Clearance light template

[AggieJustin]

Has anyone installed clearance lights (the new flat ones) on their truck and still has the installation template lying around?



I've got the lenses and other parts, but the template I have is meant for the older triangular shaped lights. I asked at the dealer and he said the only way to get the template was to purchase the entire kit.



So I'm hoping someone still has the template and would be willing to part with it. If so, drop me an e-mail or a PM.



Thanks,



JM

 

[rrausch]

Somebody here will have one!

But... I have the older style, but when I took my headliner down, I could see that I could have installed my clearance lights with NO template. I could have drilled from the bottom and marked from the top. If you take your headliner down you will see what I mean... if they didn't change it.

 

[Jeff Clark]

I'm getting ready to add an extra set up there. If you can wait a bit, I'll have one for you.

 

[lpearson]

I agree

Originally posted by rrausch

Somebody here will have one!

But... I have the older style, but when I took my headliner down, I could see that I could have installed my clearance lights with NO template. I could have drilled from the bottom and marked from the top. If you take your headliner down you will see what I mean... if they didn't change it.

I have put in 3 clearance light sets in, in 3 different trucks with no template. Pull your headliner down and you will see exactly where to drill, cause there are premade places in the cab for the lights, plus you can tap into the wire harness up there so the cab lights come on with your headlights.



Lowell

 

[AggieJustin]

I'll have to drop my headliner and see if I can see these markings on mine or not.



In the meantime, what size holes does the template say to drill for the inserts where the mounting screws go and what size hole is needed where the wiring passes through?



In the old template they recommended 1/4" holes for the inserts and 3/8" holes for the wiring. But it looks like these flat lights need a much bigger hole for the wiring since the socket hangs down below the base of the light. I was thinking that it would be a 3/4" hole, but I want to double check before poking any holes in my roof.

 

[bighammer]

The inserts can be a PIA-- Why not use a sheet metal screw directly into the roof.



Also, my headliner is off (94) at the moment. I could take some pics and post them so you can see what it loks like in there.

 

[AggieJustin]

I had thought about just doing the screws directly into the roof sheet metal, but I was concerned about leaks. I guess I could just use some silicone around the threads whenever I put the screw in.



And some pictures would be great so I can get an idea what to be looking for. I'll have to find some time to drop my headliner so I can check it out.



Thanks,



Justin

 

[Dennis Garrett]

I found the arched support rib when I pulled the headliner down. Each hole was an inch indiameter, and a 1" hole saw will go up through them & cut a perfect hole in the right spot. Takes a lot of guts to cut that first hole! At that point you're pretty much comitted.

 

[JStieger]

AggieJustin: I just received my clearance light set for my '03. The instructions said 7/8" hole for the light wiring and 1/4" hole for the insert. I searched on this site and a few people said to drill a bit smaller than 1/4" so that the insert is more of a tight fit and doesn't spin. Myself, I'm probably going to use well nuts instead - they are a rubber nut with a brass machine screw nut inside of it - as one tightens it it compresses and mushrooms to "lock" into the roof and give a good seal. The smallest diameter well nut I found is 5/16" to take a #8 machine screw (the Mopar kit uses #10 screws I think) so I'll drill 5/16, primer, and then use a stainless screw. I'm just waiting for it to warm up a bit here (it's 0 with no garage!) though before I install them. Hope this helps.

 

[mgoncalves]

Do not use the template for the newer lights. Assuming you're talking about the 01-02 style lights, the template in that kit is for the 03 body style. It is very close, but it positions the two outside lights back just enough to make drilling the big hole difficult.



Matt

 

[MDale]

I have an '01 truck, but the template is for '03-up, so should i pull the head liner down and just drill in the marked spots? Also the wiring in the instructions looks to be for the '03 trucks as well, any tips on the wires? Thanks, Matt