smcdonaldaz
04-26-2011, 09:38 AM
I hated that there's so little light in my EG so I set out to find an alternative. Last week I pulled an overhead console out of a Caravan for my Cherokee and while looking for the right one I noticed that some had a small 2-light module that I thought might work so I went back to the salvage yard and grabbed one. I got it, 2 footwell lights for my Cherokee and some hitch wiring for $10. Not bad! The light is configured so that both lights come on when the door opens and when closed, each light can be turned on individually.
When you go, look for 90's Dodge Caravans. Make sure in addition to the black plastic light you get the metal mounting bracket and at least 6 inches of wire along with the connector out of the roof. There are 2 screws to loosen the bracket, then just cut away the headliner surrounding it. Aside from the 2 screws, the bracket just clamps onto the headliner. In the picture below, I have already bent up the 4 tabs that hold the bracket to the headliner.
Here's the light and bracket:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5657632243_4197ecfeb8.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5657632275_8b01818965.jpg
When you trace the lines onto the headliner be sure the bracket is positioned so that the 2 screw holes line up with the roof support. This will ensure your new light will be mounted solidly. If you mess it up it will still work but won't be as solidly mounted.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5657632267_fc3f81fa8b.jpg
Clip the connectors off the existing 2 wires and wire in the new 3 wire connector as follows:
Black --> Ground to original dome light mounting hole
Yellow --> Green/red (-) door switch
Pink --> White/red (+)
You can't see it in this pic, but the black wire is grounded under the screw in the original mounting hole. Also, you will need to unmount the connector from the light housing, lift the reflector and pull the wires from under it then put back the reflector. Otherwise the connector sits up too high and the light housing will not snap in place.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5657632259_0cfa276037.jpg
I first cut and peeled away the headliner then started cutting the fiber board backer. It took a while with the blade I used but turned out fine.
After cutting away the fiber board, position the bracket and bend over the tabs to clamp it in place. and drill the screw holes
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5657632257_091216cc80.jpg
Screw down the bracket, connect the wires, and snap the light in place! Here's how it looks installed.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5657632249_97661816b6.jpg
I love the extra light!
When you go, look for 90's Dodge Caravans. Make sure in addition to the black plastic light you get the metal mounting bracket and at least 6 inches of wire along with the connector out of the roof. There are 2 screws to loosen the bracket, then just cut away the headliner surrounding it. Aside from the 2 screws, the bracket just clamps onto the headliner. In the picture below, I have already bent up the 4 tabs that hold the bracket to the headliner.
Here's the light and bracket:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5182/5657632243_4197ecfeb8.jpg
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5184/5657632275_8b01818965.jpg
When you trace the lines onto the headliner be sure the bracket is positioned so that the 2 screw holes line up with the roof support. This will ensure your new light will be mounted solidly. If you mess it up it will still work but won't be as solidly mounted.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5225/5657632267_fc3f81fa8b.jpg
Clip the connectors off the existing 2 wires and wire in the new 3 wire connector as follows:
Black --> Ground to original dome light mounting hole
Yellow --> Green/red (-) door switch
Pink --> White/red (+)
You can't see it in this pic, but the black wire is grounded under the screw in the original mounting hole. Also, you will need to unmount the connector from the light housing, lift the reflector and pull the wires from under it then put back the reflector. Otherwise the connector sits up too high and the light housing will not snap in place.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5141/5657632259_0cfa276037.jpg
I first cut and peeled away the headliner then started cutting the fiber board backer. It took a while with the blade I used but turned out fine.
After cutting away the fiber board, position the bracket and bend over the tabs to clamp it in place. and drill the screw holes
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5657632257_091216cc80.jpg
Screw down the bracket, connect the wires, and snap the light in place! Here's how it looks installed.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5657632249_97661816b6.jpg
I love the extra light!