Courtesy /glove box lights

[Steve Cole]

My truck was a bare bones, no options truck. I have picked up a glove box light and two courtesy lights that I would like to install. As you know, My 1968 original fuse box has very limited connection points. My dome light is controlled by the light switch knob, (no door switches). So my questions are: how are the lights wired? The courtesy lights I would like to control with the headlight switch, same as the dome light. The glove box light should be hot all the time as well. So how do I wire these lights? (Fuse box/ switch connections and splicing wires) Also, where would the courtesy lights be physically mounted? I found two holes on the underside of my dash area but the are on the far ends, seems like the lights should be closer to the middle.

Thanks for the help!

[hugger6933]

The holes are right they are toward the outer ends of the dash. My 70 that is in my shop now has a dome but no courtesy lamps[or door jamb switches[yet]. So I would say that yes you would be correct in that the far end of the varible rheastat [on the headlamp switch] the locking part is where that should be wired. Jim

[magicoolbus]

The courtesy light should have a orange and a white wire. The white one is the selectable ground wire, in that when you turn the headlight knob to the dome light on position, it grounds the white wire. The orange wire is a always hot source. The headlight switch has the correct wire there too. If you use that location, you will also be using a wire that is fused by the existing fuse panel. Do a search in the electrical section and find any post by VetteVet or Fixit-p -smartest write ups on the planet!

Here's one thread that should answer you Q's.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...courtesy+light

[Z10]

Steve,
I'm adding all of these lights and the door switches. Jump over to my build and ask Double E, your questions. He's just completed the wiring, sourced the proper door switches etc. My link is in my signature below.

[Steve Cole]

Thanks Guys! That was helpful. I know I Need to tie into the light switch wiring but how? I don't want to hack up the wiring, I was wondering how the factory tied the wiring together. Is there some kind of 1 into 2 connector out there? Thanks!

[PanelDeland]

Lots of two into one spade connectors avail.Should be able to get one for any standard type connector.

[magicoolbus]

Here's what I did (am doing): Using Packard 56 terminal connectors, orange and white wire, I made a jumper connector for the courtesy light power and ground. I am also putting in the door switches. Since I am working on a suburban, I am also working on the third door and rear barn door. Pictures should help. The first one is of the headlight switch and pigtail that I made. I removed the terminal from the plug, cut it close to old terminal, and spliced in the same colored wire to the 56 terminal and reinstalled in the plug. I added a two plug connector to the end of the new wires, I am wiring in my own courtesy lights, not a aftermarket reproduction ones.
I also added vw beetle style door switches to the third door as there isn't enough room for the regular style ones that I put in the front doors. I also used the vw style for the rear barn door, you can see where I added the swtich. Will finish that wiring tonight, was waiting on a roll of 18ga TXL white wire.

[Steve Cole]

Thanks Magicoolbus! That clears up a lot. Two questions: did you have any trouble putting the 2 wires into the 1 terminal? And are you installing a glove box light? If so, where did you wire it to?

[magicoolbus]

If you use a terminal that is for 12 to 14 gauge and use 18 gauge wire, no problems. The glove box will need a different circuit. There is usually a factory pigtail on that is avail. If you use the cigarette lighter, put in an inline fuse as the fuse for the cigarette lighter is higher than you would want for the glove light. Remember, the glove light uses common ground.