cab lights- yay or nay

[Rman]

My truck has almost every option (atleast that mattered to me) one of the ones that were left out because i had to take what was on hand is cab lights. I don't tow all that much, i'll haul hay or a tractor for my father-in-law from time to time but nothing major. I know the austhetics are purely what I'm after... BUT is it worth all that trouble.



I have this fear of drilling the roof, but after the first one i'm sure the rest will get easier? The lights are cheap, so that's no issue. Bottom line do I do it and cowboy up with my drill in hand and my truck scared to death of me, or do i wise up and say to hell with it i'm not cool enough for cab lights.



Especially pipe up if you've done the install and had no issues. Horror stories are welcomed as well. I'm preparing myself for a RodPod install on the interior, so cutting and grinding will be getting easier shortly! Now that my truck isn't so "new" anymore. I rammed a light pole last week, darn things right in the middle of parking lots... ridiculous!!!

 

[jrandol]

The install really isnt that bad, mgoncalves and I both did them on our trucks. Take your time, use the paper grid provided with the lights and you'll be fine.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I did mine no problem. Making that first hole is hard - but it does get easier after that. Just take your time placing the paper template and you'll be fine.

 

[Hillbilly Hotrodder]

Buy the kit, use the provided template and just do it. I did mine in May, it was easy as hell.

 

[rrausch]

I did mine a year and a half ago. Drilling the first hole is FUN! I was surprised at how well engineered the kit is. Got mine from Mopar4Less. Be sure and use the template.

 

[VicR]

rrausch,



I see you have a 95 that you added cab lights to. The Mopar kit is for 98-2002, did you have any trouble? Were the wiring instructions different for you?



Thanks,



-Vic

 

[243]

It takes about an hour and a half, two at the most. You don't have to drop the entire headliner, at least in a quad cab. I didn't even remove the dome light on either of my trucks or Okie's when we did his. Use a drill stop or a good winding of electrical tape so you don't hit the headliner when you drill thru.



Attaching the wire to the factory location on the panel is may take a while but once it's done it sure looks good IMO

 

[Jeff Clark]

I did it on my 95 years ago. The only mistake I made was I had the template too far forward and the big holes for the bulb didn't line up with the holes in the second layer of the roof (if that makes any sense). Wasn't really a problem though. The template has marks on it so that you line it up in the right place. I missed that.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

It's a fair amount of work to remove the headliner without damage, find places for the holes where roof reinforcements aren't in the way, etc. If Dodge makes a kit for your year, I'd get it.



I wouldn't do it, especially here in the southwest. Something to leak rain; sun will bake the lights so they will need periodic replacement.



In some eastern areas, heavy pickups are not allowed, like some roads in DC and Maryland. Police would notice the marker lights and stop you.



As you stated, largely a matter of personal preference.

 

[jrandol]

When I bought my truck that was the 1 option mine did not have on it that I wanted (except a real Automatic ) They wanted $485 to install the Dodge kit, I fiquired I would probably get the guy who does the oil changes drilling the holes in my truck so I thought for $85 I would buy the kit and tear up my own roof. I think like most I wanted it for looks not so much for functionality.

 

[AlK]

I purchased my 92 CTD in 1992 and it came with the cab lights. To date, I have had absolutely no problems with them and we get a lot of rain where we live. Personally I like the cab lights - makes the truck look a bit bigger at night.

---

Al

 

[DavidPope]

We've installed them 2wice on 2 both of my little sisters F-250's (the ones K-mart used to sell) NEVER HAD ANY LEAKAGE problems.



PS she was 16 or 17 when SHE DID 100% OF THE INSTALL... we just oversaw the process



don't be worried... I am still trying to figure out if the orange lights will look good on my 100% black sport truck...

 

[Grunt]

David Pope... I have a Black SLT and am contemplating using "Blackout" paint (if I can locate a source) on my cab lights.

I think they would look good and still be "functional".

 

[Oil Burner]

Rhickman'

I plan on doing mine this summer. Go for it.

-Jason

 

[rrausch]

Vic R--I used the correct part number for the '95, whatever that is.



I needed to pull the headliner down anyway because of peeling fabric which needed to be re-glued, so I did both jobs at once.