How to: Cargo light in a non cargo cab by LFD Inc.

[Rokcrln]

Installing a Cargo Light into Non-Cargo Light Cab,
By Lewis Fabrication Design Inc.

Thought as long as I am doing it I might as well share with everyone else the layout and how to.

Well I started off over in my research center of my shop for the factory correct layout and placement. Then I moved over to the work are about 2 miles (30') away to fine the next victom. This was done with the rear window removed. First thing you will need to do if your truck is already painted and you do not plan on repainting any time soon is get some good masking tape and cover any areas that you see me writing on. I would have done this but hey it isn't my truck .

First off you need to find center of the cab. I did this by just measuring from inside edge of the window at the bottom and divide it in half. Then to double check your self measure from both sides to your center mark and adjust it if needed. Then to transfer this mark up top use a framming square along the window bottom edge and make a mark up on the roof. Now double check this by flipping your framming square around and check the mark.

The first measurment came from the bottom of the rear window chanel up to th etop of the new light cut out. That # is 17 1/8" and then down from their 1 13/32" for the bottom edge of the main cut out. Now what I like to do is take both these measurments and and go about 6" each way from your center mark and re mark your heights. Then take a straite edge and conect your marks. What this does is helps keep everything level. If you were to only go 2" each way from center, mark your edges and say you were 1/8" off from level you would see that when done. But if you go 6" each way and are off that same 1/8" on your lines now you will only be 1/32" off at your 2" line were you will be making your cut. I hope that makes sence.

Now from your top line measure down 3/8" and make yet another mark, this will be fore the mounting holes.

Now from your original center line mark on the roof you will want to measure on the top and bottom line 2" each way and conect these marks verticaly. Next on the second line down from the top (3/8" line) you will want to go 2 11/16" each way or 5 3/8" over all for your mounting holes. These holes will be 3/8".

Then you will mark for drilling the corner holes of the main cut out. These holes are 1/4" so you will want to measure 1/8" in from your corners both ways and make a mark. Repeat this for the other 3 corners. Now center punch the marks you will be drilling BUT DO NOT HIT IT HARD or you could dent in the cab. Once thiat is done drill out your two mounting holes to 3/8" and your 4 corners to 1/4".

With that done all that is left is the cut for the main body of the light. I used a 4" .040 cut off wheel in a 4" grinder but you may want to use an air saw (small air powered salz-all) with a real fine Bi-metal blade. Once you have cut it open and removed the piece take a hand file and smoth out the edges to your liking and you are almost done.

Now if you are getting ready to paint your cab than you are done for now. If your cab is already painted or you will not be re-painting for awhile you will want to paint the bare metal edges you just made. Just take a good quality paint and a pint brush or Q-tip and cote the bare metal and let it dry.

Keep in mind the rubber gasket for the light is alot larger than the holes you just made and with the light installed but not fully tight you can move it around a good amount. So if your hole is not perfect you are still ok, just move the light around untill it looks good and tighten it up.

I do not have a finished pic for you because this light kit did not come with mounting screws


Also check the site because their are a fe guys that have converted their Cargo light into a 3rd brake light for very cheap or you could ppend the $ and buy an LED set up or last but not least just run what you brung and keep it a standard cargo light.

I hope people find this helpfull!

Kevin
Lewis Fabrication Design Inc.

[Rokcrln]

A few more.

[Rokcrln]

Thats all their is to it. With pics and all it tok about 1hr.

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Longhorn Man]

well done. I was gonna do a write up on this, but I haven't gotten to it yet. I installed new shocks and courticy lights under the dash and did some other odds and ends this past weekend.

[Longhorn Man]

You mentioned mounting screws... don't forget you need the special rubber encapsulated nuts to prevent from grounding the light body. If you don't take steps to prevent the ground, your cargo light will stay on at 1/2 power or so.

Also Kevin, have you done the switch under the dome light for the cargo light yet?

[TugOwar]

Note to self: add this thread to favorites now so when you need it you're not hunting all over hell and creation to find it you dumba$$!
OK added....


Nice work kevin!

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

You mentioned mounting screws... don't forget you need the special rubber encapsulated nuts to prevent from grounding the light body. If you don't take steps to prevent the ground, your cargo light will stay on at 1/2 power or so.

Also Kevin, have you done the switch under the dome light for the cargo light yet?

Thanks for the info! I have never installed or removed one before so I have no idea what it needs. My cab ( the blue one in the corner is a factory Cargo so I just coppied that one but I bought the cab bare so no luck their. As far as the switch no that did not get done. This one will be a third brk light. But I do have a templete that I will post to the thread at a later date.

Kevin
Kevin LFD Inc.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Very nice how to write up maybe theis should be in the f.a.q. section????

[Rokcrln]

Thanks guys, Here is another one you may want to check out I posted in the suspention section awhile back on C-notching.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...85#post1666385

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Sgt.Booya]

Thanks Kevin. Another one for my favorites! Maybe they could do a, "best of" Lewis Fabrication Design in the FAQ...Kind of like a greatest hits CD.

Thanks for taking the extra time to explain stuff like this to boneheads like me. Maybe you could do a book like, "Pickup truck mods for Dummies" Rick

[chevy_fatman]

Great info and how to man! saving it for a reference in the future.

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

Sweet write up Thanks!!! I've been wanting to do this for some time

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

Hey Guys, How about somebody putting this one in the FAQS Section???

[Critterman71]

This is a long shot but does any one know were a guy can get the mounting hardware for the cargo light housing and the special nuts that are rubber coated? Need help thanks

[Lemield]

Originally Posted by Critterman71

This is a long shot but does any one know were a guy can get the mounting hardware for the cargo light housing and the special nuts that are rubber coated? Need help thanks

LMC truck has what you need. I am sure some of the board vendors have them too.

[Critterman71]

Thank you!

[custom10nut]

Great write up. I did this to mine almost 20 years ago. I converted mine to a third brake light. Have had quite a few comments on it over the years

[Lancialonnie]

I agree, thanks to this great write up I was able to install my cargo light which also has an LED brake light in it. I've tackled a lot of things on my truck thanks to the write ups that folks post on here.

[Grumpy old man]

Mounting hardware . the same as the mounts for a core support voltage regulator

http://www.manestruckparts.com/store...Category_ID=14

http://www.manestruckparts.com/store...&Category_ID=8

http://www.manestruckparts.com/store...Category_ID=27

[72farmer]

So when I used jacknuts to mount my cargo light I messed up and semi grounded the light.Did not know that .I was proud of myself for being creative.Thanks if it is dim I will know why.

[Wheelie]

Just wanted to give a heads up that if you are adding this light to a '67 cab the distance measured off the bottom of the channel to the top edge of the cut out is not the 17 1/8" as mentioned. The measurement for a '67 cab would be around 15 1/2" and that places it roughly on center between the top edge of the cab roof and the top edge of the rear window weatherstrip. You can move the light a little higher or lower to your liking but we chose 15 1/2". If I was to use the 17 1/8" measurement on my cab it would have put the light way too high near the top of the cab roof.

[kehstr]

Crap now you got me thinking...

[MoFormula]

Originally Posted by custom10nut

Great write up. I did this to mine almost 20 years ago. I converted mine to a third brake light. Have had quite a few comments on it over the years

I did the same to mine. I like the third brake light idea on a lowered truck. It is kind of a cool restomod upgrade.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by MoFormula

I did the same to mine. I like the third brake light idea on a lowered truck. It is kind of a cool restomod upgrade.

One of the guys on the board sell and LED conversion:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ed+cargo+light

[kehstr]

how did you do the wiring?