Alternate way of wiring roof lights

[bendbolden]

I have seen a few threads on wiring in rooftop lights but I would rather not drill a hole in the roof. Has anyone attempted adding roof lights and ran the wire through anywhere else? Pics? I know it will look better through the roof but I would like to see my other options first. Thanks

 

[BirdManzFJ]

Here ya go.

http://brockandbecca.com/files/fj/Accessories/Gobi Roof Rack and Lights Install.pdf

 

[BirdManzFJ]

forgot to add, if you go this route, the plastic clips that hold the external A pillar cover on will break! GO BUY NEW ONES FIRST!

Dealership, (2) packs of 5ea

 

[bendbolden]

Thanks! The only problem I am thinking about is I have the OEM roof rack which sets further back than most of the aftermarket ones. I would have a two or three inch piece of exposed wire if I do it that way. Would you recommend one way or the other?

 

[BirdManzFJ]

Unless I am wrong here, I think there is an OEM air dam with lights that fit up to the OEM roof rack. If you go OEM then I am pretty sure there are stock wiring connectors behind the A Pillar covers.

Ok went and looked, the OEM way drills holes.

http://www.trdsparks.com/install/PT278-35071inst.pdf

 

[bendbolden]

Thanks for that. I may see if I can dig up one of those OEM air dams. I like the look.

 

[BMThiker]

I wired my lights through the roof rack bar over the drivers door. I had to drill another hole, but at least it is not a hole 3 inches from the roof rack bracket like the TRD instructions say.

I'm pretty sure I drilled the hole between the two stock bracket mount bolts (underneath the plastic bracket and rubber seal. You will need to remove all the roof rack bracket bolts on the driver side so that you can lift the roof rack up enough to drill the new hole. Then pull your wires into the headliner area and down the inside of the A-pillar. Topside, you can drill a new hole on the inboard side of your main roof rack bar (driver side) and fish the wires up through the headliner, bracket, aluminum tube and then nothing is exposed. IIRC, I had to drill a hole in the plastic bracket and cut a hole in the rubber seal to fish the wires up the tubing. Sorry, it's been too long since I did the install and I didn't photograph the process.

 

[bendbolden]

Cool. I was planning on doing it this way. I dug up a thread last night and it seems alot are going this route. This seems alot cleaner than a hole out on the open hood.

 

[BirdManzFJ]

Cool. I was planning on doing it this way. I dug up a thread last night and it seems alot are going this route. This seems alot cleaner than a hole out on the open hood.

Dude, if your drilling holes in your "HOOD", something is wrong.

 

[bendbolden]

I meant roof. *Brain fart*.