installing a 71 GMC parking lens - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

match71gmc4x4 · 02-24-2003, 02:07 AM

To all the GMC owners,
I am trying to change both my parking lens in my 71 GMC. I am not sure how to change them out. Do I need a special tool to change these out? Any help would be appreciated.

barn9 · 02-24-2003, 02:47 AM

Screwdriver always works for me.

**GMCPaul** · 02-24-2003, 07:19 AM

Best method is take a cheap small C-clamp and grind the pad off the screw end and grind the end to a bevel, then very carefully insert rivet through lens from front and through housing place pad side of clamp on rivet head and tighten slowly, the bevel you have ground on end of threaded screw on clamp will split the blind rivet, if you have a blunt bevel you can continue to tighten until rivet is crushed flat on back BUT BE CAUTIOUS AS TO TIGHT AND YOU CRACK THE NEW LENS. If your bevel on screw was not blunt enough when point bottoms out the lens may still be lightly loose, if so you can blunt tip more after getting all rivets intially split then finish crushing them flat. You got it easy barn9 changing Chevy parklight lenses.
GMCPaul

match71gmc4x4 · 02-25-2003, 11:31 AM

GMC Paul,
Thanks for the information, I got my parking lens' put on yesterday and going to get them installed on my truck tomorrow. I should be getting my truck back from the paint shop tomorrow. I will try and get some photo's posted when I get my truck.

Project1970 · 02-25-2003, 12:23 PM

Am I missing something here? I can't think of a lens on my truck I don't get at with a Phillips screwdriver...

barn9 · 02-25-2003, 12:31 PM

Whoa! I didn't know GMC's were so complicated! Sorry I was such a smart-a**. Rivets? Sounds like a good spot for improvement. Glad I have a Chevy!

Slammed67 · 02-25-2003, 02:51 PM

I replaced my rivets with small stainless steel screws/nuts. The grill covers them, so they aren't visible anyway.

02-24-2003, 02:07 AM	#1
match71gmc4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Enid, OK Posts: 55	installing a 71 GMC parking lens To all the GMC owners, I am trying to change both my parking lens in my 71 GMC. I am not sure how to change them out. Do I need a special tool to change these out? Any help would be appreciated.

02-24-2003, 02:47 AM	#2
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	Screwdriver always works for me. __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

02-24-2003, 07:19 AM	#3
GMCPaul Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Rockville,In. USA Posts: 3,719	Best method is take a cheap small C-clamp and grind the pad off the screw end and grind the end to a bevel, then very carefully insert rivet through lens from front and through housing place pad side of clamp on rivet head and tighten slowly, the bevel you have ground on end of threaded screw on clamp will split the blind rivet, if you have a blunt bevel you can continue to tighten until rivet is crushed flat on back BUT BE CAUTIOUS AS TO TIGHT AND YOU CRACK THE NEW LENS. If your bevel on screw was not blunt enough when point bottoms out the lens may still be lightly loose, if so you can blunt tip more after getting all rivets intially split then finish crushing them flat. You got it easy barn9 changing Chevy parklight lenses. GMCPaul __________________ Secure Online Catalog for-GMCPauls Truck Parts Email- GMCPAULS@GMAIL.COM

02-25-2003, 12:23 PM	#5
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	Am I missing something here? I can't think of a lens on my truck I don't get at with a Phillips screwdriver... __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

02-25-2003, 12:31 PM	#6
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	Whoa! I didn't know GMC's were so complicated! Sorry I was such a smart-a**. Rivets? Sounds like a good spot for improvement. Glad I have a Chevy! __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

02-25-2003, 11:31 AM	#4
match71gmc4x4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Enid, OK Posts: 55	GMC Paul, Thanks for the information, I got my parking lens' put on yesterday and going to get them installed on my truck tomorrow. I should be getting my truck back from the paint shop tomorrow. I will try and get some photo's posted when I get my truck.

02-25-2003, 02:51 PM	#7
Slammed67 Progress = 0% Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 2,108	I replaced my rivets with small stainless steel screws/nuts. The grill covers them, so they aren't visible anyway. __________________ Jason - '67 GMC swb \| '57 Bel-Air 4dr hardtop \| '56 210 4dr Wagon \| 2000 GMC Sierra



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