template for Clearance lights?
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
template for Clearance lights?
I am putting on a set of over cab clearnace lights on my 1985 F-250. I was wondering if anyone knew of a template I could use or how does the dealer put them on?? I want it to be damn near perfect. Thanx a bunch.
-Jason-
-Jason-
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh, NC
template for Clearance lights?
Go and ask a friend or person you know who has them on their truck and take measurements and you can create one from that. Also, don't forget to measure the distance from the front of the roof to the front of EACH light. I have noticed on some trucks, the lights are not exactly in-line with each other once installed. My main point is, take measurements and CHECK them for accuracy. Then you can come up with a template.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
template for Clearance lights?
If you measured 10 trucks, you'd probably get 10 sets of measurements. Do whatever makes sense & looks good to you. For a while Ford spaced them evenly (^--^--^--^--^), and GM & Dodge put 3 in the middle and 2 outboard. Then GM & Dodge started spacing them evenly and Ford went to ^----^-^-^----^ .
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
template for Clearance lights?
I installed mine a long time ago.
What I did is take a piece of string and strung it from 1" backof the front of the rain gutter to the same place on the other rain gutter.
This gave me an fore and aft meaurement.
I made a mark at each end (rain gutter).
I removed the string and folded it in half>
This gives me the position of the center light.
I them measured either 9 or 10" each direction from the center mark.
From there I measured and marked the positions for the Outside lights ( My discretion) ,
After all 7 marks are made, I again laid the string across the roof
so the end marks were at their drip rail positions.
I then went up to the roof and laid the front of the light at each
mark of the string > Then marked where the mounting holes should go.
Once the screw holes were drilled ,I had to eye in where the wires would go through.Drill then I got some rubber grommets for those 5 holes , applied some silicone and screw the lights down.
It took me about 2 hours start to finish.
Do you already have the lights & special harness ?
What I did is take a piece of string and strung it from 1" backof the front of the rain gutter to the same place on the other rain gutter.
This gave me an fore and aft meaurement.
I made a mark at each end (rain gutter).
I removed the string and folded it in half>
This gives me the position of the center light.
I them measured either 9 or 10" each direction from the center mark.
From there I measured and marked the positions for the Outside lights ( My discretion) ,
After all 7 marks are made, I again laid the string across the roof
so the end marks were at their drip rail positions.
I then went up to the roof and laid the front of the light at each
mark of the string > Then marked where the mounting holes should go.
Once the screw holes were drilled ,I had to eye in where the wires would go through.Drill then I got some rubber grommets for those 5 holes , applied some silicone and screw the lights down.
It took me about 2 hours start to finish.
Do you already have the lights & special harness ?
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
template for Clearance lights?
Thanx a bunch, sounds like that might work...yes it came with a harness but i don't wanna use the switch, i wanna wire the lights so that when I turn my parking lights on, they come on just like it came from the factory!! I bought the kit from a guy off ebay but it is in the original package so there should (<==key word here) be no defects. One question while I am in here. . .they are the paintable kind, what color should I paint them?? I was thinking chrome spray paint, the truck is primer white. Thanx again.
-Jason-
-Jason-
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
template for Clearance lights?
If you want those to last.
I wouldn't paint them any kind of silver/chrome.
If I was you it would be a good white lacquer or enamel paint.
These sound weird to make that you have to do this.
Do you have any photos of them?
Harness !
Yes that's what I was referring to,having the original harness so they come on with the other lights.
I wouldn't paint them any kind of silver/chrome.
If I was you it would be a good white lacquer or enamel paint.
These sound weird to make that you have to do this.
Do you have any photos of them?
Harness !
Yes that's what I was referring to,having the original harness so they come on with the other lights.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 165
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From: Juneau, AK
template for Clearance lights?
having done this on two trucks i'll only add be gentle when punching the drill bit through the roof, there is two layers and it is real easy to break your bit.
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Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
template for Clearance lights?
Thanx for the info. . .I got them on and they look pretty darn good. I stopped and "looked" at an 86 f-350 with the clearance lights on it, I measured them and went home and put thewm on. Thanx again!!
-Jason-
-Jason-
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