Rechrome a spotlight or find NOS?

[davepl]

There's an NOS spotlight on eBay right now but he wants $600 for it, which is too steep for me. Have at it if you like!

I'm wondering if I should be still watching for a "like new" one in the $300 range or if I should buy one for $100 and send it out to be replated. I'm thinking the latter, but I've spent a lot on chrome already... it's not a cheap alternative either, but I doubt I'd be into it for $500!

Thoughts? Cheapest and shortest path to "Correct for 1970 and looks new" is all I care.

[jerry moss]

back in 1989 when i bought my 72 super 4x4 it had a GM spotlight on it. i didn't like it so off it came and into the trash can (dumb a$$, i know). several years later i changed my mind and decided to find another one to replace the one i trashed. luckily a board member was selling a real nice one and i bought it and it's still on my old truck. after looking at the build of your truck i'd say grab the NOS one- whats another 600 bucks
seriously though, i'm sure someone on here has a really nice one at a more reasonable price.

[tommys72]

I put that 6 hundred dollar one on your options posts too.. to steep for me

['68OrangeSunshine]

Check out Unity Manufacturing's website. I'm sure they have NOS cop spots for cheaper than that.
www.unityusa.com

[davepl]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Check out Unity Manufacturing's website. I'm sure they have NOS cop spots for cheaper than that.
www.unityusa.com

Thanks! Here's what they list for my '70, and it looks pretty much exactly like the old ones. They're made to order.

They offer 5" and 6". I believe I'd want the 5" for a truck like mine.

http://www.unityusa.com/250A-U-I-5-S...2V_p_1525.html

[hamjet]

I have a spotlight my father gave me, I just hate the idea of drilling through the post to mount it. does it bother you?

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by davepl

Thanks! Here's what they list for my '70, and it looks pretty much exactly like the old ones. They're made to order.

They offer 5" and 6". I believe I'd want the 5" for a truck like mine.

http://www.unityusa.com/250A-U-I-5-S...2V_p_1525.html

Sure, no problem.
You can also google within the 67-72 chevytrucks site for old posts about this subject: "Spot light pics, lets see em" and "Show your 67 72 chevy spot light trucks" are two threads with a rich vein of obsolete p/n's and sources for Cop Spots. Also Unity will sell you a "GM" plate for the S5 or S6 lamp housing, it's extra, of course. The drivers side A pillar bracket for '67-'72s is p/n 202. Passenger side is p/n 202R, I think.
I have an old S6 I got off an ambulance that was "blown-up" in a movie -- before the FX guys hauled it away to the crusher. Someday I'll mount it on the A pillar of my '71 Jimmy ''K/750'' -- after I mount the roll bars.
You can also upgrade the globe to Halogen or LED. It's spendy, but draws a lot less current and is much brighter than the tungsten element that's in vintage spots.

[El Dorado Jim]

Originally Posted by hamjet

I have a spotlight my father gave me, I just hate the idea of drilling through the post to mount it. does it bother you?

I agree, they are cool, just too afraid to drill permanent holes in my 72

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by El Dorado Jim

I agree, they are cool, just too afraid to drill permanent holes in my 72

You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs.

[70cst]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs.

And that's no yoke

[70cst]

If it doesn't need to be a GM Spotlight - I would buy a new generic spotlight.

[70cst]

eBay has a good selection of Spotlights ...

$30
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Unity-Spo...xVZ53p&vxp=mtr

$33
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Spot-ligh...5WUQgQ&vxp=mtr

NOS $150
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-CARS-POLI...FWNPQh&vxp=mtr

[davepl]

The link I posted is to the same brand and model as the originals, so I wouldn't go generic when you can still buy the original. No difference to me whethers its new or NOS when it's a functional part that looks like original.

I'm not scared of drilling a hole - heck, I welded up about 5 CB antenna, power, switch and light holes when I painted it - but I want to make sure I really want one on the truck. Be nice to see a close-up picture of one installed.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by davepl

The link I posted is to the same brand and model as the originals, so I wouldn't go generic when you can still buy the original. No difference to me whethers its new or NOS when it's a functional part that looks like original.

I'm not scared of drilling a hole - heck, I welded up about 5 CB antenna, power, switch and light holes when I painted it - but I want to make sure I really want one on the truck. Be nice to see a close-up picture of one installed.

You will still need the p/n 202 Bracket [67-72] including installation kit. It's $66.66 from Unity, separate from cost of spotlight. None of 70cst's ebay entries had the 202.

[CG]

If I remember correctly they even have the little GM tag for the top of the light too.

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by CG

If I remember correctly they even have the little GM tag for the top of the light too.

Yeah, but its extra.

[CG]

If you are going for the real thing whats a few more bucks haha!

There was someone on the board selling instructions and kits to install these. I purchased one and have it stashed (somewhere). Ill try a search and see if I can find it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=305401

['68OrangeSunshine]

Originally Posted by CG

If you are going for the real thing whats a few more bucks haha!

There was someone on the board selling instructions and kits to install these. I purchased one and have it stashed (somewhere). Ill try a search and see if I can find it.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=305401

The Unity company sells the Installation kit for the 67 72 GM trucks, with chrome bracket, templates, hardware and instructions for $66.66. P/N 202. Personnally I don't care that my cop spot has a Unity tag, as long as it lights up.

[davepl]

From Unity I'm looking at about $333 with the install kit.
For NOS I'm at $600.
For used I bought one for $30, shipped for $20. Advanced says $300 to plate it. That means $400.

So you can have an NOS with shelf wear for $600 or a perfectly replated original for about $500.

I think I'll go with the new one and keep the original for parts. Still not sure that I'm ready to hang one on my truck though, so will wait for now. It's a big step to drill that hole!

[tommys72]

If you're not ready to drill a hole yet, keep the money and buy one later. Money saved is a good thing vice a part sitting and collecting dust....just a thought. But then again, I have to small kids that have hungry mouths haha, so that's why I save money

[davepl]

Originally Posted by tommys72

If you're not ready to drill a hole yet, keep the money and buy one later. Money saved is a good thing vice a part sitting and collecting dust....just a thought. But then again, I have to small kids that have hungry mouths haha, so that's why I save money

I've got four, that's why I do my own labor :-)

I bought the core for $30, figured that was a reasonable gamble, and if a -cheaper- NOS one came up I'd grab it, but yeah, I'll wait until I'm ready to drill to buy anything. I'm one of those people who values shelf space, so a part has to be valuable enough to warrant the storage space for it!