Cargo Light Switch Install Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Lancialonnie · 07-31-2015, 01:14 AM

Hello Everyone,

I am a new board member having decided to restore my father-in-laws 72 long bed fleet side truck. He bought it new and when he passed away my wife and her siblings decided that since I am a car guy, they wanted the truck to go to me. So it is at the paint shop now and I will have the paint shop cut the metal for the cargo light and the switch before it gets painted. I found the thread detailing laying out the cutout for the cargo light itself but I can't find any details on the switch. Is it just a rectangular cutout with the face plate holding it in place? If anyone has a pic of the hole for the switch or details on how it installs I would greatly appreciate it!

I look forward to getting it back so I can get the windows and new rubber installed so it is waterproofed before the end of summer. Then I can take the winter to get it ready for cruising next summer! Thank you!

70LonghornCST · 07-31-2015, 01:46 AM

Hello and welcome to the site! I went out to a Pick N Pull and found a truck with a cargo light, and traced a template on paper. I believe I have a pic of the install instructions in my NOS cargo light set. I'll see if I can locate it for you. See LINK. Also, I can trace mine out for you and mail it to you if nobody has the actual dimensions or schematics for you.
Richard

Sklptrljay · 07-31-2015, 02:43 AM

Hey fellow Vacaville neighbor!

I put in a cargo light after I painted (not the best idea) so I cheated and just installed a toggle switch under the dash.

The real switch is just a little rectangular piece like you said. I think I might have one in my shed. Let me know if you want it.

Andy4639 · 07-31-2015, 04:59 PM

I took my switch face plate and traced it inside the cab and center punched the screw holes under the light housing. Cut and drilled.

Lancialonnie · 08-01-2015, 12:28 AM

Your approach to trace it makes sense, I didn't think about it that the switch could be placed up against the inside of the body through the dome light opening. That way the hole is smaller than the switch and the face plate would snug it up tight. Maybe? Thanks for making me think about this a little more.

Lancialonnie · 08-01-2015, 12:35 AM

Hello Sklptrljay, my Vacaville neighbor!
Thanks for the offer of the switch, much appreciated. I bought the complete cargo light setup with the wiring harness, switch and all so I am good to go. I just want to make sure I get the opening cut correctly before it's painted as I don't want to have to go cutting into newly painted metal. It would make me as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!

I hope to be driving my freshly painted 72 around town soon!

SS Tim · 08-01-2015, 01:27 AM

By the numbers.

Lancialonnie · 08-01-2015, 02:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS Tim

By the numbers.

Posted via Mobile Device

Lancialonnie · 08-01-2015, 02:31 AM

Alright this is great!Thank you very much, I greatly appreciate this!

Lonnie
Posted via Mobile Device

Sklptrljay · 08-01-2015, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancialonnie

Hello Sklptrljay, my Vacaville neighbor!
Thanks for the offer of the switch, much appreciated. I bought the complete cargo light setup with the wiring harness, switch and all so I am good to go. I just want to make sure I get the opening cut correctly before it's painted as I don't want to have to go cutting into newly painted metal. It would make me as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!

I hope to be driving my freshly painted 72 around town soon!

Gotcha, BTW it is mandatory that you post pictures of your truck here! The natives get restless without them.

Lancialonnie · 08-02-2015, 12:20 AM

Let's see if I can get these to post.

It's pretty straight and I almost stuck with the ochre yellow, but I think I'm going to change the color....

I'm getting excited about seeing it all painted up!

Sklptrljay · 08-02-2015, 03:33 AM

That looks like it's in pretty good shape. Are you sure you want to paint it? Original paint trucks are harder and harder to find. Ochre is very retro cool.

slowboy · 03-31-2021, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lancialonnie

Let's see if I can get these to post.

It's pretty straight and I almost stuck with the ochre yellow, but I think I'm going to change the color....

I'm getting excited about seeing it all painted up!

Nice looking truck!!

07-31-2015, 01:14 AM	#1
Lancialonnie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Vacaville CA Posts: 153	Cargo Light Switch Install Question Hello Everyone, I am a new board member having decided to restore my father-in-laws 72 long bed fleet side truck. He bought it new and when he passed away my wife and her siblings decided that since I am a car guy, they wanted the truck to go to me. So it is at the paint shop now and I will have the paint shop cut the metal for the cargo light and the switch before it gets painted. I found the thread detailing laying out the cutout for the cargo light itself but I can't find any details on the switch. Is it just a rectangular cutout with the face plate holding it in place? If anyone has a pic of the hole for the switch or details on how it installs I would greatly appreciate it! I look forward to getting it back so I can get the windows and new rubber installed so it is waterproofed before the end of summer. Then I can take the winter to get it ready for cruising next summer! Thank you!

07-31-2015, 01:46 AM	#2
70LonghornCST Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 5,775	Re: Cargo Light Switch Install Question Hello and welcome to the site! I went out to a Pick N Pull and found a truck with a cargo light, and traced a template on paper. I believe I have a pic of the install instructions in my NOS cargo light set. I'll see if I can locate it for you. See LINK. Also, I can trace mine out for you and mail it to you if nobody has the actual dimensions or schematics for you. Richard __________________ 2018 Chevy Crew Cab 2006 Impala SS 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury 1970 Chevy Longhorn Bucket Seats Shoulder Belts Front Tow Hooks Factory Air Factory Speedwarning, Tach & Vaccum Factory Tilt CST Package AM/FM Radio Bumper Guards Richard 70 Longhorn CST Build Adding an AM/FM Decal

07-31-2015, 02:43 AM	#3
Sklptrljay Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma Posts: 874	Re: Cargo Light Switch Install Question Hey fellow Vacaville neighbor! I put in a cargo light after I painted (not the best idea) so I cheated and just installed a toggle switch under the dash. The real switch is just a little rectangular piece like you said. I think I might have one in my shed. Let me know if you want it. __________________ 1971 C/10 SWB, 15x8 Rallys, 4.5" X 7" static drop, C-notched, 350/350, 3.73 Posi. .........A 383 and Gear Vendors are on my bucket list. 1972 GMC 4X4 K1500 Survivor - Sold No matter what problems life throws at you, your time on Earth can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.....if you just lower your expectations. -Phil Dunphy

07-31-2015, 04:59 PM	#4
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Cargo Light Switch Install Question I took my switch face plate and traced it inside the cab and center punched the screw holes under the light housing. Cut and drilled. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

08-01-2015, 12:28 AM	#5
Lancialonnie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Vacaville CA Posts: 153	Re: Cargo Light Switch Install Question Your approach to trace it makes sense, I didn't think about it that the switch could be placed up against the inside of the body through the dome light opening. That way the hole is smaller than the switch and the face plate would snug it up tight. Maybe? Thanks for making me think about this a little more.

08-01-2015, 12:35 AM	#6
Lancialonnie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Vacaville CA Posts: 153	Re: Cargo Light Switch Install Question Hello Sklptrljay, my Vacaville neighbor! Thanks for the offer of the switch, much appreciated. I bought the complete cargo light setup with the wiring harness, switch and all so I am good to go. I just want to make sure I get the opening cut correctly before it's painted as I don't want to have to go cutting into newly painted metal. It would make me as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs! I hope to be driving my freshly painted 72 around town soon!

08-01-2015, 01:27 AM	#7
SS Tim Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Edwards, CA Posts: 7,503	Re: Cargo Light Switch Install Question By the numbers. Attached Images __________________ Thanks, Tim * VIN/Model Decoders * Power Team Charts (engine/transmission/gear ratio) * Post Your Pickup SPID Blazer SPID Suburban/Panel SPID * RTFM ... Read The Factory Manuals... download 'em here Highlanders Do you have a 1972 Plaid Pickup? Plaid Blazer ** Plaid Suburban

08-01-2015, 02:31 AM	#9
Lancialonnie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Vacaville CA Posts: 153	Re: Cargo Light Switch Install Question Alright this is great!Thank you very much, I greatly appreciate this! Lonnie Posted via Mobile Device

08-02-2015, 12:20 AM	#11
Lancialonnie Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Vacaville CA Posts: 153	Re: Cargo Light Switch Install Question Let's see if I can get these to post. It's pretty straight and I almost stuck with the ochre yellow, but I think I'm going to change the color.... I'm getting excited about seeing it all painted up! Attached Images

08-02-2015, 03:33 AM	#12
Sklptrljay Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma Posts: 874	Re: Cargo Light Switch Install Question That looks like it's in pretty good shape. Are you sure you want to paint it? Original paint trucks are harder and harder to find. Ochre is very retro cool. __________________ 1971 C/10 SWB, 15x8 Rallys, 4.5" X 7" static drop, C-notched, 350/350, 3.73 Posi. .........A 383 and Gear Vendors are on my bucket list. 1972 GMC 4X4 K1500 Survivor - Sold No matter what problems life throws at you, your time on Earth can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.....if you just lower your expectations. -Phil Dunphy



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