Roof Rack Lights

Ducky · 07-29-2003, 10:07 AM

So anyone got Pics... of where the heck to run wires for roof mounted lights? and where they grounded it?

<stares at Corey>

Anyone?

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Lucky · 07-29-2003, 10:31 AM

Ducky

The one I saw ran the wires up from the engine bay, into the fender and up where the stock aerial used to go using some flexible conduit.

On mine with the rear window spoiler I'm going to run mine out under the spoiler where the cabling comes out for the high level brake light. Then I will run it along the roof rack via flexible conduit (or maybe inside the roof rails (mine are hollow aftermarket ones). I'll put a connector under the spoiler so that the whole lot can be removed as one.

I have also heard of people running the cable up the inside of a Snorkel.

Cheers

jacksonpt · 07-29-2003, 11:55 AM

Check out my webpage. I run them along the rack, along the rear hatch opening, then under the carpeting to the front of my rig where I wire them to a switch and ground them.

***Corey*** · 07-29-2003, 12:40 PM

This is the way I did my roof lights a few years ago.

Works for me.

Ducky · 07-29-2003, 01:24 PM

Corey...

Did you run both the wire for the positive and negative or did you ground it somewhere up top? and just ran the one hot wire to splice it...

***Corey*** · 07-29-2003, 01:55 PM

Both wires are run down together side by side, and the ground is in the engine bay.

be_deviler · 07-29-2003, 03:12 PM

pop the end cap off the front of your roof rack rails. see that hole? goes right down the pillar to the engine bay. use plenty of sealant, and voila! a nice, clean roof install of some pretty lighting.

assuming you have a roof rack, that is.

-bd

transalper · 07-29-2003, 07:41 PM

I tried routing the wires through the holes under the factory roof rack rail cap, but couldn't get the wires to cooperate. I ended up doing the same thing as Corey (BTW, thanks Corey!), except I grounded the lights to the rack and only had to run one positive engine wire to the engine bay.

***Corey*** · 07-29-2003, 11:53 PM

I just have one + & - wire going down the pillar also.
The lights are tied into each other on the roof.

The wire behind the weather stripping is holding up really great.
Better than I thoguht it would.

transalper · 07-30-2003, 05:49 AM

just to clarify, i just have one + going down the pillar. no - because the lights are grounded to the rack.

szf2 · 07-30-2003, 11:51 AM

Not sure how 3rd generations are, but for my 2nd gen I ran a positive wire from the engine bay, though the firewall, then up along the inside of thee roof where the factory wires for the sunroof are (drivers side). I then drilled a small hole to run the wire out of and grounded the lights to the roof rack. Sealed the hole with 100% silicone and its ready to go. If you have a factory wiring hole, though, I would definitely use that. Also, I would use a relay to trigger the power on and off.

Heres is a pic of the wire coming out of the roof, the relay near the master cylinder, and (had to throw it in) the finished roof rack.

be_deviler · 07-30-2003, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by transalper
I ended up doing the same thing as Corey (BTW, thanks Corey!), except I grounded the lights to the rack and only had to run one positive engine wire to the engine bay.

excellent jay. what the hell, corey's methods are tried and true. as long as you got the performance and look you wanted, you're ahead of the game.

-bd

07-29-2003, 10:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
Lucky Contributing Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Hemel Hempstead, UK Posts: 88	Ducky The one I saw ran the wires up from the engine bay, into the fender and up where the stock aerial used to go using some flexible conduit. On mine with the rear window spoiler I'm going to run mine out under the spoiler where the cabling comes out for the high level brake light. Then I will run it along the roof rack via flexible conduit (or maybe inside the roof rails (mine are hollow aftermarket ones). I'll put a connector under the spoiler so that the whole lot can be removed as one. I have also heard of people running the cable up the inside of a Snorkel. Cheers __________________ Andy 1993 Toyota Hilux Surf (Japanese 4 Runner), 2.4 Turbo Diesel, Custom flush mount rear fog lamps, Ring front fogs and spots, Thule Roof Rack, Arrigoni and De Angelis roof rails, Sony Double DIN stereo, IPAQ GPS system.

07-29-2003, 11:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
jacksonpt Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Binghamton, NY Posts: 2,753	Check out my webpage. I run them along the rack, along the rear hatch opening, then under the carpeting to the front of my rig where I wire them to a switch and ground them. __________________ Jackson - My Site 96 SR5 4x4 - 33" MTs, open diffs, and 3.90s - LET'S ROCK! My runner has bee traded in sniff on an 06 SR5 long bed d-cab Tacoma. The tacoma is nice, but... sniff ... I'll update my site when I'm done grieving.

07-29-2003, 12:40 PM	#4 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	This is the way I did my roof lights a few years ago. Works for me. __________________ Corey 2007 FJ Cruiser Built for 4wheelin', expedition, camping, and overlanding use PNW FJ Cruisers ☺ Detailing 101 ☺ Join Topsites ☺ Muffler Comparisons ☺ Maggiolinas In The Wild FJ Cruiser Buildup ☺ New Roof Top Tent ☺ Video Of My Penthouse Part II ☺ Rehinge Your ARB/Engel Fridge Blog About Roof Top Tents ☺ FJC Magazines Online Review Of My Tent ☺ 2009 Specialized Rockhopper Pro

07-29-2003, 01:24 PM	#5 (permalink)
Ducky Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Marysville Posts: 670	... Corey... Did you run both the wire for the positive and negative or did you ground it somewhere up top? and just ran the one hot wire to splice it... __________________ - Ducky "Stupid a$$ VSC!!!" www.djducky.com '01 4Runner SR5 Sport. Amsoil 2Stage filter, Deckplate, Rear Diffbreather, SAW's in front, OME's in rear, Revtek Diff Drop, BFG Mud Terrain, 4' K40, Cobra 18WX, DRL Mod, ARB Tacoma Bull Bar, 6x Lightforce 170's, Demello Sliders, Sylvania Silverstars, Custom Roof Rack, Viair 450c, ARB Air Locker in Rear, Warn 9.5XP, Optima Yellow, Custom Framerail End's, ORS Manual Hub Conversion, Icom 2720H

07-29-2003, 07:41 PM	#8 (permalink)
transalper Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 430	I tried routing the wires through the holes under the factory roof rack rail cap, but couldn't get the wires to cooperate. I ended up doing the same thing as Corey (BTW, thanks Corey!), except I grounded the lights to the rack and only had to run one positive engine wire to the engine bay. __________________ Jay - 97 4Runner SR5 V6 Auto Air/E Lockers, OME, Revos, ARB bull bar, Superwinch X9, sliders, etc . . .

07-29-2003, 01:55 PM	#6 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	Both wires are run down together side by side, and the ground is in the engine bay.

07-29-2003, 03:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
be_deviler Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 46	pop the end cap off the front of your roof rack rails. see that hole? goes right down the pillar to the engine bay. use plenty of sealant, and voila! a nice, clean roof install of some pretty lighting. assuming you have a roof rack, that is. -bd

07-29-2003, 11:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
*Corey* Co-Founder/Administrator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 26,071	I just have one + & - wire going down the pillar also. The lights are tied into each other on the roof. The wire behind the weather stripping is holding up really great. Better than I thoguht it would.

07-30-2003, 05:49 AM	#10 (permalink)
transalper Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: MN, USA Posts: 430	just to clarify, i just have one + going down the pillar. no - because the lights are grounded to the rack. __________________ Jay - 97 4Runner SR5 V6 Auto Air/E Lockers, OME, Revos, ARB bull bar, Superwinch X9, sliders, etc . . .

07-30-2003, 11:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
szf2 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NY Posts: 80	Not sure how 3rd generations are, but for my 2nd gen I ran a positive wire from the engine bay, though the firewall, then up along the inside of thee roof where the factory wires for the sunroof are (drivers side). I then drilled a small hole to run the wire out of and grounded the lights to the roof rack. Sealed the hole with 100% silicone and its ready to go. If you have a factory wiring hole, though, I would definitely use that. Also, I would use a relay to trigger the power on and off. Heres is a pic of the wire coming out of the roof, the relay near the master cylinder, and (had to throw it in) the finished roof rack. Last edited by szf2; 07-30-2003 at 11:55 AM.

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