Adding a Cargo Light - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

FlounderGDI · 10-02-2010, 12:22 PM

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 · 10-02-2010, 02:27 PM

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 · 10-02-2010, 02:47 PM

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 · 10-02-2010, 03:15 PM

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 · 10-02-2010, 03:25 PM

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 · 10-02-2010, 03:30 PM

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.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 10-02-2010, 10:23 PM

Here's the one I have been looking for most of the day!! lol http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=cargo+light

10-02-2010, 12:22 PM	#1
FlounderGDI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 339	Adding a Cargo Light 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! __________________ 1969 CST/10 "GreenAndWhite" 1974 Nova (SOLD... End of an Era) 2000 Impala (RIP) 2008 Malibu Brand Loyal... I've never owned a Vehicle not made by Chevrolet.

10-02-2010, 02:27 PM	#2
69sixpackbee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Sabinal, Texas Posts: 1,706	Re: Adding a Cargo Light 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!

10-02-2010, 02:47 PM	#3
FlounderGDI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 339	Re: Adding a Cargo Light 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. __________________ 1969 CST/10 "GreenAndWhite" 1974 Nova (SOLD... End of an Era) 2000 Impala (RIP) 2008 Malibu Brand Loyal... I've never owned a Vehicle not made by Chevrolet.

10-02-2010, 03:15 PM	#4
ChevyLvr4Life Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Martinsville, VA Posts: 150	Re: Adding a Cargo Light 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... Attached Images __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 LWB 307 3OTT 3.73 gear

10-02-2010, 03:25 PM	#5
FlounderGDI Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lafayette, Indiana Posts: 339	Re: Adding a Cargo Light 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? __________________ 1969 CST/10 "GreenAndWhite" 1974 Nova (SOLD... End of an Era) 2000 Impala (RIP) 2008 Malibu Brand Loyal... I've never owned a Vehicle not made by Chevrolet.

10-02-2010, 03:30 PM	#6
ChevyLvr4Life Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Martinsville, VA Posts: 150	Re: Adding a Cargo Light 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. __________________ 1970 Chevy C10 LWB 307 3OTT 3.73 gear

10-02-2010, 10:23 PM	#7
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Re: Adding a Cargo Light Here's the one I have been looking for most of the day!! lol http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=cargo+light __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA



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