what is the reason for over cab running lights? Does anybody know were i can find the stock ones for 1987 to 1996 model trucks?

 

Vehicles with a width over 80" must run clearance lights.

 

5 is good........................7 is

 

but why did/do some 1/2 and 3/4 tons come with cab over lights?, its cool, but no way are they that wide. i got a lund visor for my first ranger that had built-in clearance lights. it did give back a annoying glare in heavy fog though.

 

for looks.......

 

Both my '71 F100 and '78 F250 had cabover lights, and both of them were 'Camper Special's. They were equipped for pulling a camper or slide-in which would require the clearance lights.

 

Maybe I'm wrong, but I was taught that roof CLEARANCE lights were just that: you could slowly pull up to a low-overhead (parking garage, for example), and if you saw the reflection of your marker lights you knew it was too low to go in. No?

 

thats my guess...our '99 F-250 had clearance lights.

 

that makes sense.

 

I figured it was so other traffic can tell the size of the vehicle in the dark from a distance. Trailers come with them too so I don't think they are just to look cool. Though in the case of the pickups they might be.

 

Yeah! I've thought about putting clearance lights on my van for this reason. While it may not stop every moron from pulling out in front of me, it may make a few of them think twice before testing the brakes on a 2.5 ton truck....

 

I believe that's why they call them "Clearance lights". Mine come stock on my F250SD 2000 4x4.

 

The roof lights are to Denote the *Height* of the truck.

Meaning Clearance height for going under overpasses & the like.

 

I remember them on my parents' '67 2WD. You'd have to have a pretty low underpass to have a problem in that truck. It was a basic Custom with a 240, it sure wasn't a camper special. It had to be for decoration.

 

Check your State driving manual and the reason/requirements will be in it. If your vehicles does not meet this requirement, then they were put on to look cool, nothing else.

They were intended to show width and height of truck back in the days when lighting was a premium and street lights didn't light every street corner up.

They do have a real purpose other than looks. Granted some mfg's have stretched it a little for looks.