IHC Lighting Kits & Interiors

[Anonymous]

Sorry if this has been discussed previously, but I was unable to find answers using the search engine.

I have a set of IHC heavyweight passenger cars that I am finishing with IHC interiors and lighting kits. I have a question regarding the IHC lighting kits, and how they work with the installation of IHC interiors!

I followed the instructions to a tee, inserted the bushing in the truck, then proceeded to insert the screw from the bottom up through the contact, truck, bushing, and floor board. However, when I went to dry fit the interior the screw was sticking up too far to allow the interior to lay flat. Another problem with the instructions, that I noticed while dry fitting, was they call for a mounting post to be placed on that screw to hold the light. [banghead]

This is a problem because currently, there is no hole in the interior to allow the post and screw to portrude though. If they require you to drill a hole, IHC never hints around to doing this in their instructions, nor do they even mention anything about these being installed with the interiors. [%-)]

Are the mounting posts necessary? I noticed the slits cut in the white cardboard reflective piece. Is placing the light in these the alternative to the mounting posts? Unless I'm doing something drastically wrong, it looks like drilling is eminent, but I wanted to get a few expert opinions first!

Just wondering if anyone out there may be able to shed some light (pun intended), or may have had a similar experience with these kits before I go and deface the interior by jumping to conclusions and drilling. Like I said, they're all IHC products and are compatible with one another.

Thanks in advance!

Mick R.

[Anonymous]

I have completed several of these IHC interior and lighting kits in some of my heavyweight passenger cars. You do need to drill a hole in the plastic interior. The hole needs to be big enough to also house the light post, because the screw they provide is not long enough to take all the nuts, the light post and the wires. Also you could run into height problems if you don't get the post on the orginal floor of the car. lI gave up on IHC pickups for this setup I use Jay Bee wiipers for the electrical pickup.
Bill

[Anonymous]

Thanks Bill!
How big of a hole are we talking? 1/4", or 1/8", or is it subjective? In looking at the bottom of the interior there is a circle, as if to indicate where you should drill, but I wasn't sure if that's what its purpose was!
Does the finished product dimini***he look at all? I thought it kind of odd that they would have the posts essentially in view, ,and not down the side or some place more subtle!
Also, the instructions indicated to insert the bushing "IN" the truck. Since the bushing didn't fit in the truck without excessive force, I assumed it was suppose to just rest on top of the truck.
I'll check out the Jay Bee wipers. Are they common enough for hobby stores to carry them, or do I need to order them off the net?

Thanks again for the reply and info!

Mick

[Anonymous]

Mick....You need to make the holes big enough so the bottom of the posts fit in and you can turn the nuts tight. Sorry to say that Jay Bee went out of business. When I heard that I bought the entire stock at the LHS. There are other wipers out there. Tomar makes good wipers too and they are better than the cheap ones that come from IHC.
Bill

[Anonymous]

Appreciate the help Bill! I'll look into Tomar then! Take care

[AntonioFP45]

Mick,

You asked me this question before. Sorry I slipped and didn't reply!

For Bill (2Jorge) give a good recommendation. For drilling, start out with a 1/8" hole and go larger only if needed. If you have a hard time finding wipers at hobby businesses, you can check out an electrical supply store which would be available in various sizes and thicknesses.

Keep us posted on your progress!

[Anonymous]

Antonio, not a problem! Thanks for the recommendation as well! I did stop by one of our local Hobby Towns here in Omaha, and they are predominantly radio control racing, so I struck out there. Wish me luck on my quest! I will keep you posted, and maybe share some pics when I get it all detailed, lit up, and full of passengers! Have a great weekend!

Mick