BluPhant
Full Access Member
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)
-Blu
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
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)
