Does anyone here have a light above the cup holders on a 3rd gen? I'm looking to put 2 white led's hooked to the dimmer switch above the cup holders (its dark down there) and just wondered if there was an optional light that was missing on my truck before I do it
anyone have a light there?

 

I do not on my 06 Mega Cab, But that is a great idea, I may have to look in to that myself.

 

that is so dumb! WTF are they thinking, bulbs are cheep... it cant cost more than a buck for them to install a light there.

I'll post pics of mine later this week. if your going to do it, radio shack has the white led's and you'll need a resistor, approx 1k in line with it... my wiring harness for the aftermarket stereo has a dimmer switch line all ready to go.

 

Hey guys. Was reading your article and just wanted to toss my 2 cents in, for no major reason. Just my experience.

1. I find that our headlamp, and high low switches come from the factory already running near their max amperage rating. I had installed 4 gauges on my dash. Each gauge was to draw a 1/4 amp for lighting. Not a big draw by any means. But as soon as I went to dim it all, fzzzzzzt! There went the headlamp switch. It didn't just fail, it cooked. Almost melted the wiring harness. I understand electric to a certain point, and by the looks of the switch, it was the internal dimmer itself that failed. At least the factory wiring held up. Dimming requires resistance. Resistance is heat. And when an dimmer is running at or slightly over peak, failure is imminent. Their is nothing wrong with the design. The switch is doing it's job. She just doesn't like having any added work load, dumped on her.

Like a whiny blonde that I know.............


And I apologize for rattling but, I im into my truck.....spiritually.........lol. Freak I am.


My suggestion is a seperate rheostat or "pot" poteniometer....... or POT as it's called. Did I mention P O....nevermind...lol. A serperate dimmer for the accersory lighting. I would also suggest taping into a power source either at the cig lighter, or power socket. They usuall have a beefy rating. I would avoid your factory dimmer all together.


2. One more sugestion if I may. Not all LEDS can be dimmed. Those that can, I would assume, need high resistance. Be sure on the specs. And for the appilcation you're interested in, I may also suggest staying with simple 12 volt filament bulbs. Very low draw, and would produce less heat on the "dimmer" switch.

Like I said, just tossin it out there. Ride safe guys.



Good luck.

 

the led's draw far less than the incandesant bulbs do and wont be a problem. Your point on the light switch is a very good one as i'm about to do a guage install later this week, thanks for your insite on it. I'll have a look at the wiring diagrams before I throw the switch...

 

LOL .... you remind me of that kid from the new version ( movie ) The Dukes of Hazzard where he tells his brother that he wants to "Make Looove to his car". When his brother tries to correct him by saying that he wanted to make love IN his car, he said "NO bro .... I wanna F**K IT" !!!

 

I got a couple that light up the cup holder area, factory stock, they are not very bright, kinda a greenish hue. I'll try and get a pic of them posted tonight.




06 2500 thunderroad 2500 4x4 QC/SB CTD

 

cool thanks! Welcome to DF... also can you check to see if they dim with the lights or if they are fixed brightness. I'd appreciate it. Maybe all I have to do is go buy the harness & socket and pop it in the bezel...

 

I tried to get a pic, but it didnt show up? Its only over the drivers cup area, but lights the other cup area a bit also. It appears to be a small bulb behind a light green plastic lens. It does not dim with the dimmer, but goes on and off with the headlight switch.
I am a smoker and on a tow trip to missouri last month had no problems finding the little POS ashtray in between the cup holders at night.

 

I went to the wrecking yards at lunch and it appears according to their books that there is no light on the '02-'05 models. So it appears that it would be a dealer item [:@] man I hate visiting the dealer... I always feel like I have to check my wallet on the way out...

Thanks for trying on the pic boomer, it's appreciated. I guess I'll be going ahead with the led install since I already have the parts (cost a whopping $6 bux)...