Project XJ

[Jeff]

I decided to do some electrical projects this weekend. I noticed the last time we wen to the farm that I do not have enough light in the back of the Cherokee for using it as a work bench. Also hooking up trailers in the dark is a bit of a bear. So I decided the deck lid needed to have some dome lights. Also I wanted to install my power inverter and an extra 12v socket back there for utility sake. This is not really a "write up" because I did not take good enough pics.

At first I got some tractor trailer 16 in oval back up lamps to use. Printed on the back of the light housing is "not for dome light use." Apparently these lights will melt if left on for long periods of time...wtf. So Truck-Lite Inc. referred me to their dome light selection of which I ordered two from my local Napa.



Such is my luck, only one came in. But I decided to do the installation anyway and just leave a hole with wires hanging for when the other got here.



I got an idea for where I wanted to put them on the deck lid and then removed the deck lid panel to the work bench. This is just plastic clips and about 10 screws. I inspected the back and made a compromise between the best mounting location and where they looked best. I then measured out so it was all even and cut out the holes with a router. I HIGHLY recommend a router when working with plastic panels.



Drilled holes for the screws, mounted and done. Hot glued the wiring to the back of the panel and put a 2pin plug on them to make them easy to remove if needed.





The next part of the project was powering these lights and other accessories in the back. I ran a 4ga amp wire (enough for 1000w amp) to the passenger's quarter panel and terminated it in a 2 fuse block.



From there I took power out to my power inverter, the dome lights, and the cig lighter. I needed two switches, one to break ground to the interior lights so I could leave the hatch up without dome lights (the oem switch for this function failed and I wired it out of the system) the second switch for the power inverter and cig plug. I had to prep the power inverter first. I wanted a custom look.





Holes drilled, outlets mounted... the velcro holds my genuine blue bird school bus first aid kit I got from a friend at the school bus garage.





As you can see I added a neon light I had laying around as a dome light for the switches. This light is on whenever the hatch is open, regardless of the kill switch position. Just cut a hole in the top of the cubby and zip tied it in.



DONE!





Whole thing took about 3 hours to do. Running all the wiring and stuff takes time. Everything works perfectly and its a great mod. I rewarded my hard work by finally checking out the stock flex. This is STOCK. Both front and rear sway bars are in place and connected.