How to put lights in carpeted roof?

[1ambretta]

I purchased my van roughly a couple of months ago. It is fairly well fitted out although it needed a few things adding/sorting. I have added several things to the van since I purchased it and now it is time to add some lights along the passenger side roof panel. It has a pop top roof and bed fitted.
This panel is already carpeted, see photos. I need to know how best to fit the lights without taking the carpet off? Can I safely drill through the carpet without going straight through the roof or any cables? Is it easy to feed the necessary cables to the light fittings?
I am just guessing that someone else will have already come across this before and knows the best way forward.
Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[Dan Morritz]

I don't have a pop top on my Kombi, so this may be inaccurate, but what i can tell you is that most Kombi's have a bunch of cables that run front to back on that side of the vehicle, which are usually housed in the roof panels. It would be my guess that because you have the pop top, those cables will be routed along exactly where you are proposing to drill.

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

as @Dan Morritz says, the OEM loom runs there, it should be cable tied up out of the way but you never know with some installs. Work out hole positions, cut carpet out an then drill holes, fish cables along to holes and hey presto, lights withoutr damage to cables.... Hopefully!!

 

[1ambretta]

Ok thank you for your comments. With your comments in mind I think I might do surface lights instead of recessed lights needing large cut-outs, does that sound best?
That way I only need to do small holes and hopefully less risk.
I am thinking of getting these 12v Dimmable LED Light, touch activated
Has anyone any thoughts?
I hate buying stuff and then having to send things back because it wasn't what I wanted. I would rather take note of what people are happy with.
Once again thanks for the help.

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

small holes will be very fifficult to fish the cables into....

 

[1ambretta]

I am assuming that there might be some form of roof strengthening and knowing my luck if I was doing a large hole, the hole would be in the wrong place.
I thought I would start smallish holes 10 to 13mm and I do have a cable threading device. I might get lucky and get the cable, I might be able to view through the holes, I can always go bigger in stages but I can't go smaller.
I guess I could cut the holes see what it looks/feels like and then decide on the actual lights I fit, that might be the best option.

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

The carpered section is the frame and is thin metal. Drill a larger hole and you wont get your pilot drill in with holesaw. If not sure take to your local place. Cheers

 

[1ambretta]

Ok thanks for the info. I will assess and find out cost locally although when I have approached a few local converters they are pretty busy. That is mainly why I have been doing stuff myself. At least now I am a lot better informed thanks to you.

 

[Mud Digger]

if you go for touch lights make sure you get cool white's as warm whites are a bit dull and yellow

drill it like there is cables behind just be very careful load the drill tip with tape as a depth stopper so it dont poke in to far when you break through

 

[1ambretta]

if you go for touch lights make sure you get cool white's as warm whites are a bit dull and yellow

drill it like there is cables behind just be very careful load the drill tip with tape as a depth stopper so it dont poke in to far when you break through

Will do, see if I can build up the courage to attempt it tomorrow.
Rang round a couple of local converters, I got the impression the job is too small for them money wise. One told me it would be months before he could do it and said have a go yourself.

 

[Eclipse Custom Vans]

Will do, see if I can build up the courage to attempt it tomorrow.
Rang round a couple of local converters, I got the impression the job is too small for them money wise. One told me it would be months before he could do it and said have a go yourself.

Thats helpful from them......

 

[Andysmee]

if you go for touch lights make sure you get cool white's as warm whites are a bit dull and yellow

I would have said entirely the opposite, warm white are homely, cool white would be like being in the back of an ambulance! Cool white in the cab, warm white for the leisure lighting, for me

 

[Mud Digger]

May be it's i don't have windows and with a very dark interior so replacing my warm whites with dimmable the ones in 1ambrettas thread look good

i ll have LEDs in the cupboards it will make the warm lights look a bit odd you can turn the cool whites off if its bright saving power they all bright looking up at them and dont know how much my halo will put out till i fit it

 

[1ambretta]

Just a quick update. With the help of the replies to this thread I have managed to get all the wires in for my lighting, trouble free.
Today I have ordered the 12v dimmable touch led lights and will fit them when they arrive after Easter. Once again thank you for your help.