in the fender. My mechanic said that it will cause a fire getting pinched in the door so they are not hooked up to a power source. I honestly dont know if it is true but it sure as hell scares the **** out of me thinking about my truck catching on fire.

did you hook the switch back up to take a pic? or do you have another way to turn them on??

 

[Bill Kemp]

burtonber138, I think this wire running situation was covered in your other thread.
Run the wire thru the gromet in the firewall or follow the hood opener cable and punch a hole thru that rubber gromet to get the wire into the cab. No pics necessary if you get under the dash and look.
If a wire "could" get rubbed raw to where it will short out, it WILL.