Installing A Dome Light

Your '66 coupe probably did not come with this nice feature. I don't know why but every thing is there to install a dome light so if you want one you can easily install one. Lucky for me my head liner is not in right now so the installation is as easy as it gets. I was able to find a dome light and everything needed for the mod for $15 so I went for it.


I saw this done in one of the mustang monthly articles so I am sure you can check out there site to get additional details. Anyway, once you have the dome light and wiring you only need to find the screw hole and the indent in the middle/center roof beams that were put there at the factory for this very set up. This mustang was made for this and I am happy to add this light to the car now. As you can see once you find this your set. With a head liner you will have to get creative to find the mounting hole.


Here you can see the light fixture is in place. A new bulb and it is ready for the running of the wiring. I did have to find a few screws from my parts bin. I did not get them with my purchase.


Again, some shiny nice looking screws will come in to play later but for now you get the look. Everything is nice and in place. I am pretty happy with how this is looking so far. Plus with the two under dash lights in addition to this one, I will have lots of light when I need it.


Now the really hard part. Install the wiring. Run it down the main beam then down to the 'B' pillar down to the rocker and under the door trim to the drivers side kick panel and plug it in to the plug that is already there for it in the under dash wire harness. From what I have read that extra plug that is in the wire harness is for the 'courtesy lights' that you could get optionally. I also think that maybe the fastbacks had rear lights? Not really sure but the plug is there for what ever reason. So it would seem that these cars were made for this mod?








Couple of tips for you on this:

-Use a light tester to be sure you have a current for that plug and that it works with the headlight switch and the door switch.

-If you have a hard time getting to the plug, unplug the door switch and pull the harness down to give your self more room to work.
*red wire plugged into the 'courtesy light' plug.




Conclusion:
What a great improvement for interior light. I am very happy with this mod. It will be very hard to tell that this was not a stock set up. I expect on a few true mustang fans will notice. Total cost = $15
Let there be light!



.

Nicely done! I am in the middle of a restoration of my 65 coupe and this article got me thinking. A dome light would be great. Thanks.

I have done this mod on a car without a headliner. You can save yourself some trouble by running the wire down the A-pillar. You'll have to be patient fishing the wire down the A-pillar into kick panel, but it can be done.

If you have a headliner in your car, you're SOL.

Robert

I am not sure that is true.. According to the article I read, the install had a head liner and I believe they used fish tape to get the wiring to the dome. I agree, it will be much harder to do with a head liner in place.