1983 Crew Cab Interior Lights Help
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 3
1983 Crew Cab Interior Lights Help
Hey everyone, I'm looking to install some overhead lights and a glove box light in my 1983 crew cab. The truck came from the factory plain Jane, no radio, no A/C, no interior lights. The headliner has disintegrated, so my plan is to have a sheet metal headliner fabricated, and some overhead lights installed on that. I'd like to have enough light to illuminate both bench seats. I'm not entirely sure what the overhead lights look like for older model Fords, so if anyone could key in on what were the factory options and what they looked like, that'd be awesome. I've been looking on Ebay and LMC truck and have found a few dome/map lights, but I'd like to see some photo references and input on where exactly they go on the inside and what they look like installed. Thanks!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 183
Likes: 19
From: Columbus Ohio
If you're fabricating a sheet metal headliner, make sure you post pics please!
if your fabricating something that doesn't appear factory, why worry about factory lighting? Get some flush LED bolts and just install where you want light. They stick out 1/8" from the surface and the easiest install.
I would put 4 lights, one at each corner seat. You could also just get a "broad diffusion" lamp and install it in the middle like factory, but provide much more light than Ford ever provided.
if your fabricating something that doesn't appear factory, why worry about factory lighting? Get some flush LED bolts and just install where you want light. They stick out 1/8" from the surface and the easiest install.
I would put 4 lights, one at each corner seat. You could also just get a "broad diffusion" lamp and install it in the middle like factory, but provide much more light than Ford ever provided.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 3
Unfortunately, no. The headliner is gone, and there is insulation sagging and tearing off the ceiling. I live in New England, so it's probably smart to keep the insulation. I'm thinking about adding insulation to whatever I use to the headliner.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 183
Likes: 19
From: Columbus Ohio
At least use some sound deadening on the back side to avoid the echoes and "tin-roof" sound.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 35
Likes: 3
If you're fabricating a sheet metal headliner, make sure you post pics please!
if your fabricating something that doesn't appear factory, why worry about factory lighting? Get some flush LED bolts and just install where you want light. They stick out 1/8" from the surface and the easiest install.
I would put 4 lights, one at each corner seat. You could also just get a "broad diffusion" lamp and install it in the middle like factory, but provide much more light than Ford ever provided.
if your fabricating something that doesn't appear factory, why worry about factory lighting? Get some flush LED bolts and just install where you want light. They stick out 1/8" from the surface and the easiest install.
I would put 4 lights, one at each corner seat. You could also just get a "broad diffusion" lamp and install it in the middle like factory, but provide much more light than Ford ever provided.
I'd want the headliner to at least almost match the color of the interior, I think it'd appear factory to the unknowing eye. I basically want it to look the same as the old headliner, just made of a different material that doesn't rot if taken care of. I'm also trying not to make the custom bits of my build feel like aftermarket (I'm trying to preserve the 40 year old look)
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