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Adding interior lights?


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I got my MJ for dirt cheap cause it had a lot of small issues with it. It runs like a champ & I've fixed most of the issues now, but I'd LOVE to have interior lighting at night.

 

There is no place on the headliner where I can see there ever was a dome light installed. Is the wiring all up there still?

 

Also, on the dash my headlight/dash light switch doesn't have the "dimmer" effect to it that mj XJ's (pioneer trim model) does. On the XJ it has the ability to go from dim dash lights to bright dash lights, then it "clicks" over to trun on the dome light; on the MJ the "click" turns the dash lights themselves on or off w/o a dimmer.

 

Is it just limited to that? I've never owned an MJ before, just XJ's.

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MJs never got a center mounted overhead light. I've long since forgotten what the lights behind your head do. But I do remember that the SUCK, even when working properly. I use a flashlight in the 86, a battery operated "touch" light (center-mounted overhead) in the 88, and a 500 watt halogen lamp in the 90 (it's still only half-built and in the garage so I use the garage lighting). :D

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When mine are rotated up they are activated by the door/headlight switch. When they are in the center they cannot be turned on. When they are rotated down, they are truned on all the time (map lights)... Check the door switches for corrosion and connection...

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To the best of my knowledge there are no interior lights, unless there are some under the dash that I haven't seen. This is a plain-jane base model MJ.

 

So, No MJ has lighted visors or dome lights? I would think that the XJ front map lights would be pretty easy to install.

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Well, if it is plain Jane then I doubt that the kickpanel harness is even there, but yes, kickpanel lights are an option. I find it hard to beleive though that there are/were no interior lights at all in yours. I'm not calling ya a lier, its just one of those things that should've been included by the factory...

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I went to Wal-Mart and bought an inexpensive, universal dome light for mine. There's an inner channel running along the back of the roof above the rear window, so I just drilled two holes and mounted it there. I was in too much of a rush to think through what I was doing, so I just wired it to a spare toggle switch in the panel to the right of the steering wheel. (I don't think MJs typically had any switches on the right -- I got the panel out of an XJ in a u-pull yard.)

 

I ran one wire from the switch to the light, and now I have plenty of light on demand. But ... if I had been using my head, I would have run a constant hot to the light and then grounded it both through the toggle switch and through the door post switches, so it would come on when I open the doors.

 

I may get to that if the spring thaw ever arrives.

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I've never seen an MJ w/o lights in the B-pillars. Like everyone says they suck even when they work, but you can see your hand in front of your face, that's about it. The Bosch VW Beetle interior lights pop right in the same hole. The kick panels lights were an option, but your harness should be there. These lights can be had from most any XJ at the yard and plug right in. These operate off the door switches. For overhead map lights, I put in a GM rear view mirror w. built in map lights; it slides right over your existing windshield mirror mount. Ran an ignition switched hot wire up the drivers side windshield pillar. Also used this same wire to power lighted vanity mirrors I pulled from an XJ. So there are lots of options.

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The Bosch VW Beetle interior lights pop right in the same hole

Just stock replacement ones? Price, pics?? :dunno:

 

 

I put in a GM rear view mirror w. built in map lights

I also have one of these out of a 90 cutlass. Do you have it wired to come on with the doors?

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My '87 Comanche (current one of 5 so far) had the original lights yanked out by the previous owner (I found them under the bench seat) He replaced them with military lights that pop off a stand and have a coil of wire to operate. They have a dial on the back for on/brightness and the front rotates to make red lenses.

I'm looking for LED replacements for the 1895 bulbs in it now. (they get hot pretty quick) The PO also put a :USAflag: on the ceiling.

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Quote:

The Bosch VW Beetle interior lights pop right in the same hole

Just stock replacement ones? Price, pics??

 

VW Type 1 Beetle interior lights work fine, like Ebay item, #250079677937. These are 3-position, OFF, ON, DOOR SWITCHED. Here's a pic, although not a very good one:

 

vwlights.jpg

 

 

I put in a GM rear view mirror w. built in map lights

 

I also have one of these out of a 90 cutlass. Do you have it wired to come on with the doors?

 

No, just ran a hot wire to them and switch on when needed. Have plenty of light from the door switches w. the kickpanel lights and pillar lights.

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