Cab Lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

98Murray · 03-20-2014, 02:20 AM

Hi, I have a question about cab roof lights for these trucks. How exactly do they mount to the roof? Also I would like some up close photos and some wiring help if anyone has some, I am wanting to put a set of original style cab lights on my 1985 GMC 2500. Thanks

98Murray · 03-20-2014, 03:40 AM

After about an hours worth searching I found the answer I was looking for thanks to this great post by BLE 'BURBAN http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&postcount=12

motornut · 03-20-2014, 07:33 AM

a member sent me these,might help

98Murray · 03-20-2014, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motornut

a member sent me these,might help

Thats awesome!! Thank you so much!

mrolds88 · 03-20-2014, 08:47 AM

One thing I did on my CC was to replace those pesky u clips with rivnuts. Also used some stainless allen bolts to hold them down.

98Murray · 03-20-2014, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrolds88

One thing I did on my CC was to replace those pesky u clips with rivnuts. Also used some stainless allen bolts to hold them down.

Cool, I think I will do that to mine too. I hate those U clips lol

motornut · 03-20-2014, 09:37 AM

member
Tx Firefighter has a cool vid clip how to get the wire up to the roof
used compressed air to blow a string up first

98Murray · 03-20-2014, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motornut

member
Tx Firefighter has a cool vid clip how to get the wire up to the roof
used compressed air to blow a string up first

I saw the thread for that this morning but the video wouldnt play because it said the account had been de-activated?

Tx Firefighter · 03-20-2014, 12:46 PM

Feb 20 2011 VID00001 - YouTube

Tx Firefighter · 03-20-2014, 12:49 PM

I like to use Rivnuts myself.

And stainless steel screws.

mrolds88 · 03-20-2014, 02:36 PM

Hey Kevin, do you have any info on that installer?? Looks neat!!

Tx Firefighter · 03-20-2014, 02:44 PM

I got the rivnuts and the tool both from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. The tool was inexpensive. Not sufficient for a full time airplane shop but good enough for old truck guys. Rivnuts are a great "tool" to have in your toolbox. They're very handy if you want to make a ground connection to sheetmetal or install things like these cab lights.

98Murray · 03-20-2014, 04:31 PM

Thanks TX Firefighter!!

liftlawssuck · 03-20-2014, 07:11 PM

As a long time aircraft mechanic. I can say that rivnuts are good and bad for some applications. I would get the ones that have a little dimple under the flange. It helps them from spinning when tightening or being loosened. You must drill a hole then take a small file and file a slot to except the dimple. You can also slide an internal lock washer under the head or even on the back side and squeeze against it sandwiching it between the rivnut and sheet metal. This will help it from spinning when taking it off in the future. You also have to be careful squeezing it. Being aluminum the threads can be pulled out easily. At least the ones from Spruce can. You can get steel ones but are harder to work with. Just some useless info for anyone who cares.

mrolds88 · 03-21-2014, 02:19 AM

Thanks, Kevin. $20 ain't bad at all!!

BLE 'BURBAN · 03-21-2014, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98Murray

After about an hours worth searching I found the answer I was looking for thanks to this great post by BLE 'BURBAN http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&postcount=12

And if you noticed I rewired my 2 outer lights to flash with the side marker lights which flash alternately with the front turn signals.

johnnyclack · 03-21-2014, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liftlawssuck

As a long time aircraft mechanic. I can say that rivnuts are good and bad for some applications. I would get the ones that have a little dimple under the flange. It helps them from spinning when tightening or being loosened. You must drill a hole then take a small file and file a slot to except the dimple. You can also slide an internal lock washer under the head or even on the back side and squeeze against it sandwiching it between the rivnut and sheet metal. This will help it from spinning when taking it off in the future. You also have to be careful squeezing it. Being aluminum the threads can be pulled out easily. At least the ones from Spruce can. You can get steel ones but are harder to work with. Just some useless info for anyone who cares.

Great info: I used (for years) them in the transit industry, I can use this tip....

98Murray · 03-21-2014, 05:20 PM

Thanks for the help everyone! I took the cab lights off our rotted out 1979 C60 down in the pasture and mocked them up on the truck. They look good. I belive they are the same as what they put on the pickup trucks. These are all cracked and busted up so they will be replaced with new ones. http://www.truckspring.com/heavy-dut.../VSM1313A.aspx

Only thing left for the looks of this truck is a simple black push bumper like the one pictured below and a 5th wheel tailgate.

03-20-2014, 02:20 AM	#1
98Murray Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ennis, Texas Posts: 174	Cab Lights Hi, I have a question about cab roof lights for these trucks. How exactly do they mount to the roof? Also I would like some up close photos and some wiring help if anyone has some, I am wanting to put a set of original style cab lights on my 1985 GMC 2500. Thanks

03-20-2014, 03:40 AM	#2
98Murray Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ennis, Texas Posts: 174	Re: Cab Lights After about an hours worth searching I found the answer I was looking for thanks to this great post by BLE 'BURBAN http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...3&postcount=12

03-20-2014, 07:33 AM	#3
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Cab Lights a member sent me these,might help Attached Images __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

03-20-2014, 08:47 AM	#5
mrolds88 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: WV Posts: 946	Re: Cab Lights One thing I did on my CC was to replace those pesky u clips with rivnuts. Also used some stainless allen bolts to hold them down. __________________ 72 GMC C2500 402/Th400 first truck (still have) 77 GMC C3500 CC dually Sold 70 C50 dump truck "Rusty" 87 K10 Suburban Sold 93 K2500 xcab 6.5TD 96 GMC K2500 Suburban 6.5 TD

03-20-2014, 09:37 AM	#7
motornut 78K & 79C Jimmys Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Ottawa Ont CANADA Posts: 7,901	Re: Cab Lights member Tx Firefighter has a cool vid clip how to get the wire up to the roof used compressed air to blow a string up first __________________ John 1978 GMCJimmy4X4-350/203 1979 GMCJimmy4X2-305/350

03-20-2014, 12:49 PM	#10
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Cab Lights I like to use Rivnuts myself. And stainless steel screws. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

03-20-2014, 02:36 PM	#11
mrolds88 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: WV Posts: 946	Re: Cab Lights Hey Kevin, do you have any info on that installer?? Looks neat!! __________________ 72 GMC C2500 402/Th400 first truck (still have) 77 GMC C3500 CC dually Sold 70 C50 dump truck "Rusty" 87 K10 Suburban Sold 93 K2500 xcab 6.5TD 96 GMC K2500 Suburban 6.5 TD

03-20-2014, 02:44 PM	#12
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Cab Lights I got the rivnuts and the tool both from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. The tool was inexpensive. Not sufficient for a full time airplane shop but good enough for old truck guys. Rivnuts are a great "tool" to have in your toolbox. They're very handy if you want to make a ground connection to sheetmetal or install things like these cab lights. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin Last edited by Tx Firefighter; 03-20-2014 at 06:56 PM.

03-20-2014, 04:31 PM	#13
98Murray Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ennis, Texas Posts: 174	Re: Cab Lights Thanks TX Firefighter!!

03-20-2014, 07:11 PM	#14
liftlawssuck Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: MA Posts: 353	Re: Cab Lights As a long time aircraft mechanic. I can say that rivnuts are good and bad for some applications. I would get the ones that have a little dimple under the flange. It helps them from spinning when tightening or being loosened. You must drill a hole then take a small file and file a slot to except the dimple. You can also slide an internal lock washer under the head or even on the back side and squeeze against it sandwiching it between the rivnut and sheet metal. This will help it from spinning when taking it off in the future. You also have to be careful squeezing it. Being aluminum the threads can be pulled out easily. At least the ones from Spruce can. You can get steel ones but are harder to work with. Just some useless info for anyone who cares.

03-21-2014, 02:19 AM	#15
mrolds88 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: WV Posts: 946	Re: Cab Lights Thanks, Kevin. $20 ain't bad at all!! __________________ 72 GMC C2500 402/Th400 first truck (still have) 77 GMC C3500 CC dually Sold 70 C50 dump truck "Rusty" 87 K10 Suburban Sold 93 K2500 xcab 6.5TD 96 GMC K2500 Suburban 6.5 TD

03-21-2014, 05:20 PM	#18
98Murray Registered User Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Ennis, Texas Posts: 174	Re: Cab Lights Thanks for the help everyone! I took the cab lights off our rotted out 1979 C60 down in the pasture and mocked them up on the truck. They look good. I belive they are the same as what they put on the pickup trucks. These are all cracked and busted up so they will be replaced with new ones. http://www.truckspring.com/heavy-dut.../VSM1313A.aspx Only thing left for the looks of this truck is a simple black push bumper like the one pictured below and a 5th wheel tailgate. Attached Images

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