Underhood mounted reel light

Rockrz · Post by **Rockrz** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:22 pm

I searched and couldn't find a thred that mentioned what I'm wanting to know...

I was looking at the page about the Underhood mounted reel light
at http://www.s-10crewcab.com/og1/modinfo/rlight.html
and I think this would be a very helpful thing to have.

But, I didn't see in the write up anything about where this
reel light came from.

What vehicle did these come on originally?
I'd need to know that so I could try to find one.

Post by **HenryJ** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:27 pm

installation of the reel hood light , and random adventures
Mid to late ninties full size.

Rockrz · Post by **Rockrz** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:32 pm

OK, I'll check Rock Auto and GM Parts direct and see if they might have new ones by chance...since my new '03 is virtually new (it actually looks like a brand new truck)

Hopefully if I can find a new one it won't cost an arm & a leg...

Rockrz · Post by **Rockrz** » Tue Dec 09, 2008 5:46 pm

Just got one off of eBay for $29.99
that they said was "in real good condition"

I guess I'll find out when it gets here....

Rich K. · Post by **Rich K.** » Sat Jan 10, 2009 9:55 pm

Rockrz,

I really like this idea. I checked with LMC truck and they want $60 bucks for the reel light. $29 was a bargain if it was in the shape they claimed. Did you get this mounted? Was it in good shape?

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:33 pm

You should be able to find a good workable light for under the hood at a salvage yard. Ford also had these as an option in the 70s and 80s and 90s. Might be worth a look see and don't rule out other OEMs or cars either. My .02 worth.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 2:41 pm

'80s Cherokees (the small ones, commonly called XJs have them too) but, most of any older stuff was crushed and sold as scrap when the prices were high.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 5:51 pm

I am not aware of any others that have a reel light under the hood. Are you two saying there are?

The reel light has a cord and magnetic base. It is a 12 volt underhood trouble light.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:00 pm

HenryJ wrote:I am not aware of any others that have a reel light under the hood. Are you two saying there are?

The reel light has a cord and magnetic base. It is a 12 volt underhood trouble light.

The Cherokee's did not have a magnetic base. They were attached with fasteners. I may have spoken inappropriately.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:09 pm

f9k9 wrote:The Cherokee's did not have a magnetic base. They were attached with fasteners. I may have spoken inappropriately.

Do they also have an extendable cord and reel to stow the light? Or are they just a fixed mount under hood light?

I think these guys were looking for the under hood reel light that acts as a trouble light. Movable to where ever you want it and then reel in the cord to stow it.

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 9:29 pm

HenryJ wrote:......................... A coworker drives an '87, with a reel type hood light, and I will look at his in the morning.

It was definitely a reel type. Why not just invest $15 in a head lamp style led lighting system and toss it in the tool pr clove box? This getting way to complicated for me.

killian96ss · Post by **killian96ss** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:06 pm

Early 90's Oldsmobiles like the Cutlass also have the under hood reel light.

My Grandfather has a 93 Cutlass with same light.

Steve

Rich K. · Post by **Rich K.** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 1:00 pm

I think this sounds like a great exuse for a trip to the old salvage yard for some ideas and hopefully a lucky find! Thanks for the input!

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:05 pm

A quick search for under hood light on E-bay also reveals some of these for sale.

okie s10 · Post by **okie s10** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 4:13 pm

Gotta mention I put one of those reel lights down by the inner fender and it is handy. But I also put a regular under-hood light, mounted to bottom side of hood, that comes on every time you raise the hood. Got it off ebay.

Rockrz · Post by **Rockrz** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:48 pm

okie s10 wrote:I also put a regular under-hood light, mounted to bottom side of hood, that comes on every time you raise the hood.

What did you search eBay for, S10 underhood light?

And, is there a switch or some thing that switches
the light on when you open the hood?

roadrunner · Post by **roadrunner** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:27 am

Most (not all) under-hood lights are mercury switch activated. There are a few that are tied into the park light circuit which can be handy whether or not they are switch activated. Not so handy if you want the lights off while wanting the engine compartment illuminated. On my stock 01 the under-hood light comes on day or night but is on a computer controlled circuit (or perhaps a timer) so if left open for long periods of time it shuts off. And no I have not timed it to see how long it stays on.

Post by **HenryJ** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:32 am

roadrunner wrote:Most (not all) under-hood lights are mercury switch activated...

Tilt or angle activated might be a better description. The hazardous material mercury has been removed from the manufacture for switches of this type.

Rockrz · Post by **Rockrz** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:34 am

My '96 truck came with one from the factory so I'll
probably take that off and put it on my '03 truck.

I'm giving the '96 truck to my wife's son so I'll buy
him a flashlight in case he needs to look under the
hood after the sun goes down

F9K9 · Post by **F9K9** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:53 pm

Probably cheaper and useful for many other applications.

04crewvt · Post by **04crewvt** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 12:59 pm

I snagged a reel light and under hood light from my 89 Silverado. Just waiting till spring to clean them up and get them installed.

Rockrz · Post by **Rockrz** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 1:35 pm

Yep, I got a nice reel light too from a Surburban.
I'm going to eventually install that one too, but
I also want the one that comes on by itself
on the back side of the hood.

That's how the one on my '96 works.
There's no visable switch or anything so it must
be one of those mercury setups.

Rich K. · Post by **Rich K.** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:02 pm

Scouted around one of the local salvage yards and found a reel light on a 96 Chevy truck. Got it for $1.50 along with a composite T-case skid plate that only set me back $10. I've got plans for both but the T-case is for another topic.

The reel light is in great shape and still has the pig tail so it will be easy to wire up. It was attached to the passenger side of the engine compartment right over the wheel well. I almost missed it because I was looking more at the firewall. I found a second one but it was missing the pig tail and the light fixture itself. Now I have to find the install time.

Rich K. · Post by **Rich K.** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 4:11 pm

BTW, I like this option over a flashlight or LED Headlamp. There never seems to be enough space in the interior storage compartments and just as soon as you find the dire need for a moveable light in the engine compartment that is when you find out the wife needed to use the flashlight and took it out of the truck to locate her chapstick she dropped in the snow and then took the flashlight into the house.

Rockrz · Post by **Rockrz** » Tue Feb 03, 2009 7:44 pm

Rich K. wrote:that is when you find out the wife needed to use the flashlight and took it out of the truck to locate her chapstick

Yeah, when I was a kid my dad got mad alot and frequently he would
say, "that just chaps my *ss"

Me and my brother used to laugh when we would imagine that
he needed to get a great big container of Chapstick to apply to
his chapped back side

I guess you just had to be there...

Rich K. · Post by **Rich K.** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 9:55 pm

A big ol' tub of Carmex! Now that is funny!

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Underhood mounted reel light

Underhood mounted reel light

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