HOW TO: Add a light over the back seat (02-04KJ)

This thread was originally posted in the general forum, I've copied the pertinant bits here for archiving in the How-To section. The content is mostly Bennett's, I've added to it a little bit to make it more how-to'ish. Either Bennett or I will eventually add some more detail (I'm going to be doing this install in the coming weeks, so I'll snap some pictures of mine as I go along), but there should be enough basic info here to get you well on your way.

-Blu

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One of the issues expressed by many Jeep Liberty owners is the lack of lighting over the back seat. While this problem has been fixed on the '05 models with the addition of a light over the back seat, us 02-04 owners are still left, literally, in the dark. This project involves cutting the headliner, and running wires for the light.

To complete this project you will need:
* An appropriate light (In this example, the p/n stamped on the fixture is, 04685242, from a 1999 dodge ram). There may be other models that will work properly and match the trim. If anyone comes across the p/n for 05 KJ, post here and I'll update the how-to.
* A length of wire
* Wire cutters/strippers
* A good knife for cutting the headliner
* Measuring tape to ensure the position is correct
* Solder/soldering iron to solder in connections [preferred] - if you lack this skill, wiretap connectors can be used (bleegh, not recommended)
* Wrench to disconnect the negative battery terminal prior to installation.
* A photocopy machine (Optional) can help to make a template prior to cutting
* Beer (Optional, tho recommended)

Total cost for this project was around $10 - the only item purchased was the light itself, all the other items listed above were available around the house.

As with any project involving messing with the electrical system, you should ALWAYS disconnect the negative terminal from your battery prior to beginning. You have been warned.

One of the considerations for this project is the BCM. The BCM is essentially a computer that controls many of the various electronics aspects of the liberty. When you open a door, it sends a signal to the BCM to turn on the lights. When you close the door, it sends a signal to the BCM again, and the BCM then shuts the lights off (after a timer, and using the infamous theatre dimming). Overloading the BCM is a bad idea. This can happen when there are too many add-ons to a particular circuit. There is a chance of the BCM not responding well to higher current draws, so to ensure that this was not an issue, I looked up the bulb. It draws only 0.27 Amp so it is relatively low amperage. It has not been a problem for me, everything is still working fine several months later. But as always, use comnon sense, and your results may vary. If you do fry your BCM, be prepared for a multi-hundred dollar replacement.

Here is the light, this one came off ebay. It's from a dodge ram and it will go in very easily.



I did not want to take the headliner down, so I used a coat hanger to fish the wire through. Originally I wanted to go directly to the EVIC lights, but fishing the wire through, proved far too difficult. So I ended up going down the side, and tapping into the passenger foot well light. I am hoping that I won't have to rewire it, but I'll let you guys know how it goes. I know somebody, (I thought it was TRAILN), added two lights, but forgot how they wired them up.

So outside of the potential overloading of the BCM, the the scariest part of this project may well be cutting the headliner. In order to get it right, I put my light under a photo copier and made a scale paper model of it. So that I could cut it out to make template on the ceiling. This really worked out well. But you have to make sure the copier outputs the same dimensions. I think I went through like 25 sheets of paper before I got it right, but it was a good work project. lol.

Here is a pic of the roughed in hole I initally made. The final hole was nice and smooth, but this just gives you an idea what's above the headliner. It's scary lookin isn't it. :sick:


As for mounting the light, the light I got has two little things on the side - both go above the headliner. The other side of it "clips" in when the light is shut.

This is my backseat, taken in a dark garage!! =D> =D> My #1 Pet Peave has been fixed!





Anywho, I did connect it to my other dome lights and so far so good! I know the many risks when connecting to the BCM, but I figure it should be fine.

I spent about a good hour just measuring, and it's in there perfectly straight and centered.

My total project cost was $10, not bad.

As an update my BCM is working just fine. The light hasn't caused any problems what so ever. So I would think it is safe to say that it didn't overload anything.

-Bennett
(Edited/Added to by BluPhant)

For those that are paranoid about the BCM:
As an update: a couple months later after the install I am having no problems with the BCM what so ever.

Thanks Blu for moving it over here (biggrin)

Bennett

Hey, Bennett, I know you tried fishing that wire over to the EVIC, without much success, but I was wondering if you tried getting it to the light over the rear cargo area? Seems like it might be just as difficult as getting it up front.

I was also wondering if Blu ever did this upgrade to his KJ, and if so, how it went? I'm waiting for my EVIC to arrive, and I thought I might try to knock this out at the same time.

Mucho gracias!

I did this with my stock reading light after I put the EVIC in. Thank's for the how-to!!

I realized that getting the wire over the roof crossmember was going to suck, so I peeled back the rear door weather stripping at the top and just fished the wire down to the drivers side. Then I ran it slong the edge of the headliner to the driver's a-pillar and over to the EVIC to tap in the electric.



When it gets warmer out, I'll fine tune it a bit so it lays a bit more flush.

Craig-

Give us a little detail about how the light functions-- does it come on/off with the doors opening, and does it allow for individual on/off the way it would have if it were mounted up front? You tapped into the same wiring as the lighting in the EVIC?

Sadly, I still havent done this mod, and have both the orig lights from my front and another (from a dodge truck I think)

....and any info about how you attached it would be helpful too

-Blu

has anyone with the Sunroof done this? I would hate to cut a hole in the liner only to see the sunroof.. ](*,) Wonder how far back it goes?

BluPhant,

I tapped directly into the wires that fed it when it was in the front. Both sides light up when you open the doors and fade out when the doors close. Depressing either side turns that side on just like it was before. Exact same operation.


Jeepster,

If you look at my pic, you can see the rear crossmember right behind the light. If you installed the light behind the crossmember, it would still be over the rear seat to serve it's funtcion, but definately far enough back to not interfere with the roof.

Okay, but how did you mount the light to the headliner? The light shown earlier in the thread had special clips for mounting above the headliner. The light you used from up front has those clips that pop into the mounting plate on the roof. (dunno)

Did you use a relay off the lights that you tapped into? Just wondering since you won't get the maximum wattage out of the lights if you're just tapping into them. In fact, I believe it would make both lights dimmer.

Great post. I'm about to install an EVIC will the light I take out of the front work?

i would have to ask the same thing..
Did you use a relay off the lights that you tapped into or just wire straight in? Just wondering since you won't get the maximum wattage out of the lights if you're just tapping into them. In fact, I believe it would make both lights dimmer.

Considering the low wattage of the stock bulbs there shouldn't be a drop in light output. If light output is a concern, just replace the stock with a L.E.D replacement. You'll have plenty of light with a fraction of the power requirement.

i am going to upgrade to leds after a bit.
just gotta make sure they will work via other people trying them out first!

Looking For How To: Additional ceiling light over back seats

I remember seeing an installation instructions on adding overhead light in passenger area, but i can't seem to find it anymore. Does anyone know where I can find it?

Is there anyway to split the front and rear lights so that rear can be turned on by itself without turning on the front map lights?

Or does anyone have any suggestions on how to add more lights in rear? I am thinking of buying strips of LED and installing them but I don't want anything messy.

nobody?

This was a few pages down in the how-to section:

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26101

Great, thanks for the refresh, I don't know why I couldn't find it. And welcome to the site!
I guess I can follow the same lead to get LEDs instead.

i just cut the hole and then put it up there, and spliced into the wires...

resipsa said:

Okay, but how did you mount the light to the headliner? The light shown earlier in the thread had special clips for mounting above the headliner. The light you used from up front has those clips that pop into the mounting plate on the roof. (dunno)

Click to expand...

I was just wondering the same thing, how did you manage to get it stuck up there since there isn't much holding it in place.

Thanks ripticket, let me move this topic there, I had a few questions about that setup. I really need to get this done because when we ride at night with the baby in his seat and wife complains she cant see baby's face, unless I turn on all the lights in the cabin.

With this set up it would be even more light in the cabin. Is there anyway to power the rear cargo light independently from the front map lights?