Cab lights. Why???

[mattwhiteyanks1]

Can anybody explain to me why instead of altering the cab lights for a "cab light option" truck, they put a different cab on the truck? I just noticed on mine, how the cab roof is raised where the lights mount. Seems like it would be easier to adapt the lights instead of making molds to make a different cab.

[jlsanborn]

Because it's cool! You have an awesome cab. If you don't like the clearance lights, then sell the whole cab or section it out it for a pretty penny and build what you like. I don't understand the reasoning behind it but it does make yours a little rare and desirable to some.

[mattwhiteyanks1]

Don't get me wrong, I love the lights. For the rarity, but especially for the looks. To me, they make it look like a "real work truck". Part of the reason, I initially thought it was a 3/4 ton truck. Not a chance I'll be selling it.

[jlsanborn]

Good to hear. I think they're cool too!

[special-K]

The lights fit on the plain roof skin just fine w/o the raised pods. The pods are there to give proper clearance for the pigtail. The same light was used throughout the square body run mounted on the same smooth roof skin because they were designed for them. When '67s were designed the lights had not yet been mandated on 10k GVW dual rear 1t trucks by ICC and enough room for wiring between skins was not provided

[davepl]

Special-K, does that mean there were no lights offered on the 67, or did they produce an alternate cab already in 67?

As someone who's fished all the wiring for cab lights (twice!), I can attest there's not a lot of room, but it can be done of course!

[burnin oil]

A little off topic but I have an old Mack truck that was made in 51. Cab lights were not mandated at the time but were optional. The factory called them Michigan lights. Some laws are just a little crazy.

[special-K]

Not sure, Dave, but the cab lights were always used on heavier trucks. Just not mandated yet at the lower weight that class 1ts are. But the cabs were the same as the big boys. I imagine the "Yankee 77" style worked out with the pigtail, but they were an accessory installed by owners or dealers. But not under factory wiring. And aren't the bases just flat with a hole for the wire? My guess is once they had to install them from factory they designed a base they felt would resist leaking better. The base has a built-in grommet that hangs down making less room for the bend in the wire

[52napco]

They are SEXIE lol

[jocko]

EVERY truck should have em. One of my favorite options - that I DON'T have. Don't like em on a non-light cab though, unless it was the way the factory did it - ala squares.

[Ft.ValloniaStreaker]

I get a lot of comments on mine because I don't think most people could see them on top of the big trucks.... Or just weren't paying attention.

[Steven R]

Originally Posted by jocko

EVERY truck should have em. One of my favorite options - that I DON'T have. Don't like em on a non-light cab though, unless it was the way the factory did it - ala squares.

Would some one please tell what you mean by these, ie pics pls,

I want cab lights so bad but have not found the right ones yet.

[special-K]

My '72 K2500 will have clearance lamps when I get into a restoration. I have a high hump a/c clearance lamp cab for it, or maybe just graft the top on.

I put the factory lights on my work trucks with no-lights way back when. I didn't know it was too tight, or that raised pods were used, so it worked out fine

[57taskforce]

I'm a fan. This is my dads old 71 K10 circa Sept '94ish. I miss this truck to this day. Cab lights are one of the best options other than hooks and blue dials in my opinion.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by Steven R

Would some one please tell what you mean by these, ie pics pls,

I want cab lights so bad but have not found the right ones yet.

I think he means he likes the ones on the factory pads but not the Yankee style like this:

[Steven R]

Originally Posted by davepl

I think he means he likes the ones on the factory pads but not the Yankee style like this:

Yes that look nice, It's what I plan to to to mine. I just think cab lights say i'm a workin truck and not a toy that sits a garage. So with that farm truck look I have always wanted its a must. Plus I used to drive Hwy truck. and I love the way truckers say tks when flashing clearance lights.

[special-K]

When the population drove with more sense I noticed people tended to wait and not pull out on me at night in a truck with clearance lamps. I figured they couldn't tell it was just a pickup and thought twice about pulling out on a big truck