Author Topic: dome light solution (euro junkyard finds) (Read 6984 times)

sennasixty8 · « **on:** April 08, 2008, 10:30:09 PM »

I've modified my check panel (plain one with no buttons) with a dremel, making it into basically a frame for the following dome lights:

85-86 MBZ 190e
1990-1993 VW Corrado
both assembled and made by Hella.

mbz:

vw:

Both of these require running 12v switched fr your drivers side dome light (easy to do).

There is LOTS of light, in the right places... The Corrado light has a nice drivers angled map light that can come on automatically with the main lense, or is easily switched off.

I hope this shows yet another idea!:D

PartsCar · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2008, 10:35:38 PM »

i like that corrado light. did it take much to fit it?

sennasixty8 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2008, 11:01:55 PM »

took all of ten minutes of "dremel-ing" the center of my check panel (inside and face).

btw, if you're scared you'll mess it up, pickup a spare at the junkyard while your there, and hack away....

the lights shown are "ALMOST" a perfect fit, the only reason I re-used the OEM panel was to fill in the slight gaps, and ended up with a nice tight fit. No squeaks, rattles or otherwise (IF you trim carefully).

Cobra Jet · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2008, 08:11:05 AM »

How does the VW dome stay in the panel? What I mean is, after modifying the existing panel, does the VW dome light have clips, screws or plastic prongs that grab the modified panel, which keeps it secured and from dropping out?

Any pics of the back side of the "new" dome?

I guess I would have an advantage as far as hooking up the wires from a different dome, because I have a 318ic. The 318ic's already has a small factory dome light already in place in the overhead panel, so I would just tap whatever other dome light into the existing harness.

sennasixty8 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 09, 2008, 07:10:34 PM »

Quote from: Cobra Jet;46565

How does the VW dome stay in the panel? What I mean is, after modifying the existing panel, does the VW dome light have clips, screws or plastic prongs that grab the modified panel, which keeps it secured and from dropping out?

Any pics of the back side of the "new" dome?

when dremeling the panel, you need to take material away slowly, just enough to keep it tight. At that point, the checkpanel keeps tension against the new dome assembly, and holds it all in snug.

pics:

back side...

kool action foto, close your eyes then open them... see how it turns on and off?

;)

sennasixty8 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 09, 2008, 07:11:33 PM »

I didn't bother hooking up the delayed pc board side of the wiring... 12v goes to red, ground to brown wires...

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 10, 2008, 08:49:20 PM »

Cool. I think they would look better if you didn't keep the panel behind it. Here's mine, from a chevy silverado. Fits perfectly in the hole, has 2 maplights that are actually aimed in the right place, and is really bright.

sennasixty8 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 11, 2008, 07:48:41 PM »

hmmmm. aimed in the right place?

anyways, I don't want any GM products in my car. To each his own.

I call it: "dDm" LOL!

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2008, 07:49:24 PM »

I used to think the same way, but I decided that some of the parts are of decent quality even if they come off sub-par cars. Plus, the parts are really chap and about the only thing to be found in Indiana

ClodKing · « **Reply #9 on:** June 19, 2008, 06:12:30 PM »

What year silverado is that from??

I personally like GM products. And I agree with gearheadE30, as long as the part is of good quality, it fits, and is cheap, then I'm game:D

BMWManiac · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2008, 09:16:24 AM »

Yeah, what year and can you do a DIY for wiring it up? Can you just use the wires from the existing connector?

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 08, 2008, 11:02:55 AM »

These are the years and models that have this dome light:
FITS:
1988-1991 LIGHT DUTY C TRUCK CONV CAB 4X2
1992-1996 LIGHT DUTY C TRUCK CONV CAB 4X2
1997-2002 LIGHT DUTY G VAN FULL SIZE
1988-1991 LIGHT DUTY K TRUCK CONV CAB 4X4
1992-1996 LIGHT DUTY K TRUCK CONV CAB 4X4
1992-2002 MEDIUM DUTY KODIAK - TOPKICK
2003-2004 MEDIUM DUTY MODEL C4500/C5500

I did not use the existing wiring because I wanted the lights to come on when I opened the door, so I ran wires above the headliner to the driver's side dome light. I had some 3-lead wire, so I ran that to ground, door switch power, and 12v constant. The door switch power is hooked to the center light and the maplights through diodes so that all 3 lights come on when the door is opened. The diodes prevent reverse electrical flow, though, so when I hit the maplight switch, only that maplight comes on. The lights are very brights, but I had to make a custom center light with parts from radioshack because the ebay auction didn't come with all of the parts. For $5, though, I'm not complaining.

BMWManiac · « **Reply #12 on:** July 08, 2008, 03:48:51 PM »

I may have to come up to Indiana and have you hook me up....beer and pizza work?

gearheadE30 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2008, 03:14:17 PM »

Lol, it would, but I'm 17 and I live with my parents. I could help you wire it up, though. Damn, I wish I was still in Germany. The beer is amazing over there!!!

BMWManiac · « **Reply #14 on:** July 20, 2008, 06:48:01 PM »

Yeah, I don't want to end up in Jail! And the beer is amazing....I was fortunate enough to go to high school in germany....