dome light solution (euro junkyard finds)

[sennasixty8]

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:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r10/Sennasixty8/e30domelight003.jpg

vw:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r10/Sennasixty8/e30domelight008.jpg

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]

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

[sennasixty8]

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]

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]

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...

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r10/Sennasixty8/e30domelight006.jpg

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

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r10/Sennasixty8/e30domelight010.jpg

[sennasixty8]

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

[gearheadE30]

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.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u169/gearheadE30/IMG_0139.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u169/gearheadE30/IMG_0158.jpg

[sennasixty8]

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]

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]

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