Some where during the 6 hours of detailing done to the Raider Memorial day morning, I picked up some HID Style Off-Road Lights. They are the little blueish oval jobs. But since my dome light sucks, and I need some off-road spot lights I figured I would kill 2 birds with one stone. There have been many times when I have been night wheeling and we had to hunt for something in the Raider in dim light, and so many times night wheeling when I needed some extra light to shine on obstacles.

So the idea came to a buddy of mine to use a hinge to make the lights dual purpose. The idea consists of using a hinged brackets that attach right above the sliding windows one on each side.


My litte Fireworks 8 diagram I whipped up

The question is, how to get it to support the weight of the light and keep it locked in one place (either outside or inside). My buddy had the idea of using springs, and I personally thought we might have to go as far as using a removable L bracket to keep it in one place. After work tomorrow (today rather) I am going to pick him up and ride to Home Depot and ask around and see what we come up with. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I don't know how else to explain it. Last time I remember if you try to hang something from a hinged plate, it will just hang there vertically. In order for it to sit level it needs to have support. The light needs to sit level inside the vehicle, then be able to swing out and sit level outside the vehicle. I re-did the images so you can hopefully see what I am saying.


This is a view as if your sitting in the back seat looking forward:

This is a view as if your look at the vehicle from the side:

If I understand correctly, the light is mounted inside the truck - what happens if someone is sitting in the back seat and the vehicle is in an accident? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />

Frank

You might be better off with a small tripod "Ball head"
Then you can point any way you want.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...p;amp;addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

I would think that having your auxillary lights that far back on the body, would cast a huge shadow over what your trying to see in front of you. You would definatly get some good periferal lighting though. Those in combination with front mounted lights might killer. However.....How obnoxious is thet going to be as an interior light....Damn! I'M BLIND!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

PS I keep a Mag light under the drivers side, even though my interior lights work fine. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Just replace your dome lamp with something better and rig up a switch on the dash to ground the door sensor so you can turn it on whenever you want. You can get a really bright dome lamp at NAPA for under $15.

Mount those on the front bumper and get a flash light. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I personally would not like lights right there.

Nice diagram.

Not sure how you could get the hinge setup to work reliably unless it was designed with long term use in mind.

To solve this "lighting" issue I keep a 2D cell mag light mounted next to my parking brake. I also have a head lamp in the driver side pocket. I also have 3 sets of lights outside.

I like the idea of replacing the oe lamp with a better one so long as I don't have to rewire anything that's a great solution IMHO.

Alternatively they may super bright LED bulbs to replace the stock dome light bulb.

For the interior lighting, check out the Grote or Balkamp catalogs. Exterior driving lights are not what you want for the interior. In a postal Jeep I had, the interior dome light used an 1156 bulb, it was darn bright. If you have no wrecking yards locally, you can still order that fixture from Leon Rosser Jeep parts.

To simplify your hinge idea, if you go down that path (haha, humor), remove the hinge pin and replace it with a fine threaded bolt and wing nut. Still, eyes beware... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />