1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Spotlight Installation Guidance Needed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 12-07-2010, 12:11 PM
Steves55's Avatar
Steves55
Steves55 is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Question Spotlight Installation Guidance Needed

As an early Christmas gift, my wife bought me a Unity S6 Spotlight for the 53-55 F100s. My delima is that after examining the drilling template, it appears that the bracket (Unity 15L) was designed to be mounted on top right of the windshield close to the roof! Not exactly my desire to install it there. I contacted Unity and apparently the only drawing they have for the 53-55s are indeed that location. It seems to me that I would be ok to use the same bracket and make the installation in the traditional location but I could be wrong. The other concern is pinpointing a good location that would allow me to do this. The pillar bar is awfully narrow. Maybe this explains why I have never seen a photo of a 53-55 with a spotlight. Appreciate any guidance.
 
  #2  
Old 12-07-2010, 12:47 PM
52 Merc's Avatar
52 Merc
52 Merc is offline
Hotshot
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Burbank, WA
Posts: 13,922
Received 2,450 Likes on 1,397 Posts
My Mercury had a spotlight installed over the windshield drivers side. The handle came through the sun visor mount hole. That puts the handle within inches of your forehead. It's a very uncomfortable feeling, and you can almost feel it crashing into your skull in the event of an accident just looking at it. I wouldn't recommend that as a mounting location.
 
  #3  
Old 12-07-2010, 03:12 PM
Julies Cool F1's Avatar
Julies Cool F1
Julies Cool F1 is offline
Post Fiend
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Poway, Ca.
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
The standard location for the optional spots was down low on the pillar. If you have the correct mounting bracket - #66, the spotlight will mount there.

The handle comes through so it sits just above the dash. Here are pics of mine in the 51. 53-55 uses the same mounting bracket (#66), "A" base (tube), 4" shaft, and location.

Name:  G Spotlight Passengers Side.jpg
Views: 3234
Size:  51.5 KB

Name:  G Spotlight Install 6.jpg
Views: 3026
Size:  113.1 KB

Name:  26b. Sun Visor.jpg
Views: 2543
Size:  79.7 KB
 
  #4  
Old 12-07-2010, 03:59 PM
Julies Cool F1's Avatar
Julies Cool F1
Julies Cool F1 is offline
Post Fiend
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Poway, Ca.
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
Ok I'm back. I looked at the template instructions I had and it is template # B254, and the Unity bracket number for that is a #15 (L=left; R=right) it was interchangeable with the #66 which is what I have installed.

Here is where the confusion lies. The instructions are generic and are used for Ford Trucks 1948-1955. The instructions were written in 1948 and state that the template should be placed on the pillar with the bottom edge on the windshield seam, and the outside edge against the drip rail. AHAH!

The drip rail on the 48-52 comes down the front of the pillar and on the 53-55 (56 too) it goes across the top of the windshield. So in order to follow the placement directions, that would put the template high up on the pillar.

If you look at the lower picture above, you can see the "windshield seam" and the adjacent drip rail (which you don't have on your 55, Steve).

Oddly though, for certain applications, Unity did have the upper mounting available as Wayne described. This was done mainly on big trucks and Fire trucks. It was called an "upper mounting," but that's not where yours in supposed to go - unless you want it there.

Try putting your template on the windshield seam and the back edge of the pillar where the wind wing area of the door is located
 
  #5  
Old 12-07-2010, 05:25 PM
Steves55's Avatar
Steves55
Steves55 is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Julie, thanks for the info and sharing photos of your installation. Like Wayne mentioned, there is no way that I will mount the spotlight as the template suggests. So if I understand correctly, the 66 and 15 bracket are the same? Besides trying the tempate as you suggested, I will remove the bracket and see how it forms against the lower portion and based on the angle, it will give me a good idea as to where the handle would be. I am really having reservations about even bothering to install this. Thanks again.
 
  #6  
Old 12-07-2010, 07:33 PM
Julies Cool F1's Avatar
Julies Cool F1
Julies Cool F1 is offline
Post Fiend
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Poway, Ca.
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 0
Received 13 Likes on 13 Posts
Originally Posted by Steves55
Julie, thanks for the info and sharing photos of your installation. Like Wayne mentioned, there is no way that I will mount the spotlight as the template suggests. So if I understand correctly, the 66 and 15 bracket are the same? Besides trying the tempate as you suggested, I will remove the bracket and see how it forms against the lower portion and based on the angle, it will give me a good idea as to where the handle would be. I am really having reservations about even bothering to install this. Thanks again.
Let me know how it works out!

Be sure when you finally find the place you want to mount it, that you use the drill guide provided. The lights went in at a very particular angle and that guide will make sure you get that right.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeffro55
WTB - Parts & other
1
08-17-2017 10:57 AM
Thunderkiss65
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
04-08-2017 06:42 AM
zolav8
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
03-18-2017 10:05 AM
abe
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
12-18-2016 12:48 PM
CdnWillyG
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
103
04-29-2011 10:22 AM



Quick Reply: Spotlight Installation Guidance Needed



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:26 AM.