This may sounds strange, but the little mods I've done up to now have consisted of Husky floor liners, seat covers, Line-X, etc. which really don't require DRILLING OF HOLES, ouch, that term scares me. I'm having an Access bed cover put on today that only requires clamps and no holes. It's like this truck of mine is still a virgin, until I drill that first hole. After the first hole is drilled, I bet it is really a lot easier to drill the second and third whole. Is that how is was for some of you? Then after you've installed your 'nth mod and 50 holes later you have to "Make believe it's your first time" as the Carpenter's song from 1980 goes

 

Err, my Expedition has 15 antenna mount holes in the roof (3/4-in. diameter), not to mention all the emergency equipment. It's your truck, build it up the way you want it, to hell with a few holes!

 

I am the SAME EXACT WAY. I hate drilling holes, anything but drill a hole in my truck.. When i mounted my tool box i tried everything possible to keep from having to drill holes, Finally Had to cause nothing else would hold it. I finally driled the holes, sanded and primed and painted them and then bolted the box down and sealed them up.. I hate drilling holes..

 

I use a rachet strap to hold my tool box in, cause i refuse to drill holes for it. I will drill on bumpers or other relative easy things to replace...but not on the main body.

My box is a in bed model that stays even with the top bed sides when mounted on 2 2x4. this allows me to still put 4x8 sheets of plywood in (between the 2x4 holding the box). Also the 2x4 give me a good place to run the strap to hold it down.

 

When drilling holes, you should measure for the correct location and recheck your measurement. ALWAYS check what is behind the area to be drilled and use a center punch to start a pilot hole. If the hole is larger than 1/4 inch use a smaller bit to make a pilot hole. After the hole is drilled use a clean dry cloth and wipe the area with in a bout a foot or below the hole to remove the small shavings. These shavings will be hot and stick to the pain and start to rust. If the hole is unseen place use paint on primer to seal the exposed metal and if the hole is in view you can get color matched touch paint from the dealer and do the same.

In carpeted areas, it is best to use a "leather hole punch that is about the size of the bit (but not larger) and punch a hole in the carpet and then drill the hole. This does not pull the carpet fibers with the bit.

This should lesson the apprehension of drilling holes in your vehicle. The more you drill the better you will feel about the process.

 

I felt like that when I did my billet grille. I had to cut the honeycomb portions as well as all the bars in front. The only thing I kept thinking was how horrible this would look if I cut too much. I took my time, measured about 3-4 times before the saw, dremmel, and palm sander came out. After it was all over I had a great looking grille that was well worth it.

You're right about the second time being easier, I added the APEX projection headlights about 6 months later and I had to cut holes into the mounting space of the headlight. When the dust cleared ... again a mod well worth the worry and work. Just do it ... if you really wanted it ... it'll be worth it.

 

You think its tough drilling the first hole in a truck...
Try the first hole in a boat hull!!!!!

 

Yeah i want to add cab lights to my truck, but don't have the guts to drill through the top of my cab!

 

To me, the big deal is if the hole would be visible or not. I would not install cab lights myself. Shopped for a while to find the truck I want with the cab lights already on it. I have drilled plenty of holes in my cab for running wires and whatnot, but those holes are totally hidden. I've also mounted some junk under the hood on the inner quarter pannels. Again, not easily seen. I do take my time drilling holes and make sure to put something on the bare metal.

I will tell you something though. It's just a truck. Even if you parked it in a garage and never touched it, it will eventually be gone, never new again. I encourage you to have fun with it. If you're a DIYer like myself, do whatever you'd like.

My '99 E350 was my first somewhat new car(6 mo's old, 11k miles). I did some small mods myself, but the big one, a large stereo, I took to a shop and had done. I've installed stereos for other people since freshman year of highschool. But since this was my new van, I didn't want to do it myself.

Well now I have a '04 F250, which is my first NEW new car(currently 7k miles). I've taken my stereo from my van, got a few new components, and in the next couple weeks I'll be installing it in my truck myself. Honestly, I can't wait, and I will have no problem drilling whatever I need to to do it. THIS time, when someone asks me who did my stereo, the answer is only ME!

sorry, that got long.
-Jay

 

You wanna try some expensive fiberglass, how about the first hole in a brand-new $185,000 Kenworth T300 commercial-cab tanker/pumper? I sucked it up a bit over that one

 

That's gotta hurt... but at least you don't have
to worry about the rig sinking on the test ride!