2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission interior lights...

[BigEasy]

I've been thinking about installing a couple of small red marker lights under the dash in my truck... if I tap into the cluster circuit so I can dim them with the dash lighting, will this overload the headlamp switch?

 

[Missouri Mule]

It doesn't sound like it would. Two lights shouldn't give the light switch any problem. A lot of running lights would.

 

[BigEasy]

thanks, that's pretty much what I was thinking

 

[LRWatson]

As hot as my light switch gets, I haven't added anything except a few led's to the circuit. That's the way I'd go under the dash.

 

[Willys]

My brother wired lights under each side of the dash, and under each seat, total of 4 lights. He used a lead from the dome light to power on a relay, in turn powering the lights. (I think the lights are negative switched, making wiring a little confusing). He also had a switch on the dash to power them on at will, otherwise they would only come on when you open the door. So, they aren't dimmable, but they were not obnoxiously bright, just a nice ambient glow.



He ended up replacing them with LED's when he put LED's in the dash.



Hardly any of the factory wires are big enough for the load they come with stock, much less anything added to them. I'd say use relays. He even rewired his headlamps with relays- particularly so he can run the high and low beams simultaneously. I plan to do this with my truck as well, its amazing the difference it makes for close in visibility while traveling a dark road. The high beams tend to miss the overgrown rodents standing on the edge of the road. Here I am off on a tangent :-laf ... hope some of that helped.

 

[BigEasy]

I appreciate the info...

 

[dtygart]

I run 3 gauge lights in my extra gauges, and two leds in my o/s temp (after market) off the dimmer circuit and have had no trouble yet. I certainly did have trouble with my headlight switch even after the recall parts were installed. Finally got the relays from Source Automotive and am good now. You can read in this forum that several guys add relays for headlights, fog lights even running lights. Dodge sure saved themselves several $$ by using undersized wire!