Adding a Cargo Light

[FlounderGDI]

I've done some searches on here and haven't really come up with any info. Has any one added a Cargo light to a non-cargo light truck?

I recently purchased a light, assembly, wiring, and the chunk of cab to use as a template from a Board Member and I'm wondering how difficult it would be to add one to my 69 CST. I have access to just about any kind of cutting tool except plasma. I was thinking about using a Dremel too to cut out the right sized holes, but I'm curious about how the wiring would run up to the fuse panel.

Any info on this subject would be helpful... Thanks!

[69sixpackbee]

Hey, flounder,
It's easy. I put one on mine. Just put the gasket on the top of the cab to match the contour and mark the incide with a Sharpie. You can cut the hole with an abrasive wheel no prob. Less distortion. I used a nibbler myself.
Transfer the two mounting holes and drill them for a nutsert. I used a 10-32 stainless nutsert. Wire it up to your existing dome light (don't forget the "cargo lamp switch") in parallel and your done!
Easy.

BTW, been to Lafayette. Have family there. Love the Triple XXX Diner

Bud!

[FlounderGDI]

Hey Bud,

Thanks for the info. I thought it wouldn't be too complicated but didn't know if there was anything tricky about it. I don't have nibblers but I do have a Dremel with every wheel in the book. Do you think it would create enough heat to cause distortion. Do you have any pics of yours? or how you spliced your light into the existing harness?

It's pretty cool you've been to Lafayette. Triple X Diner "On the Hill but on the Level" That place has the best Biscuits and Gravy I've ever had.

[ChevyLvr4Life]

I just did this last weekend myself, and used a dremel tool with no problem. I first drilled several 1/2" holes inside the hole and then took dremel with cutoff wheel and cut the rest. The harness that came with mine had a plug on the end where it hooks to the fuse box. There is a plug that comes out of the fuse box, that the harness for the dome light connects to it. I just unplugged the 2, plugged in the cargo light harness, then plugged in dome light harness to the jumper plug on the cargo light harness. I guess if yours doesn't have the plugs, you could just splice the wires together. Here's some pics...

[FlounderGDI]

ChevyLvr4Life,

Thanks for the Info and the Pics. That's how I was planning on doing mine. Drilling the holes spaced out every so often should cut down on the distortion from the cut off wheels. The cargo light I bought has all the plugs. Did you have to run the cargo light harness up the back of the cab to the dome light location?

[ChevyLvr4Life]

Yeah, I used a stiff wire sorta like the old coat hangers to fish it down the back of the cab. Glad to here yours has the plugs, it makes it alot easier to hook up.