2004 Z71 rear facing roof rack lights

kenlacy · May 18, 2004

There are 3" cutouts on the back of the rack. My dealer tells me they are meant for lights but they do not install them. They weren't sure if the wiring is already run and where the switch would be placed up fornt.

Does anybody have any info on the wiring and an intended location for the switch.

If necessary there will be a lockout so they can only be activated while in Reverse and park.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ken

Shaners · May 18, 2004

Maybe you could tie them in with the cargo lamp switch that is already on your dash... The only thing I don't know is how heavy the switch is and if it could handle the extra draw without overheating.

kenlacy · May 19, 2004

I have heard from 1 aftermarket source saying the wiring is already there on some but not on others - the wiring is the main concern, if it is not already there, I am not going to bother with the rear lights. Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks,

Ken

Mort · May 19, 2004

Would it be too hard to remove the trim and haul down the headliner a little and have a look for the wiring?

kenlacy · May 19, 2004

Not hard, but that doesn't tell me where the wiring up front comes out. I figured if someone here knew the wiring was there, they'd know where it came out in the dash.

Mort · May 20, 2004

Sorry can't help you on the dash end or the rack end either for that matter because I am not sure of the rack you are referring to. Don't suppose it would be in the information that came with the rack. Maybe if the wiring is there it is just a matter of putting a fuse in the correct location and figuring out what switch to use. I hope someone else has more experience and can help you out.

99-2door · May 20, 2004

i had to take the rack off and put it back on my brother's 2002 z-71 Tahoe, and it had no wiring whatsoever in the rack. I think its that there is wiring in any of them. GM isn't going to waste $0.50 putting wiring in there.

kenlacy · May 20, 2004

Mort, it is the stock rack installed on all Z71's and there is nothing in the manual about it. I know the cutouts are intended for lights, I am told because of legality reasons Chevy doesn't offer the accessory lights.

I am gonna remove the back cover tonight and see if there are any wires. If no wires I am gonna say screw it but if there are then I suppose someone at chevy will eventually have a clue as to where the wires lead to.

AZ-Z71 · May 20, 2004

Well if GM did it for legality reasons, and if they do not sell the lights nor the switch and they are not interested in installing it, I would have to say that they probably did not pre-wire for it. The cut outs are probably there like you said so you can hook up lights but that also means that if you want them you will probably have to wire them as well.