The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Dome light shorted today

I started the 58 today and was backing out, suddenly smoke started pouring from the drivers side windshield inside the roof strut. Wire to dome light was fried. There is no way that another wire can be threaded back thru that needle size hole to the cab roof . I think I will run it down and under the carpet up by the cab corner to the light. any way to do this without tearing the insulation on the wire?

You might be able to pull a wire thru by soldering it to the original wire so the transition is as small as possible. It's worth a try. Under the carpet may be more likely to short than the original routing.

Excellent advice.
The 55-59 FAM doesn't show any wire clips. It does go through (inside) the door post.
If the hole is big enough, I would wrap a little bit of Scotch 33+ electrical tape around the joint.
If it snags, mark the pull wire with a pen or felt tip and pull the wire back some.
Then try again and see if it pulls further.
If it still snags try a little bit of dishwashing detergent as a lubricant.
When you get the new wire through don't cut it. Tie it off so that it doesn't get moved by accident.

I've used a retired speedometer cable to fish wires up through an A pillar on occasion with pretty good success. It's very flexible, yet stiff enough not to kink.
Jerry

Some regular ol' Joe at the factory was able to fish that wire through there. I'm sure you can find a way too. Sometimes, it's just a matter of having the right tool.

while going some of my old junk drawer today I found an old roll of picture hanging wire. going to try this and see if it passes thru without scuffing the insulation. Will also try the dishwashing liquid for slippery.

One other observation- - - -if the wire was able to do a "positive smoke check" it means the voltage powering it was not fused, or WAY over-fused. A dome light probably won't draw over 5 amps of current or a bit more, so a 10 amp fuse inline with the new wire should carry all the current needed to light up your world and also prevent wiring damage in case of another short.
Jerry

Or the right technique. Don't just reef on your pull wire, but gently push on the replacement and gently pull on your pull wire. If it hangs up, back up a bit and twist the whole wire string. Electricians use a yellow goop for lubrication. but petroleum jelly or dishwashing liquid (maybe too thin to stay in place) is probably what you have.
Fusing that wire like Jerry said is also a good plan. There was obviously a sharp spot that wore thru the wire insulation on the originally. But if the fuse blows, you'll still need to find out why (and possibly replace the wire again.)

Don't have a fuse box in this old truck . I've had to use inline fuses on everything that I upgraded. I have used a gel when pulling 3 phase wiring thru conduit but it was so messy. Think I will use the pull and push technique with a few drops of STP.

For a one wire pull, or maybe just a few taped into a small bundle, a "personal lubricant" like K-Y jelly can come in handy. It's a lot less messy than commercial wire pulling "snot"!
Jerry