Cab Clearance Light Kit - Dealer Says NO ??

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I need some help.

I purchased the Cab Clearance Light kit from Mopar-4-Less. I got a good price on part number 82205120, $47. 50. Kit came with wires, lamps, sockets, a brown modular connector, paper roof template . . seemed to be everything. (except the instructions for removing the headliner)

While I have the headliner down . . I thought about adding the mini overhead console. So I called the dealership for part numbers and prices.

I explained to the parts guy that while I was installing the light kit and had the headliner down . . what were the additional pieces necessary to add the console and whether it was do'able.

As I was waiting for a price from the parts dude . . someone else came on the line and introduced himself as the electrical guy. He was very emphatic about NOT being able to add the kit.

They said I could not add the cab clearance light kit without changing out the entire headlight wiring harness & dash headlight switch. Something about some additional relay kit included in the upgraded harness. And if I added the cab clearance light kit without the headlight harness upgrade, that I'd burn up wires under the dash behind the fuse panel, the light switch, and wires in the running light circuits. he said he'd seen it several times!

Can anyone verify if this is the case?

I have a Y2K 2500 ST. No power locks windows, or mirrors. The only option I got was Tilt & Cruise, Stereo Cassette and Trailer Tow & Camper packages . . and of course the Cummins / 5sp.

Any Information would be appreciated!
Michael

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00 Driftwood 2500 ST QC ISB LB 5spd 3:54 LSD Tow & Camper Groups

my photos

[This message has been edited by madams (edited 06-21-2000). ]

 

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Oh . . by the way. The dealer faxed me a parts list and price quote for the mini overhead console.

Would anyone have guessed it was over $270 . . well it was!

I hate to see what it would cost for the additional trip computer stuff.

Michael

[This message has been edited by madams (edited 06-21-2000). ]

 

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Several people on this site, myself included, have added the clearence lights. I did the kit on my 95 2500 without all the BS the parts guy said you had to have. I don't know what the others had to use. Run a search and see if you can find it. I ran the wire down the pillar and wired it right to the headlight switch. That nelted. Turns out two connectors touched and shorted. I replaced the switch and ran the wire thru the firewall all the way up to one of the running lights next to the headlight. I spliced into that and soldered the connection. Worked fine for almost 3 years (I traded it in).

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98. 5 3500 QC 4x4, Driftwood/Mist Grey, 5 spd, 3. 54, 19. 5 Alcoa's, 245/70-19. 5 Michelin's, Ranchhand front bumper, Ranchhand rear bumper, Ranchhand toolbox, "Scotty Air", TST PowerMax2, Autometer Gauges, Centerforce clutch, Upgraded fuel lines (JRE and Aeroquip), MagHytec Diff Cover, PacBrake

 

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I added clearance lights to my 98. 5 and just followed the instructions given (plus the service manual instructions on how to drop the headliner). I haven't had any problems in 20,000 miles with mine.

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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR, Chapter Forums Moderator
'98 Quad Cab Long Bed (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, Prime-loc remote fuel filter, boost & pyro gauges, TST Powermax, muffler eliminator, 5" chrome tip, BD Exhaust Brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, Permatech spray in liner, Grizzly stainless nerf bars, Stull SS grill & bumper inserts, Front Draw-Tite receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's

[This message has been edited by Steve St. Laurent (edited 06-21-2000). ]

 

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Michael,
you can avoid putting any additional
load on your headlite switch by simply using
a $5 radio shack relay. The headlite switch
activates the relay & the relay puts 12volts
to the marker lites. It's really quite easy to do. Good luck,
Rick


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99 3500 4x4 QC,5spd,3. 55 posi,turn over ball goose neck hitch,Putnam class V reciever hitch,Alcoa alum. wheels,275 hp inj. home built boost module,4 in. straight exhaust(built it in my shop)Pac brake,4 leaf overload springs,all options execpt leather & keyless entry,10 ft. camper,2horse tongue pull trlr. ,30 ft. gooseneck 3 horse living quarter trlr. ,24 ft flat bed that I haul my Ford 4x4 race truck on.

 

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Rapid Rick, that's what I was going to say. Except I may differ with you on your choice of relay vendors. My experience with Radio Shack relays is about a 30% failure rate. Usually they're just dead when you open the package, but sometimes they fail later and they fail "ON". It happened to me on my old Land Cruiser. The relay just turned ON in the middle of the night. The next morning I noticed the plastic covers over my HE lights were all melted and the battery was dead -- inside switch was still "off". The relay just decided to turn on all by itself.

Been using Hella (Painless Wiring) ever since with no problems and not a single failure -- about 15 years and a couple dozen relays.

[This message has been edited by Kyle (edited 06-22-2000). ]

[This message has been edited by Kyle (edited 06-22-2000). ]

 

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I also added the cab clearance lights and ran the hot wire up to the driver side running light. That was six months ago, no problems... . I never ask the DC guys anything about BOMBing of any sort; legal liability requires they say no. If you don't ask any questions, you don't have to answer any. They flipped out when I spoke with them about changing the 2500 brake wheel cylinders to the 3500's to correct the underbraking of the rear wheels which destroys the front rotors and pads... ... . Big difference.

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1998 Driftwood Extended Cab, short box,12 valve,4X4,automatic, 3. 55, 52,000 miles, Banks cam plate, Rickson 19. 5's, Abbott EPRA, Rancho Shocks,Heim trackbar, NoCat, Ranchhand headache rack with side rails, in bed tool chest, side steps and rear bumper.

 

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DOWG, good point about not asking the dealer for advice on upgrades. BTW, I love your truck. After I bought mine, I wished I had ordered a 2500 4x4 Shorty. Your truck just looks right.

 

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Thanks for all the advice fellow TDR members. This is one project off the "To Do List" #ad


I took every ones advice and purchased the auxillary relay. Its one of those for the offroad lighting kits . . 30 amp.

Brought in a fused (7. 5 amp)12v feed from the under hood distribution panel for the load side of the relay. I used the terminal 8 connector where the kit should have connected (per instructions) . . and used that lead as the switched 12v source for the coil. Worked out very nicely.

For what its worth . . the new kit for the Y2K have the electrical connection instructions correct. If I wouldn't have done the relay thing . . then it would have worked as instructed.

And on another note . . Rob Meyers . . You-DA-Man dude!!! Those instructions and crib notes from Evan and others were PERFECT. Really above and beyond the call of duty . . I sure hope I can return the favor one day. Sure made the headliner removal a snap. Now I see why DC created the quad cab . . it was so they could get the headliner in easier #ad


Less than an hour to do the wiring, I wanted to do the relay stuff first. Two hours to drop the head liner, layout & drill the holes, connect the ceiling wiring harness and test. Half to 45 mins to screw everything down . . and put the interior back together and admire.

Boy . . that center light drilling and install was a _itch!

I documented with photos . . hope to update my site by the end of the month.

Again . . Thanks everyone for all the help #ad


Michael

[This message has been edited by madams (edited 06-23-2000). ]

 

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Takes a lotta guts to drill that first hole, And then you're commited!..... DDG

 

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I do not know about the newer trucks, but there was a recall on some trucks pertaining to the wiring and switch failing if any lights were added. If the truck had the factory trailer wiring package it was OK. If not the dealer was to add a relay or something.

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Paul A. Schmidt
95, 4X4, SLT 2500, 5 spd. , 4. 10, 270 hp. ,675ft. lb. TST, AFC spring kit,215hp. injectors, Pacbrake, Walker muffler,
GearVendor O. D.
Eastern PA.

 

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Dennis . . I actually had more trouble with the first center punch knock. After those were punched (15 marks) I couldn't wait to drill-em

Paul . . as usual the advice from this board was tremendous . . all advised the aux relay to prevent problems. I got a heavy duty one . . and now that it's finished . . sure glad I took the extra time, piece of mind! #ad


Michael