To Cab Lights or Not To Cab Lights....

[RHARVEY]

OK...



The truck is suppose to go for a new paint job next week. I have had the Dodge cab light kit for nearly 4 years and so far they have not made it on the truck yet. When I scheduled the paint job I ask the painter... and he said that it would be better to have them on the truck before it was painted...

What is the thoughts about cab lights???? I love lights but dont wont to deal with a leak... Tell me!!!!



Rick

 

[ohnoitsyu]

It's kind of one of those opinion things: you either like cab lights or you don't - I don't think there are many people who are neutral. I don't like them. There's nothing wrong with them (nor is there anything wrong with those big rigs with a million lights on them [often referred to as chicken haulers]).



If you're going to install them, I agree with the paint guy: do them before the paint. Or at least wire and mount them, then maybe remove them so they don't need to be masked.

 

[RHARVEY]

Thats the crazy part... the more lights the better I like it. . I love running across country at night just to see the truck with all the lights.



Rick

 

[Mhannink]

well i would say do it. but thats cause i like lights but i think ohnoistyu it is opnion.

 

[ohnoitsyu]

Thats the crazy part... the more lights the better I like it. . I love running across country at night just to see the truck with all the lights.



Rick

Then what are you waiting for?! Go for it! And you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner!

 

[nick05]

do the cab lights and before you put the base of the light down just put some slicone where the holes are. shouldn't be a problem. so far on my lights on the running boards no problem.

 

[Joe Mc]

If you install them do as ohnoitsyu mentioned put them on then take them off for the paint job.

 

[JJoiner]

your best bet is to go ahead and drill the holes now then worry about mounting them later. This way you wont have bare metal on the edges, and also incase the shavings scratch the surrounding paint while drilling.

 

[PHellums]

Me and my brother installed mine in an afternoon and now I don't know why I waited so long. Very easy to do and adds alot to the truck. IMHO

 

[cojhl2]

How do you guys run the wires? Do you take all the headliner down? Do you drill into the inner liner or do you somehow snake the wires out to the A Pillar?



I want to put them on my 90 but have been putting it off cause of the above questions.



Thanks for any help you can provide!!

 

[MCrossley]

This si my second Diesel and I have had both custom ordered with the lights and love them, that big rig look... I have yet to have a leak my 01 had every bulb replaced in 158k no leaks...

 

[BDR]

I to would like to know how to drill and run the wires. I'm sure the headliner has to come down.

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

its all in personal prefrence but i say do the cab lights!! i purchased a cab light kit from jc whittney (dodge oem kit) and i love them... . just make sure to use lots of RTV silicon on both sides when u install them

 

[CTD12V]

There are a number of threads on here talking about installation of cab lights. You should be able to find some of them with a search. I installed mine in May. A few notes on installation (I used the new aftermarket kit for the 99-02 OE style lights, I think it was the "hi-five" brand)--



1) drop the front part of the headliner (you'll have to remove the A-pillar trim, overhead console, etc. )



2) part of the roof is double-walled; the inner wall has factory holes pre-cut for the lights. Drill directly up through the center of these holes if you want your lights in the factory spacing pattern and you don't have the template kit.



3) I followed the recommendation of several others who have posted on this subject and used rubber well nuts and bolts for securing the lenses, along with a dab of clear silicone between the head of the bolt and the hole in the lense. I also put a continuous bead of silicone between the gasket and the lense and the gasket and the roof. This may be overkill, but at least this way leaks should be nonexistant.



4) if you like big-rig style, add a switch inline to turn the clearance lights on and off without affecting the headlights. That way you can flash a greeting to other CTDs at night, lol :-laf or at least keep a lower profile if desired.



Good luck with the install, you'll like them when they're done.



CTD12V

 

[CRuth]

Ugly as sin imho, and thats from a guy who loves lights, just the kind that shine down the road though

 

[DThibault]

well, I live in the northeast and I purchased an otherwise rust free truck and the roof was rotted out because someone liked cab lights. I would not put them on. I like the look on some trucks but the first gen stock lights are oversize and look out of place too.

 

[todt061458]

I like lights. But I must agree with DTHibault the firsr gen lights are out of place.

Try a after market low profile light with a led lighting kit for low amp draw and long life. Just my $0. 02

 

[MNester]

[i put a set of cab lights on just about everyones truck arround here and the hardest part is gettin the head liner out and there is 5 holes in the roof i just found the center of the holes and and started drillin put my lights down cenerd them up and put them in place very easy to do and more lights the better

2002 reg. cab 5 spd

 

[EricBu12]

I was thinking of getting the OEM Low profile lights from Dodge, not the triangle old type. How much is the new lights from Mopar?

 

[CMullen]

i like them stock

imho if you get them stock, fine.

otherwise i woiuld be afraid of a leak



Personally i love the look, and would order them again