- Aug 25, 2006
- 4,436
One of the projects that I have been working on is the seamless; meaning as if OEM integration of a rearview mirror with the viewing screen for the backup camera built in. It is IMO a truly wonderful piece and then add to this it is a factory option now being offered by Ford as of 2008 made it even more attractive to me. The only issue was that there were no courtesy or map lights built into it as these have been located in most vehicles as a part of the overhead console.
Originally I disassembled one of the mirrors with the intention of integrating lighting such as leds however after several mockups and a like number of conversations with several folks a new direction was created. The new direction came primarily as the result of my concern for the ability for one to have a modified mirror serviced whereas if I left it untouched and designed the system and the integration around it then it can be replaced as a plug and play assembly by any Ford dealer.
I elected to attempt to retrofit a dome light which would be reminiscent of days gone past. With this being defined I had a couple items that I would not budge on;
1. I wanted an OEM Ford part so that as time passes it will remain a serviceable item and remained a component that in theory could have come on the gal from day one.
2. I wanted the OEM lamp control module to operate the system; specifically when the doors are opened the light needed to come on, when the ignition key was turned to the on position/when the car was started it needed to go out, and it needed to turn off automatically if the door was left opened after a period of time.
Now add to this I wanted (if possible) to be able to turn the light on whenever I wanted for the convenience of use when driving or ?
Finally after much consideration and numerous dry fits of lights and operational testing the decision was made to use a lamp out of a late model Ford that has no visible bezel but rather the lens is the bezel and when installed squeezes slightly into the headliner as it is a truly flush mount.
Now since I just completed integrating one of Kip's cool carbon fiber/leather center console cubbies it provided the perfect place for me to install within it a small nearly flush mounted switch that will allow the light to be turned on/off at will while retaining all of the must have OEM features that I shared above.
FYI: there will be an a-typical OEM style electrical plug at the separation point of the two headliner pieces so that either or both pieces can be removed as a plug and play setup leaving the wiring harness to become as if OEM. And then lastly the dead air space above the new lamp is more than ample however I will also be installing more radiant barrier; I say more because Ford already has a few pieces under the headliner.
BTW; the first picture is where I am dry fitting the pieces however once installed the base of the light is inserted from the other side of the headliner; meaning the interior side of the headliner and is truly flush; there is nothing that sits higher than the thickness of the headliner and then add to this because of the drop down design of the headliner down the center it creates a natural dead air space between the headliner and the double wall panel of the aluminum roof structure. There are no holes drilled or modifications to the shell of the gal; only the rear portion of the headliner.
Takes care
Shadowman
Originally I disassembled one of the mirrors with the intention of integrating lighting such as leds however after several mockups and a like number of conversations with several folks a new direction was created. The new direction came primarily as the result of my concern for the ability for one to have a modified mirror serviced whereas if I left it untouched and designed the system and the integration around it then it can be replaced as a plug and play assembly by any Ford dealer.
I elected to attempt to retrofit a dome light which would be reminiscent of days gone past. With this being defined I had a couple items that I would not budge on;
1. I wanted an OEM Ford part so that as time passes it will remain a serviceable item and remained a component that in theory could have come on the gal from day one.
2. I wanted the OEM lamp control module to operate the system; specifically when the doors are opened the light needed to come on, when the ignition key was turned to the on position/when the car was started it needed to go out, and it needed to turn off automatically if the door was left opened after a period of time.
Now add to this I wanted (if possible) to be able to turn the light on whenever I wanted for the convenience of use when driving or ?
Finally after much consideration and numerous dry fits of lights and operational testing the decision was made to use a lamp out of a late model Ford that has no visible bezel but rather the lens is the bezel and when installed squeezes slightly into the headliner as it is a truly flush mount.
Now since I just completed integrating one of Kip's cool carbon fiber/leather center console cubbies it provided the perfect place for me to install within it a small nearly flush mounted switch that will allow the light to be turned on/off at will while retaining all of the must have OEM features that I shared above.
FYI: there will be an a-typical OEM style electrical plug at the separation point of the two headliner pieces so that either or both pieces can be removed as a plug and play setup leaving the wiring harness to become as if OEM. And then lastly the dead air space above the new lamp is more than ample however I will also be installing more radiant barrier; I say more because Ford already has a few pieces under the headliner.
BTW; the first picture is where I am dry fitting the pieces however once installed the base of the light is inserted from the other side of the headliner; meaning the interior side of the headliner and is truly flush; there is nothing that sits higher than the thickness of the headliner and then add to this because of the drop down design of the headliner down the center it creates a natural dead air space between the headliner and the double wall panel of the aluminum roof structure. There are no holes drilled or modifications to the shell of the gal; only the rear portion of the headliner.
Takes care
Shadowman
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