Cab Clearance Light Install
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Dairy, OR
Cab Clearance Light Install
I decided to install some cab lights in my truck, got a good deal on them off ebay. Figured I would share my install procedure with ya all.
This is my truck before installing the lights.
I got this set of lights off ebay for $22.95 with free shipping! It is the same set sold by both LMC and NPD for around $40 plus $10 to ship it, only difference is I did not get the rocker switch, wiring or connectors. I had all that stuff in my cabinet already so I saved a lot on the lights.
Since I did not take a picture of the wiring let me explain my harness. I unbolted the front half of my headliner and dropped it down just enough to run the wires across the cab. I started with 14 gauge wire running through the hole I drilled for the first light on the drivers side. I then soldered inline every 12" a 5" long wire to be attached to the pigtail on the lights finally ending the long feed wire inside the passenger kick panel at the factory plug in. All connectors were soldered and covered with heat shrink then wires were fed out the holes (shown in later picture) and wire harness secured under headliner with duct tape.
I used masking tape across the top of the cab to mark the light locations. Lights are 3 1/4 from top of windshield molding to front of the light. They are 12" between center from light to light starting from the middle light which is center of the truck. By using masking tape I could put the lights right were I wanted them and draw a line around them. then I disassembled one of the lights and used the bottom gasket to line up on tracing so I could mark hole locations.
I drilled 3 holes for each light... 2 for mounting and one for wires.
I made the wire hole bigger so that my soldered/heat shrink connections could fit through them. I also installed small grommets in the holes so the wires would not chafe... sorry no picture of that.
Lights installed and working!!!
Side by side comparison
To me the lights change the whole look of the truck for the better! I have had these 2 weeks now and have gotten several compliments on the new look. The complete install even with the extra time I spent on making the harness was just under 2 hours.
This is my truck before installing the lights.
I got this set of lights off ebay for $22.95 with free shipping! It is the same set sold by both LMC and NPD for around $40 plus $10 to ship it, only difference is I did not get the rocker switch, wiring or connectors. I had all that stuff in my cabinet already so I saved a lot on the lights.
Since I did not take a picture of the wiring let me explain my harness. I unbolted the front half of my headliner and dropped it down just enough to run the wires across the cab. I started with 14 gauge wire running through the hole I drilled for the first light on the drivers side. I then soldered inline every 12" a 5" long wire to be attached to the pigtail on the lights finally ending the long feed wire inside the passenger kick panel at the factory plug in. All connectors were soldered and covered with heat shrink then wires were fed out the holes (shown in later picture) and wire harness secured under headliner with duct tape.
I used masking tape across the top of the cab to mark the light locations. Lights are 3 1/4 from top of windshield molding to front of the light. They are 12" between center from light to light starting from the middle light which is center of the truck. By using masking tape I could put the lights right were I wanted them and draw a line around them. then I disassembled one of the lights and used the bottom gasket to line up on tracing so I could mark hole locations.
I drilled 3 holes for each light... 2 for mounting and one for wires.
I made the wire hole bigger so that my soldered/heat shrink connections could fit through them. I also installed small grommets in the holes so the wires would not chafe... sorry no picture of that.
Lights installed and working!!!
Side by side comparison
To me the lights change the whole look of the truck for the better! I have had these 2 weeks now and have gotten several compliments on the new look. The complete install even with the extra time I spent on making the harness was just under 2 hours.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,638
Likes: 1
From: Manitoba
Nice job..... and I like your truck.....same as mine.
I had a truck with those orange lights....... only time I regreted having them was during raging snow storms...... all I had in front windshield was an orange glow. Fortunately you can shut yours off I could not mine were factory wired to switch.
I had a truck with those orange lights....... only time I regreted having them was during raging snow storms...... all I had in front windshield was an orange glow. Fortunately you can shut yours off I could not mine were factory wired to switch.
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From: Dairy, OR
I am wired into the factory switch.. no shutting them off for me either. We are on our second week of heavy snow though and I have driven them in bad snow and fog at 3am on country highway with no problems.
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From: Hagerstown, Md
wow they look nice WarOzz great job! and nice pics with tutorial! you said about the factory plug in at the passenger kick panel? if you dont mind me askin what did you mean by that? is that where the stock wiring comes together for lighting?
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Hagerstown, Md
sweet! good deal yeah i plan on puttin on a set of cab lights this winter and thatll make it a lot easier!
thanks guys!
thanks guys!
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
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From: Peterborough, Ontario
If you want to control them with an additional switch, run a pair of wires from that pigtail over to a switch, then your light switch still acts as a master to shut them off with.
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From: Hagerstown, Md
now the pigtail is already wired into the light switch though right so when the lights are on the cab light will in turn be on?
also is the factory plug female? i am assuming yes either way can the male end be had at a parts store or online? or is that an item to find at a junkyard?
also is the factory plug female? i am assuming yes either way can the male end be had at a parts store or online? or is that an item to find at a junkyard?
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From: Dairy, OR
The pigtail is hot whenever the parking or headlights are on. A standard crimp on male bullet connector will plug right into it. It's a two wire plug but you do not need the ground because the lights ground to the cab.
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From: Dairy, OR
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 2
From: Dairy, OR
Here is a link to the set I bought (5) AMBER TRUCK RV CAB MARKER LIGHTS PETERBILT KENWORTH - eBay (item 350417191925 end time Dec-26-10 10:02:12 PST)
Remember they do not come with wiring or mounting screws.. you will need some #10 x 3/4 sheet metal screws, a roll of 14 guage wire and a soldering kit.
Remember they do not come with wiring or mounting screws.. you will need some #10 x 3/4 sheet metal screws, a roll of 14 guage wire and a soldering kit.