2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Installing Cab Clearance Lights

[WMonroe]

I just ordered a set of cab clearance lights from mopar-4-less. They should be in next week and I was looking for any suggestions from anyone who has done this already. Is it easiest to drop the headliner? Are you tieing into the parking light or putting them on a separate switch?

Thanks

Will

 

[bighammer]

Wiring ties into parking lamps. Dropping headliner makes layout more obvious and wiring easier. The little plastic anchors they provide are a PIA. If it were me, I'd drill smaller and use sheet metal screws directly into the roof.

 

[cumminspwr01]

Make sure you line everything up just right before you start to drill. Dont want to screw up I dont know if there is an easy way to fix that I was skeered when I first started drilling into my roof

 

[WMonroe]

Thanks for the replies. They should be in next week so hopefully next weekend I can get them installed.

Will

 

[rrausch]

I put mine in 2 years ago, ordered them from Moper4Less also! Great prices.

Anyway, I hooked mine up to a relay so that when the parking lights come on the relay is switched on also, thus taking the load off of the light switch. But I ALSO wired a small on/off switch into the ground wire of the relay, mounted it between the steering wheel and dash, so that I can flash the running lights on-off while I am running at night if I want to.



Also, for my money, the sheet metal in the roof seemed too light to hold sheet metal screws. I used the factory supplied plastic anchors and they still work great--just don't over tighten them--they seem strong enough to me. I also used a 3-M rubber-based windshield installation primer to paint the bare metal from drilling through the roof. And yes, I pulled the headliner down, but I also needed to reglue parts of it back up which had started to separate, so I needed to take it down anyway.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Yea - what was said:



Also - get yourself a NEW drill bit so it cuts quick and doesn't wander.



Definitely use some sort of paint to protect your exposed bare metal (where your drilled).



Be patient and it will work fine. The second hole to drill is much easier (on the stomach) that the first.



Dan

 

[WMonroe]

What size drill bit do I need?

Will

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Sorry, I don't remember - that was 1 1/2 years ago. But the instructions did say what to use.



Dan

 

[WMonroe]

I'll wait and see. I have new bits up to 1/2" so if it's bigger than that I'll be off to get a new bit.

Will

 

[cumminspwr01]

I think you'd be better off to use a hole saw. It seems like when drilling through sheet metal with a regular drill bit it doesnt make a good round hole. It was a long time ago for me too but I think I used a 7/8" hole saw but Im not 100% sure.

 

[WMonroe]

Did you have to run the hole saw in reverse to get it to go throught to metal smoothly?

Will