A basic wiring question...

[Opus]

Well... that didn't take long...

Went out today to start mocking everything up so I could get the measurements for the wiring. I tried to mount the light bracket and discovered the hole that allows it to bolt to the cowl is too small to reuse the OEM bolt. No problem. I bust out the step bit and widen the hole. But then I discover that the flange is too thick to reuse the OEM bolt regardless. The thickness of the metal won't allow the threads to engage at all. But by now, of course, having widened the hole to try to use the OEM bolt... yep... the bolt that came with it is now too small...

I considered a trip to the hardware store for a Goldilocks bolt that's juuuust right, but I want this to look clean as well as function. So, I'm going to find a better bracket. I'm thinking this one:

https://www.amazon.com/MWNYO-Bracke...ff-cdee4e1f3cd8&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m

Looks like it should work. It attaches only to the cowl bolts rather than the window hinge like the first one did (no worries damaging a painted hinge bolt) and it's supposed to be able to use the OEM cowl bolts on the Jeep.

So, another delay...

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[Opus]

Success!

Hookup was pretty straightforward. The only hiccup I ran into was trying to get both red and both black wires to fit into the 14-16 gauge connectors. Even though the wire I ordered was 16 gauge, it was thicker than I expected. I essentially had to twist/thread the connector on and then crimp it before heat shrinking it in place. For connecting the light pigtails to their run of wires I added in a sleeve of black shrink wrap both to hide the blue butt connectors and give another layer of weatherproofing.

The lights are wired to AUX 4 (purple/blue wire in the loom) and I have them programmed currently to only work with the ignition on. They are very bright for as small as they are. We'll see how durable they are over time.

 

[JJ_WA]

This is a very useful thread. Thanks for posting the question(s) and thanks for the excellent responses. I've bookmarked this one as I am sure I'll be referring to it in the future!

Well, the manual describes the wiring bundle as being under the instrument panel, along with the first picture.

Looking in my Willys, and before I start cutting the taping away, does this look to be the right place for the wiring?

The bundle looks to be coming from the center of the dash (to the left is the transmission hump) running right, then wrapped with black electrical tape and brought back towards the center before ending in the loom-type tape. There are no loose wiring on the kick pane side of the passenger foot well. This bundle seems to be considerably bulkier than the first picture, which looks like a single wire containing all of the Aux wires and power.

Thoughts?


e.

 

[Opus]

Sorry. I know there is a spot behind the dash to access the wires, but I only used the wires where they terminated by the battery. Hopefully someone else can help.

 

[Terrymo]

Like this, although mine terminated closer to the center console side. These are shown closer to the passenger kick panel. Besides the Aux 1-4 wires there will be a 12 volt constant and a 12 volt ignition on wire. All 6 wires bundled together and wrapped in the cloth Tesa tap.

 

[JJ_WA]

Like this, although mine terminated closer to the center console side. These are shown closer to the passenger kick panel. Besides the Aux 1-4 wires there will be a 12 volt constant and a 12 volt ignition on wire. All 6 wires bundled together and wrapped in the cloth Tesa tap.

Your wiring appears to run under that 2-button thing on the left hand side of your picture, as does mine. It sounds like it's the same wiring. I guess I'll need to cut the black electrical tape and end tape off to make sure. It'll take some contorting to do it, but I'll give it a try!

Thanks much!

Now to figure out how to run up the passenger A-panel to the camera, along with the cabling from the rear camera. I'm not sure if there's a clear run or if I need to dismantle the A-pillar and handle to do it.

 

[JJ_WA]

Sorry. I know there is a spot behind the dash to access the wires, but I only used the wires where they terminated by the battery. Hopefully someone else can help.

No worries. I appreciate the response anyhow.

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