another ohc question for u guys, is it possible to wire the lights in the ohc tapping into the power of the current dome light, and running a switch to control the ohc lights so they turn on and off seperate from the dome light? Will i need to put a fuse in aswell, or should i be fine splicing into the domelight? Also...the ohc has two lights, one pointed to the driver and one to the passenger, can i run the power so that both of them turn on and off? im not interested in having 2 switches for the 2 lamps.

 

Ring out the wires at the light and see if you have power there or not.
Interior lights usually work by switching ground so you might be on to something there.

 

i know i will have power if i splice into the domelight...im wondering if i need to put a fuse on it or not? i mean the lights arent running all the time..but will the wires burn up if they're constantly getting power (even if the light is off?) dont know too much about the topic, hence the question

 

No, the circuit will not burn out, your interior lights are setup this way.

The fuse is a good idea, figure out what the current is that the lights draw, easy “wattage of lights, divided by voltage equals amperage or current", then put an inline fuse in the power wire to the lights.
Usually the fuse is near the pwr supply so it should go next to the OEM interior light but I think the current will be low and if you put the fuse near the OC it will work OK.
Just remember it when the pwr goes out.
Also, just thinking out loud, does your OHC have a Garage Door opener compartment ?
How about putting the fuse in there ?????

Oh ya, remember that you are now pulling power from a circuit that by Ford’s standards is near max so don’t keep it on a lot with the interior light.
If you blow a fuse in the interior light circuit when the OHC lights are on and you open the door then you will need to run a new wire.

If you don’t want to use the std wiring for the OHC then think about running a separate wire from the circuit panel to the OHC, in the long run it is a better method.
Also, do you plan to hook up the electronics in the OHC or leave it out ?

Too long so I will drop this let us know what you intend to do for the overall hook up ?

 

i do have a garage button..but im installing a navigation screen in there as soon as i figure out how to have the hinge bend back a little more without breaking anything, and where the compass and all that jazz is, i removed the internals to fabricate a digital clock in there, seeing as ford was too cheap to put one in our trucks. I have one on my aftermarket deck, but i prefer to have a song title there..and where the three buttons are for the ohc, im putting in small switches to control 1. ohc lights 2. foglights and 3. dont know yet...maybe the ejection seat? i get fed up with the girls nagging..so one button and poof! gone. Im actual looking into getting some heating pads and giving the driver seat some HEAT..maybe run the 3rd switch for the seats..once again the passengers dont get NADA..haha..

 

Nice, good to see someone else doing something with the OHC other than STOCK…
I put two switches where the three were to control each side light and converted the MAP lights to a directional LED setup. Then added a home made panel where the digital display was for four small toggle switches to run who know what.

https://www.ranger-forums.com/forum2...p-compass.html

So with what you are doing all you need is two 18-ga wires, one RED for pwr and one BLK for grd, with an in-line fuse or tap an existing circuit on the Circuit Panel. They can run up the side pillars in front or can go to the back, up the side behind the driver and then to the front (whatever way is best for you).
Then the OHC will have its own pwr circuit and IF something goes wrong you will know where to find the problem.

Luck with it.

 

In the long run it would be better to run a separate power wire to the OHC. you can run it up the back wall an over head, less to take apart that way.