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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: dkw45 on February 03, 2009, 05:28:05 pm

Title: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: dkw45 on February 03, 2009, 05:28:05 pm

I've got a 1979 K10.  The truck had no dome light from the factory.  I'm trying to install one, but I can't seem to find a way to run the wires successfully.  I'm using a piece of 14 gauge fence wire as a fish tape.  No matter how much I mess with it, I can't seem to find a path from the dome light to someplace where I can bring the wires out and keep them hidden.  I've tried the cab corners and the front pillars.  There is no headliner. 
Is this even possible?  Any tips or tricks would be appreciated.

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: VileZambonie on February 03, 2009, 05:35:28 pm

Mechanics wire would be your best bet.

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: dkw45 on February 03, 2009, 06:17:03 pm

Quote from: VileZambonie on February 03, 2009, 05:35:28 pm

Mechanics wire would be your best bet.

I don't think there's a nickels worth of difference between what I'm using and mechanics wire other than the coating.

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: frogman68 on February 03, 2009, 06:37:51 pm

Quote from: dkw45 on February 03, 2009, 06:17:03 pm

Quote from: VileZambonie on February 03, 2009, 05:35:28 pm

Mechanics wire would be your best bet.

I don't think there's a nickels worth of difference between what I'm using and mechanics wire other than the coating.

Actually there is probably 10 bucks worth of difference

Mechanics wire is thinner and more flexible as the 14 ga wire wont fit (bend into) certain bends

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: hotrod24 on February 03, 2009, 06:48:15 pm

i have a 78 and the wires run on the drivers side down in the cab and out the corner it should be the same on your 79

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: dkw45 on February 03, 2009, 07:01:05 pm

Thanks for the advice guys. 

frogman68, I've got several rolls of 18 gauge wire, too.  I'll give the smaller wire a try.  I've seen mechanics wire in smaller gauges yet.  If nothing else works I may try some.

hotrod24, Thanks for the info.  That's where I thought I would run mine.  Looking up from the bottom with a mirror, it doesn't look like it goes through.  I can see a piece blocking the opening.

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: Captkaos on February 04, 2009, 11:52:06 am

That area is open on all of these trucks, that is where the interior lamp and cargo lamp wiring was ran.

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on February 05, 2009, 09:56:54 am

I just used a straightened coat hanger, but I went through the outside cargolamp hole, since it had a better angle.  I started in the cab corner and went upward.  also my back window wasn't in the truck which helped a lot...    I pulled the hanger all the way through and then taped the wires to the hanger, (use a lot of tape and do it so theres no place to hang up when pulling it back out) and then pulled it through slowly.

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: treepete on February 06, 2009, 11:21:03 am

 I put the dome light wire from the mounting area over to the cab corner. then I used a hanger with a hook on the end to pull it down from up in the corner area.  It took a lot of tries, but I finally got it.

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: Skunksmash on February 08, 2009, 11:41:38 pm

Be a lot easier if you put a headliner in it.

Title: Re: Installing Dome Light.......How do I pull the wires?
Post by: enaberif on February 09, 2009, 03:59:06 am

I haven't really looked yet but what is the easiest way to wire up a door switch to turn this light on and off?

And how do you plan to accomplish this?