Interior lighting?

Hey guys thanks for the answers to my previous posts. Now one I've been trying to fix for years. For now I just stash a flashlight between the seats. In my newer Levi's CJ-5 (when I still had it) the lights were mounted down by the footwells. Also how about instrument lights. Anyway to upgrade from the current really dim to not so dim?

 

I've used the small semi trailer clearance lights.
Amber or red. I like the red best. Have a buddy who uses blue ones mounted the rollbar at night without dashlights on trail rides.
Not sure about the gauge lights though.

 

I did something on my 61 that worked a little better than nothing; when I had the speedo apart to replace the gauges, I lined the little cardboard tubes that direct the light for the hi-beam, oil, and amp indicators with aluminum foil. Woo-Hoo! Really bright now! I considered painting the insides of the housing with silver or some such, but didn't 'cause I was in a hurry....... Dusted off the pod light bulbs and thought I was smart. Not. Shoulda thought about that more. Still not so bright.......

As for interior lights, I got two: day and flash.

 

Great idea, Lynn. That looks like the way to go.

 

I have a small dash mounted lite that has a rocker switch to turn it on and a roll bar mounted lite that I did not put back in for now when I rebuilt my engine and wiring. The roll bar mounted light fits the countour of the roll bar and was apparently factory on the 74 model that I pulled the bar from, it is a formed aluminum base with what looks like a clear oval marker lite like they use on semis, the switch was integral to the metal base. The dash mount one was on the jeep when I bought it, looked to have been factory installed but I found 1 the other day at a local Fleet Pride (truck parts center) that is almost identical, available in regular or LED. Here is the dash mount, it works good:

 

Mine has a Signal Stat license plate light mounted on the dash for interior illumination. I like the chrome look.

 

When I rewired my Jeep I used a late model headlight switch (like 80-86?). This allowed me to get "dimming" gauge lights. Also, later CJs had little courtesy lights that bolted to the bottom of the dash. The wiring for these plug right into the harness coming out of the headlight switch. So if you can find an old "parts" CJ, snatch the headlight switch, its plastic connector and a foot or so of its wire, and the underdash lights and wiring and you are in business. Grand Waggies and even XJs had similar setups.

On my CJ7 I added one of those lighted rear view mirrors. They really work well. I put on a new w/s frame and haven't wired it for the mirror yet.

 

I have a few lights similar to this that were originally for military aircraft. They have normal white as well as red lenses (good for night vision), clip into a base but can also be removed for reading maps and such.

Haven't decided yet if I'm gonna use 'em in my JEEP. Part of the problem is I don't know what voltage they take - in aircraft it could be anything!!

Come to think of it... Jack might know... Gonna ask him...

 

used License light attached to windshield frame right beside the rear view mirror

 

If it's military, 28V.

 

So uh, whatdaya do with them thar fancee lights when the windshield is down? You're all still ahead of me. I don't have any interior lighting. Think I'll put something high on the dash when the time comes.

 

RV 12V twin tube 12" flourescent (sp)
mounted to roll bar
when I need light, I need LIGHT!

 

Actually, one of them is 12V, the other two are unknown but certainly more. I have two different styles. I took pics, but forgot them on my mom's computer at home. As soon as I can get someone to email them back to me I'll post a little write up - they should work excellent and can be found on eBay from time to time if anyone else wants one.