3500 Cabtop Clearance Lights

[Archive]

Just took delivery on my black 2000 3500
4x4 LB ISB. What an awesome beast! But those
ugly yellow lights on top have got to go.
I took one off but there are three holes to
plug for each of the 5 lights. Does anyone make black covers for the clearance lights like they do for headlights?
Bob in Sacramento

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I'm no expert on this, but I believe those ugly ol' cab lights are a federal requirement due to the width at the duals.

But I agree about how they look. The cab lights are the ONLY available option I did not get on my new (six-day old) 2000 3/4 ton.

 

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It's a GVWR thing. If the truck is rated past a certain GVWR then the cab lights are required.

If you don't want 'em you didn't need a truck that size anyway -- go get a Toyota, I hear they can out-pull anything.

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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 4" Exhaust elbow down, PowerMax1, dang near everything else
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com

 

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Tulsa 618 & Mark,

True, If you change to a RV type tailgate, you should install the red ID lights on your tailgate like the factory tailgate. If you are running around solo, you could get stopped with out them since they are a federal requirement too.

Bill

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97 3500CC,Auto,4. 10LSD,All Options incl Leather,Pyro,Boost,Trans. Temp Gauges, PacBrake, 3 pos TC Lockup Switch, RPM 40Gal. Aux. Fuel Tank, Reese 20K Hitch, Highway Products Tool Box, 80% Towing 12,100lb. HitchhikerII 5'er. 2000 3500QC 6 Speed,4. 10LSD,SLT+ on Order since 9-23-99,"D" Order Status

 

[Archive]

Mark,

Cruel, VERY cruel!!!! #ad


Ben

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2000 3500 Quad Cab, SLT+, LSD, 4x2 Auto, 3. 54, Camper Option, Trailer Option, Sports Option, Sliding Read Window, BLACK.

 

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The lights are required on any dually. They're to identify that the vehicle is more than 80" wide, per section 393 of the FHWA Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (I just looked it up). Technically, the outer lamps are "clearance lamps" and the inner 3 are "identification lamps". They also need to be on the rear, hence the 3 lights on dually tailgates.
My guess would be that the same rules are the same for Canada, too.
Why would you want to remove them? Ever notice when you're driving on a straight road with ups and downs that the first thing you see on a truck coming toward you is the clearance lights? They're there for safety. Also, they let the world know that you have a "real" truck, not some pansy wimp-wagon SUV.
Andy

 

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Same rules here in Canada EH!
Might be more hassle then its worth to remove them but then again maybe its not a striclty enforced rule/law. I would like to see a more streamlined modern looking light. The ones on these trucks are from the 70's. DC must've had a surplus to get rid of. Just looked at the PT Cruiser on DC's site... wonder if I can wedge a cummins in that thing? #ad
#ad
#ad


SCOTT
Rammin' in full illumination.


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LIFT IT FLIP IT OR...
RAMIT!

 

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I must have done bad drugs in my formidable years. I like the cab lights. In fact, I made sure that the cab lights came standard before I shopped around for the truck. Until I read this post, though, I didn't know they were required by law. You have no doubt as to what's coming down the road when you see those five lights up on the roof. When I'm warming the beast up in the morning, I like the way the cab and clearance and parking lights illuminate the driveway. Tough looking!!


John

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec diff. cover; Speedliner spray in bed-liner; Amsoil foam air filter; Smittybuilt step rails; JVC 12 disk CD system; Windows tinted; Manual transmission filter kit; Geno's EZ Drain oil pan plug; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges on a twin A pillar mount. Towing a 31 ft. NOMAD single slideout TT.
Rammin' and Runnin' the roads

 

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The '99 and newer trucks have a much different lense on the cab lights, that is much more streamlined (a bit similar to the GM lights). The '98 and earlier trucks seem to have these stubs, that look similar to the early '80's GM cab lights. I like the lights on my '99.

Regards,
-Mark Nelson


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Incline Village, Nevada
Quattrosport, Inc.
http://www.quattrosport.com

'99 3500QC 4x4 ISB 5-spd, 3. 55 LSD, Bright White, MCM Legacy shell, Tekonsha Sentinel brake controller

'97 Haulmark 24' race trailer

 

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The lights are there for a purpose... identification and clearance by law. Andy and mark have hit it on the head. They signify a TRUCK... not an S. U. V.

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92cum'ns 5spd 4wd all possible mods. to void warranty.

 

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All right already! They are growing on me and my wife and kids love the cab lights. I just thought they detracted from my truck's all black sleek look and was wishing there was a legal black cover for the markers. Oh well, Mr. Moderator, you can close this thread if you'de like as I guess I'm stuck with them.

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Bob in Sacramento
Y2K All Black 3500 ISB 4x4 4:10 LSD,Auto,QC,SLT Laramie, LB, Polished Stull Billet Grill & Fog inserts, Chrome Smitty Built Step Rails, Diamond Plate Tool Box, OEM U. R. Bedliner.

 

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Peer pressure wins! #ad



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Big MAK
98. 5 ISB 5spd 4x4 Quad Cab 3500, 4" Exhaust elbow down, PowerMax1, dang near everything else
https://www.turbodieseltrucks.com

 

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I have always liked the look of the cab marker lights, and my 96 wasn't ordered with them, so I bought a set. No dealer would install them, so I had to do it myself. Had to be the scariest moment of my relationship with my truck. Drilling that first hole!!! There was no going back after that... When I drove into work, I got a lot of positive comments, and when I am towing my boat, it lets other drivers know there is a wide load coming...