Attenion Body Men!

[Tony T.]

I was planning on installing a light on the tailgate (center) of my 03 SRW like the 03 DRW's have, but looking at the owner's manual noticed that three holes will have to be cut in the tailgate for the light to mount. Wiring this up is not a problem, but what would you use to cut the holes out with. Have not seen a DRW with out the light removed so I don't have any measurements. Would like to do a nice and clean looking job factory looking, if possible. Hey! I just like lights. Thanks in advance for reply. Oo.

 

[lawdog]

I am not a body man, but a drill that works real good on sheet metal is a UNI-BIT. It is a stepped bit. Pricey, but the drill nice and do not grab and bend up metal. I would start with a pilot hole with a small standard bit and then use the UNI-BIT to the desired size. Don't forget to prime the holes after you drill them... .

 

[Tony T.]

Thanks lawdog: I'll do some checking around for the UNI-BIT and thanks on the suggestion. Sure don't want to warp the metal or have scratches I can't hide easy.

 

[MattSt]

Check around, you might just find someone to trade you. I know if I could trade for one without the light I would in a heartbeat!

 

[CIverson]

Originally posted by MattSt

Check around, you might just find someone to trade you. I know if I could trade for one without the light I would in a heartbeat!

If you happen to come around upper MI or Wi then just hit me up

 

[MattSt]

Originally posted by CIverson

If you happen to come around upper MI or Wi then just hit me up

Not any plans in the near future, but I will remember that!

 

[Tony T.]

Matt: Check your state law first before you trade if you do. Here in Texas I believe it's required on the DRW'S to have the light in the center of the tailgate. They just recently started passing out tickets if your license plate has one of those plastic or metal borders that partially blocks the lettering Texas. There excuse is that they can't tell if it's a vehicle from Texas or out of state. " Yeah Right!" Sounds like a way to get some hard earn money out of you to me. There's a state emblem right in the center.

 

[Ladders]

LOWES has a set of 3 Unibits for about 60$ and also and individual one for about 28 here in town. Bought the 3 set (#1,3t,4) so I can carry 1 and keep the others spread between LC & Abq. (And of course, the wrong 1 will be where I need it NOW as per normal Murphy's Law)



SOTSU!!

\\BF//

 

[MattSt]

Originally posted by Tony T.

Matt: Check your state law first before you trade if you do. Here in Texas I believe it's required on the DRW'S to have the light in the center of the tailgate.

We have the same stupid law. I don't care. If I were to get ticketed I would put some small LED's in between the tailgate and bumper. I wouldn't mind so much but the light they put on just looks huge on a light colored truck. This is 5 floors UP and 50 yards south of where I'm standing!



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[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by lawdog

I am not a body man, but a drill that works real good on sheet metal is a UNI-BIT. It is a stepped bit. Pricey, but the drill nice and do not grab and bend up metal. I would start with a pilot hole with a small standard bit and then use the UNI-BIT to the desired size. Don't forget to prime the holes after you drill them... .

Unibits are great. I liked the look of the tail gate light so much I put it on my aluminum towing tailgate .



Dean



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[DF5152]

use some masking tape to set up ur patern then drill ur holes. the tape will protect the paint if the bit walks and any other oops.

 

[Tony T.]

Matt that is a good looking truck, I would keep the light if I were you, but everyone does have their likes and dislikes. And Dean that is a nice looking 5ver tailgate, the light looks good on there like that, thanks for the idea! Also caught the CTD emblem to the side "looks good there"Oo.

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by DF5152

use some masking tape to set up ur patern then drill ur holes. the tape will protect the paint if the bit walks and any other oops.

Thanks DF5152

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Tony T.

Dean that is a nice looking 5ver tailgate, the light looks good on there like that, thanks for the idea! Also caught the CTD emblem to the side "looks good there"Oo.

Thanks, did you spot the "Laramie" emblem under the Cummins one?



Dean

 

[Tony T.]

I had to go back for a second look for the Laramie emblem that CTD emblem just over powered the other emblem, but that's nothing new that CTD over powers a lot of things. :-laf

 

[WadePatton]

The 03 Service Manual would probably have an illustration of the tailgate holes. Wouldn't be without my Service Manual.

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by WadePatton

The 03 Service Manual would probably have an illustration of the tailgate holes. Wouldn't be without my Service Manual.

Wade: The holes appear to be rectangular by looking at the picture in the owners manual. It would be nice to have the measurements, or even a template, don't know if a service manual would show that or not.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Tony T.

I had to go back for a second look for the Laramie emblem that CTD emblem just over powered the other emblem, but that's nothing new that CTD over powers a lot of things. :-laf

I notice the truck goes a bit faster with that badge on it . I don't even notice the extra weight



:-laf :-laf



Dean