Rooftop lighting wiring question.

[OCMEDIC]

The shop thats doing my build just called and was curious how other people on here wire their lights. They are going on a Baja Rack and he was thinking the only way to go would be out the back and back through through the headliner. Is that the way to go or what would be better? Could someone let me know so I can pass it on to them?

 

[gaterose]

I drilled a hole under one of the foot mounts for the rack and ran it up the a pillar to keep from running all that wire.

Some wire can be ran up the windshield in the moulding on the side, but depending on what lights (i.e. how much wire you have to run) that might not be an option.

Not sure about the Baja, but my Gobi came with wire already ran inside the tubes from the front to the rear to save a bit of work.

 

[OCMEDIC]

Can you better explain that first option that I can tell my shop in the morning?

 

[gaterose]

Where the rack mounts to the roof, I drilled a hole and passed wires through,

removed the screws from the headliner right there and the plastic A pillar cover (so the liner would drop down a bit)

then ran them down the A pillar (between door and windshield) and replaced the plastic cover

and through the firewall into the engine compartment to my relays/fuse box.

 

[gaterose]

If you go that route, seal the hole with silicone after running the wires.

Also (in case it's not in the directions) seal the bolt holes for your new rack with silicone too or it WILL leak.

 

[Merle]

When I had lights and a CB antenna mounted up top, I ran the wire along the rack to the rear spoiler, and then down into the back hatch, down past the rear lights. Once at the bottom, I cut across to the seal and then back into the main body.

I don't like cutting into anything if I can avoid it.