Wiring roof rack lights?

[Devil]

I just got a set of Warn SDB-210 9" lights and was looking to see how other people routed the wiring to their roof rack lights. What path did you take, holes drilled, etc? I have an 04 Discovery with a roof rack system I put together. Putting them on the roof was not my first choice, but I have yet to find an A-frame front grill guard at a reasonable price. Until then, if it wasn't too much of a hassle, and I could keep the wiring neatly hidden I would put them on the roof. Thanks

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

Run the wiring underneath the plastic cover on the A-pillar

 

[Wander]

The most common set up I've seen is to place a flex tube over the wires and run that down the windshield A pillar. If you had to take off your factory rails to fit the rack you could also use one of those existing holes to run the wires under into the cabin, this seems like too much of a leak risk to me but if you could seal the hole well it would be a good set up. I need to do the same for my lights so I'm also interested in options.

 

[Rocket Ship]

Run the wiring underneath the plastic cover on the A-pillar

Yup, and wrap the exposed wiring above the windshield with corrugated sleeve, wrap it nicely in electrical tape, looks totally OEM.

 

[dstuder]

Here are a couple of pictures for the A pillar suggestion. They aren't the best but they will give a basic idea of what we are talking about.

 

[4xdog]

Porsche had a Cayenne S Transsyberia on their stand at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Hella light bar on the Cayenne was mounted directly through the roof with a waterproof quick-disconnect. Mouser Electronics will have too many connector options to count if you're looking for ideas. Here's a look at the Cayenne.

Take big nerve to cut the roof, I know. But it sure does make a clean install.

Don

 

[Devil]

I had thought the a-pillar would have been best bet. I will have some visible wiring going spanning the pillar and the roof bar is all, no biggie. Does that a pillar cover come off fairly easy? Thanks

 

[Rovertrader]

Off, yes. Easy, LOL.... If you a friend in the windshield business, pay him a visit.

 

[MatthewThompson]

Probably just easier to buy new A-pillar finishers now and install them when you have it wired and broke the old ones getting them off.

 

[jgdisco2]

Getting the A pillar off is easy, but putting it back on without breaking it is quite the art...luckily I have a snorkel so I just ran it down alongside that :sombrero: you can do the same thing Matt on the d1

 

[Antichrist]

After a while PVC electrical tape turns in to a mess, especially if it gets hot in the sun. Use some quality loom tape, or other loom sleeving.

 

[Wander]

Getting the A pillar off is easy, but putting it back on without breaking it is quite the art...luckily I have a snorkel so I just ran it down alongside that :sombrero: you can do the same thing Matt on the d1

That's the plan, run it right in crook of the snorkel where it rest along the pillar and down to the cowl.

To the OP-it's clear you'll now need a snorkel to make this easy, funny how that works.:snorkel:

 

[jgdisco2]

Let me know when you wanna try to get those lights on Matt and I'll do my best to get over there and give you a hand, we have a little time til URE.

 

[Rocket Ship]

After a while PVC electrical tape turns in to a mess, especially if it gets hot in the sun. Use some quality loom tape, or other loom sleeving.

I've found 3M branded electrical tape does quite well. But I agree, all others turn into a sticky mess pretty quickly.

 

[stevenr]

I ran mine up the interior of the A-Pillar and out of the roof rail.