Electrical Considerations
Otherwise Known as Wiring Tricks
Before the Rover, I had built and wired many a VW swamp buggy. A weak link in the Rover was the headlite buckets. I ordered some VW Baja style headlight buckets from J.C.Whitney. These are made of a composite material and will not rust. Water intrusion into the original buckets had turned them into rusty lace. With a little cutting the baja buckets fit fine, and you cannot tell the difference with the chrome ring on.
Another weak link in any automotive electrical system is the switches. I wanted to protect mine from water and corrosion as much as possible. I moved the starter button up to the dash, and installed a NAPA ignition and starter switch. I also moved the headlite dimmer to the dash, using a two way toggle switch to put in high and low beam circuits. The taillites and running lites are wired separately, so if there is a short, I do not lose my headlites. As a last resort, two spotlites are on another circuit. All of these circuits are activated by simple toggle switches. The toggles are protected by rubber caps. I use a NAPA fuse box which is mounted behind the dash to protect it. The main fuse is an inline unit that is placed directly under the dash so I can fish it out without having to remove the dash. Lastly, there is the power port. I did not want to cut anything to mount a radio, so I put a radio and speakers in an ammo box. I painted it, bolted on a spare LandRover badge, put an antenna on it, installed a couple of spare toggles, and plug it into this port for music. Most people think it is an authentic Rover radio.
I want to see that radio!
Next
[ Electrical Considerations ] [ Bulkhead Removal ] [ Car Wash! ]
[ Engine Painting, Bulkhead Prep ] [ Rotten Frame ] [ Clearing The Shop ]
[ The Galvanized Frame ] [ Running Wires & Brake Lines ] [ I Drive It Again! ]
[ Finishing Up ] [ Rover Home ]
