Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Marker lights

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 05:04 PM
  #1  
rmalottwtes30's Avatar
rmalottwtes30
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Marker lights

I want to put the 5 lights on top of my cab on my f-100, how can I get them all lined up and even?
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2005 | 07:15 PM
  #2  
Mil1ion's Avatar
Mil1ion
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
I used a string from the rain gutter moulding stretched it marked with permanent marker in the very middle of the roof ;
then from the middle I measured equal amounts toward the outsides Then drilled the front hole where the marker was made.
 
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2005 | 11:14 AM
  #3  
Lane Dexter's Avatar
Lane Dexter
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
From: Rockport, WA
Good luck. I like cab marker lights. I put some on my old International. Just remember, five lights equals fifteen holes in the roof to leak -- two screws and a wire hole at each light.

You do realize, I hope, that five evenly spaced lights is meaningless and shows ignorance of the original purpose of the lights. The three in the center (amber in front, red in rear) have a particular DOT purpose on trucks and trailers. The two outboard lights are markers with a different purpose. There is no legitimate purpose for five evenly spaced cab lights, but some people do it.

My reason for putting cab markers on my fairly tall old International and on a Suburban we used to have, is that I hoped the sight of the cab lights up there, along with the side markers visible on the wide car trailer behind me, would encourage oncoming traffic to give me a bit more room.

By the way, a handy catalog for markers, emergency lights, tiedowns of every kind, and just about anything you can imagine needing on a wrecker or service truck, is AW Direct. http://www.awdirect.com/ They are really fast; it sees like you just hung up the phone, and UPS is dropping off your items.

Have fun installing those marker lights, and I wish you no leaks. Our '93 Suburban with factory installed markers did leak, but it was a Chevy..
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2005 | 07:31 PM
  #4  
hotroddually's Avatar
hotroddually
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
both my trucks have cab lights on them from the factory. they are evenly spaced apart. ive noticed most 73-79 fseries,and 80-96 f series trucksthat have 5 cab(clearance) lights,are evenly spaced on the cab.ford seems to be the only one that did this.ive seen people install them on trucks themselves,and put them 3 in the center,and one on each side of the cab outer edge. nomatter which way they are,they finish off a truck really nice.
 
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2005 | 08:08 PM
  #5  
TurtleBoyPW5's Avatar
TurtleBoyPW5
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
They do give a truck a nice finish, ive seen them both ways evenly and not, both look great. But, is it worth the potential of roof leakadge in the long run?
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2005 | 01:09 AM
  #6  
Lane Dexter's Avatar
Lane Dexter
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
From: Rockport, WA
I guess it depends on the installer and his reasoning. Just today, I saw a semi that had evenly spaced red lights across the top of the trailer (and vertically down the rear edges) and the wrong number to boot. That guy had lights all over!

In general, I'd call evenly spaced lights a nice decorative touch. I'd call the group of three in the center, with markers on the outside, traditional because it hearkens to the original legal reason.

A few years back, I specified a rescue ambulance for our VFD. I had so many scene lights and emergency strobes, that the only way the builder could put rear markers on the module was to use six evenly spaced red lights.

I have occasionally seen just the three center markers on a cab. Picture a 40's International farm truck with a flatbed, and just the three DOT markers in the middle of the cab.

Of course you could go really crazy and get some Christmas "chase" lights, so you'd have a wave of amber light streaming across the cab...
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2005 | 01:25 AM
  #7  
FordPickup460's Avatar
FordPickup460
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 4,392
Likes: 1
From: Cab of a truck
My 76 F250 Custom 4x4 came from the factory (I got the spec sheet from Ford) with the 3 in the middle, and the 2 on the outside.

I do not like the newer Chevy 1ton Cab lights. There is a solid bar in the middle for the middle 3, and 2 on the outside. I think it looks korny.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2005 | 02:20 AM
  #8  
Lane Dexter's Avatar
Lane Dexter
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,249
Likes: 2
From: Rockport, WA
I have to agree with you there, Trey. That solid bar stuff for the center three really is cheesy.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Jul 9, 2005 | 09:04 AM
  #9  
hotroddually's Avatar
hotroddually
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,243
Likes: 0
From: Maple Ridge B.C. Canada
i also agree, the solid bar of lights in the center of the newer chevy is not my personal favorite. i like five across the top.even spaces or not . they look good,especially at dusk with just park lights lite up. seems like a photo opp moment.
 
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2005 | 11:26 AM
  #10  
n9lhm's Avatar
n9lhm
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 446
Likes: 1
From: South Bend, IN
So, Lane or anybody else in the know, tell us what the legal requirements are and how they should be spaced on the roof.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
2004f250superduty
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Nov 4, 2013 11:40 AM
abyars111
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
11
Nov 12, 2012 09:18 AM
carolinaborn82
2004 - 2008 F150
6
Jun 25, 2012 11:17 PM
Evan_P
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Apr 19, 2012 11:43 PM
tbart16
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
13
Jun 9, 2007 07:36 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:38 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE