Installed some cab lights today...
Beer Fridge Finder
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 14,988
Likes: 1,151
From: Savannah, GA
Nice job. When I did mine I did the five evenly spaced gig. Like the Fords were before the 2000 body style. Back then I referred to the 3/2 thing as 'the Chevy style' I know. I'm weird.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,180
Likes: 0
From: OAHU,KANEOHE HAWAII
Judging by the interest in the template, I will go ahead and plot out a dozen patterns or so. Just send me a PM with your address and I'll mail them out at the end of the week.
Does anyone know if the Recon lights require the same size holes and spacing? Chris (kupaa), can you check this out for me please? If not, then I can add locations for the Recon lights to the template then it will work for OEM or Recon lights.
Clay, if you happen to see this thread and are interested...I would be happy to send you some patterns so you can include them with any of your new orders for cab lights. Just toss me an e-mail and let me know how many you think you need. (unless of course the Recon lights already come with a template....)
Does anyone know if the Recon lights require the same size holes and spacing? Chris (kupaa), can you check this out for me please? If not, then I can add locations for the Recon lights to the template then it will work for OEM or Recon lights.
Clay, if you happen to see this thread and are interested...I would be happy to send you some patterns so you can include them with any of your new orders for cab lights. Just toss me an e-mail and let me know how many you think you need. (unless of course the Recon lights already come with a template....)
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,726
Likes: 5
From: Slatington, PA
The best way to get a nice hole without any tearing of the sheet metal is to use an electricians knockout punch, 7/8" IIRC. It cuts the hole rather then drilling it. All you need is a pilot hole for the bolt to go through.
Last edited by twags6; Mar 10, 2011 at 02:57 AM. Reason: had the wrong punch size
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
A step drill bit is your best bet for distortion free holes. Home Depot has 'em and the 3 pack from Harbor Freight is surprisingly good. I've had mine for a few years and it still works.
2 Piece Titanium Nitride Coated High Speed Steel Step Drills
2 Piece Titanium Nitride Coated High Speed Steel Step Drills
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,708
Likes: 5
From: Kiowa CO
A step drill bit is your best bet for distortion free holes. Home Depot has 'em and the 3 pack from Harbor Freight is surprisingly good. I've had mine for a few years and it still works.
2 Piece Titanium Nitride Coated High Speed Steel Step Drills
2 Piece Titanium Nitride Coated High Speed Steel Step Drills
Thread Starter
|
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 26
From: Mesa AZ
A knock-out punch (draw style) is the best method but those are expensive. If you know an electrician or sheet metal worker then you might be able to borrow one. You have to drill a small pilot hole and then assemble the tool so the punch is on one side and the die piece on the other. Then you tighten the bolt which draws them together and punches out the hole in the metal. It leaves a nice clean hole.
Don't forget to paint the exposed metal edge of the hole so it doesn't rust. Good luck!
(in retrospect, I should have taken more pics....) Sorry.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
How was it doing the electrical when you installed it. My truck doesnt have them and Ive been wanting to put a set on since I got the truck. Do you run the wires to an existing spot in the cab, or is it like gauges where I had to run a hot wire to the battery? If anyone has pictures of the wiring that would be awesome.