My '71 did not come with this lighting but I would like to add it. It appears that all the OEM sockets I've found for sale have a short section of wire with a plug-in connector. Were all the dash harnesses wired with plug-in connectors for these regardless of whether the option was selected (as is often the case)? I'm wondering if anybody knows before I remove all the duct work under the dash to look.

 

Mike: not sure about 71. 70 models varied in the wiring: verts vs non verts and based on the courtesy lamp option. I think either the assembly manual or the Fisher body manual for 70 notes different setups, so those docuemnts for 71 may be a good palce to check.

 

Thanks, I have the Fisher Body manual and Assembly manual I'll what I can dig up. My car HAS the headlight switch flood light but not the glove box or optional map light. Also I have the console box light, underhood and trunk lighting so it's like I got some of the optional lighting group but not the whole group.

 

I just did this addition to my 71 442. There is a facrory connector up above the clock area that you plug in the factory courtesy light harness. In the pictures you can see all the additional wires and sockets. To do the full addition, you will need the small cylindrical light housings for the headlight switch and the ashtray. You will need the courtesy map light in place of the block off plate. Also, with the light package you get three additional floodlights. To add this you have to add the metal housing and blue lense for the left side of the dash to shine down on the wiper switch area. An additional bulb is provided for the right side over the A/C/ Heater controls. That one is easy, as the housing is already there. The kick panel lights are included and just snap in the lower metal dash. There is also a wire provided for the map light mirror feed. I did all mine with the dash out, a much easier job. Hope you can make sense of all this. Ask for further clarification. More pictures to follow.

 

more pictures:

 

Excellent documentation pictures, Brian! Easy to install with dash out!

 

Thanks Brian!

 

I have some/most/all of those parts if you need anything.
Thanks.
Scott
c. 317-727-7041

 

Brian - I've got the same harness that you show and trying to figure out where everything goes. Have you got a picture showing what the harness plugs in or connects to? Unfortunately, I'm attempting this with the dash in and it's a royal PITA. Haven't even attempted removing the headlight switch yet to add the light. I really hope these bulbs last a long time! Thanks!

Mike, have you had any luck with your install?

 

Hey Scott. No I thought if the wire harness already had the 'pigtails' to just 'plug-in' the kick panel lights I would do it but it's not worth it to me to try and do the whole harness. Oddly enough I'm pretty sure I have the headlight switch flood light but none of the other lights. I'll have to double check. There's a show at Lake Wheeler Park on Saturday the 28th. Hope to see you there.

 

Yeah, planning to go on the 28th but won't be in the Olds. Car is in a million pieces it seems. Doing an interior makeover...and installing the Dual Gate. Might have it back together in time for the downtown show in Aug...if I don't have to remove the dash to install this light package...ahhhhh.

 

[QUOTE=scott_442;395789]Brian - I've got the same harness that you show and trying to figure out where everything goes. Have you got a picture showing what the harness plugs in or connects to? Unfortunately, I'm attempting this with the dash in and it's a royal PITA. Haven't even attempted removing the headlight switch yet to add the light. I really hope these bulbs last a long time! Thanks!

Here you go. I don't envy you trying to do it with the dash installed. Good luck.

 

Look forward to seeing you there.

 

Thanks Brian - unfortunately, I can't tell which wires are actually attached to that plug. The only plug I have free in that general area has a gray wire and a white wire and the 3 prongs on the attachment end. I've got too much time invested in this project to just plug it in and see what happens . Could you possibly get another pic that shows the other end of that plug? Thanks!

 

I'll try later today or tomorrow as the dash is packed away, not in a suitable position for pictures from the back. I don't really understand your dilemma as the accessory harness just snaps into that plug in the picture. There are two other single wires for the clock power and lights, but you may already have a clock. If I remember correctly, there is a single wire hanging further over for a glove box light. Also, the trunk and underhood light wires are in all cars. So you want to know the colors of the individual wires that are connected to the existing plug above the clock area where the accessory harness plugs into?

 

Brain - Actually, don't worry about the other pics. I took some pics of mine to show what I was talking about and as I was looking at them, I saw something that wasn't visible while laying on my back with my head wedged up under the dash. Ah, the benefits of removing the dash are now most obvious . If you look closely at the plug, you'll see what I'm talking about.

 

Brian, now that you have it all installed how is the lighting? One of the guys on this site (can't remember right now) said he used Silverstar 168 / 194's on his car and they're much brighter. Do you think it would be necessary?

I think I'll go the easy way like you did and just take out the dash. Besides, I have to drill holes in it for the seat belt 'fasten lights' pod that goes with my rallye pac.

 

I am trying to put my dash back together with my new speedhut gauges and I can't remember where the ground wires for the courtesy lights have to attach. I'm assuming they need to connect to a screw that has the metal tab running behind it (as on the right courtesy light in attached pic), and it gets ground connection through the headlight switch. Is that correct?

 

That ground wire you hold is for a factory dash lighting bulb - not a courtesy light. Therefore it connects under one of the screws to the right to chassis ground. The bulbs get power through the headlight dimmer control.

 

Well with factory guages the gound wire is attached to one of the gauge mounting screws. There are (3) on the OEM gauge assy, I'm not sure what kind of setup you have on the Speedhut guage. But, like you said, the ground doesn't care where it gets it's ground so as long as it's metal and is grounded you should be fine.

 

NO. There are several grounds in the lighting circuit - all attached to the dash frame.

?? Confused here Rob, that is a ground wire he's holding.

 

Ah...so the studs that mount the dash to the metal frame underneath are the actual grounding? Makes sense, since all the metal around the gauges and such connect to them. Thx for clarifying.

 

I think you're on the right track. The lower dash insert has metal attachment bolts that also hold the grounds for the instruments. So, yes when you secure the lower dash it does ground to the metal subframe.
Here's a pic of one of the dash grounds for the cigar lighter, accessory light and part of the radio attached to one of those bolts. (the radio also has a metal mounting bracket that acts as a ground)