BearKiller

In the son's truck, made into the black plastic trim/cover that goes over the instrument panel, immediately over the area that contains the "water-in-fuel" light, etc., and the 4X4 indicator light, there is a SEVEN-SIDED oblong hole that is made in the plastic from the factory.

At first, I thought someone had cut it out for reason's known only to them; but, once I got the panel out, where I could see, the hole is definitely a factory hole.

What is this hole's purpose??

Thanks.

rbrettctd

There is usually a map light in there. Most dont exist any longer. They bust out. Mine was all busted, and if its on for 10 seconds it wuold scald your hand if you touched it, so I pulled mine.

sdstriper

I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it is still up in there behind the the intrument panel etc. I have found several of them back in there over the years.

There was an updated bracket that made putting one in and keeping one in a little better.

BearKiller

I have all the instrument panel covers off, at the present, while curing a few ills.

I will look a little harder for this map-light.

The hole is perfect, with no cracks or damage.

A map-light, up in there, would be kinda neat.

Some pictures of one, both at rest and in use, would be handy.

I can't remember ever seeing this opening in any of the many 1st Gen. trucks I have been in; but, I will be looking for them now.

Thanks.

rbrettctd

Ive been in 8 and seen it in all. Probly just didnt notice it.

torquefan

Your wife's truck should have one too, I would think.

BearKiller

I intend to look, as soon as I can.

In the area they are located, they are easy to miss.

I have just tonight found a tech write-up on re-inforcing the map-light mounting, over at Ramcharger Central, and got a look at what one looks like.

Thanks.

KRB

I like it.

I think it has "off", "on" and "door open on" settings. Don't use mine much but handy when you need it.

As far as heat, I think it is a festoon type bulb and a quick swap to LED would solve that. A red type might be a good upgrade anyway.

My $.02

BearKiller

Well, I finally got to see what a map-light looks like.

I checked the wife's truck; there was the hole, but no light.

That makes two map-light-less trucks.

Then, I opened my mouth and bought another 91 LE-cab, looked in that hole, and low and behold, there hangs a map-light; although, it hangs quite loosely, like the least encouragement would have it hanging by the wires.

Another question:

Should this light have some kind of lens over it??

This one is just bare-bulb.

Thanks.

searcher

Same lamp in the Dodge 1/2 ton gassers if you have access to a upullit wrecking yard. Can you post a link to the article on reinforcing the mount for the maplight.

BearKiller

Glad to help.

http://www.ramchargercentral.com/ind...owtoshow;id=37

TexasHardcore

The maplight in my old 1st gen was a broken POS also. It worked, but of course would just dangle from it's mount. I used some silicone to hold it in place for a while.

After a few months, I made a new mounting plate out of thin aluminum and glued it to the inside of the instrument panel in the stock location. I drilled 4 holes in it and used these fancy little Sloan LED lights that we use in the sign business (http://www.sloancorp.com/ChanneLED4.html) and a small rocker switch from Radio Shack. The lights are much brighter than the LED's you buy from Radio Shack. Flip the switch and the whole cab would light up from those 4 little lights. I have some more if you want to go that route.

BearKiller

Am I understanding that right??

You just connect the wires to a 12volt source, with no need for all that electronic business that I know nothing about??

That would be cool !!

KRB

There is a cover. Its a little covex lense.

I've swapped all the boat lights over to LED. No heat, very little current draw. Most I ordered from http://autolumination.com/indicator.htm. They are all a direct replacement. Just get the numbers/bulb type right.