Spotlight Installation Guidance Needed
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 366
Likes: 3
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.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,202
Likes: 4,817
From: Burbank, WA
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.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
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.
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.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
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
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
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 366
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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.
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
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.
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.
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