Late Model Map Light Replacement

[Mr Half of Me]

I have a '68 SRL311. The Map Light wasn't working on it. I took it apart to see if I could fix it. Nothin doin, the thing is a POS. So I was in AutoZone perusing to see if I could find a solution. One of the guys there is really nice and helpful. He's a Hot Rod guy, you know, they're all into hacks and modifications. We had the idea to use a Cigarette Lighter body in place of the light. They make all kinds of accessories for cigarette lighters or power ports as they have become today. One of these accessories are rechargeable LED flashlights. So here's my solution.

It's the Coast Cutlery Tek Torches 7575. I picked it up on Amazon for about $25. Twist it clockwise, and the light turns on. Twist it counter clockwise and the light turns off and charges. A dull blue light is emitted from the flashlight when it is charging. It fits very nicely into the cigarette body I got for it, and comes with an adapter for more modern power ports. It's very well made of stainless steel. I picked up the cigarette lighter at AutoZone for about $5 or $6. Inexpensive, bright, elegant solution. And you can take it out of the lighter body to use it wherever you want, unlike the original map light. Obviously, there are other lights out that will do the same thing, including lightes with adjustable necks on them.

[fj20spl311]

Very cool

[sleepyzzz]

very nice write up on a great idea. i like that you can take the light out and use it when changing a flat, or working under the hood.

if and when my map light fails to work, i will use your mod, thanks.

[notoptoy]

Nice looking modern solution! Thanks for sharing.

[Linda]

Clever and practical

Linda

[dbrick]

That's brilliant. The only thing you might want to add is a rubber boot over the rear of the lighter.
I used a maplight/mirror combo from a Saab, which works well, but yours is a dual purpose, as you can remove it and use anywhere.