Underhood Lights/Lamps

[IdahoMan]

I realize I'm going to want/need a light for my engine area.

What underhood lighting did our trucks come with in their time if any? (I've seen a kind of "retractable" style light while searching other sites.)

What kind of underhood lights do you all have? If attached to the hood itself: how/where did you mount it, and where would it be wired to?


Sincerely,
IdahoMan

[blazing816]

I do not believe they came on our trucks (someone will correct me if I'm wrong) but your best bet is to get one that when its level it turns off and all you have to do is run a ground and a wire to fuse panel that is always hot. Those type of lights is what are mostly install in cars/trucks, they turn on when hood is lifted and the turn off when closed because then the light is level (if mounted correctly). I am sure local auto parts store sell generic ones.

[gildardo01]

actually they did come in our trucks... here´s a picture of a retractable hood lamp... straight from the factory... its the bulb looking thing besides the evaporator ac box....

[blazing816]

Wow I stand correct, I own three truck and none of them have one and I never seen one, thanks for picture.

[IdahoMan]

Thanks Gild..

Here's another picture of one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/73-87-CHEVY-TRUCK-BLAZER-FACTORY-RETRACTABLE-UNDER-HOOD-TROUBLE-LIGHT-/290876223566?ViewItem=&item=290876223566&nma=true&si=yEgePIV48SdgNwthEkl0jvHjBt8%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

If those are the originals for our vehicles I might consider going that rout (if I can find one OEM) rather than the generic hood-mounted versions.

[bd]

The first one of those 'extension lights' I ever encountered was on a '94 (next generation body style).  Never saw one on a square body from the factory.  If you look at the connector, it's a Metri-Pack configuration.  Metri Pack didn't come into use until the 90s.  The weak aspect of the plastic retractable style lamps is the lever that locks the lamp housing into the main body of the fixture.  It tends to snap in half at its thin point between the lever pivot and the anchor pin.  The thin part of the lever isn't shown in the pics posted on e-Bay. 

The few square bodies that came from the factory with engine bay lights used the metal reflector type lamps that fastened to the hood and were controlled by an integral mercury switch.  At one time GMC marketed a nifty kit to install an engine bay lamp on vehicles built without them.  That style of lamp was powered through an in-line fuse directly off the firewall junction stud.

[mdws1987]

I had that retractable light on a 1989 pickup... I bought and installed the reflector lamp with the mercury switch on the '87.. I has to be adjusted to shut off when the hood is closed... Well, I had problem with it. I had a dead battery the next morning after having the  hood up the night before in my garage. So, I adjusted the  light so that it would NOT shut off and then wired a small on/off switch into the batt lead to the light. The switch is mounted beside the light. Now it will only be on when i need it.....

[pholliday1]

X2 on what BD said I actually kept a few underhood lights (oem retractable) it was acually a pretty good setup that had enough cord to reach the rear tire.But it was early 90's stuff.

[roger97338]

My particular 1975 didn't have an engine compartment light, and I don't know if it was an option. I wired in one of those later model retractable lights because it seemed like it would be handy. I also have a Mag-Lite that stays with the truck, because that underhood light won't do me any good if I have electrical problems.

[zieg85]

1991 Chevy Suburbans, Crew Cabs and Blazers all had them, same body style... but were not offered before the model style change in 1988 that I know of.

[Captkaos]

1988-1991 Burb's Blazer and pickups had them...