cab lights
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cab lights
Just bought a 2003 250 sd. It has these 5 orange lights mounted to the roof of the cab , like you might see on a tow truck or some commercial vehicle. Is this some of significance ? Are they a Ford item or an aftermarket add-on? Any help appreciated.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Long Island USA
There is a LEGAL reason for them.
If the vehicle and any trailer exceeds 80" in width, you need 'em. I think DRW's have to have them. I'm not sure about requiring them past a certain height.
Otherwise, they are just for looks.
Either way, no problems. And no arguments about it guys, OK?
Keep it technical.
If the vehicle and any trailer exceeds 80" in width, you need 'em. I think DRW's have to have them. I'm not sure about requiring them past a certain height.
Otherwise, they are just for looks.
Either way, no problems. And no arguments about it guys, OK?
Keep it technical.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 495
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From: Spearfish SD
They are optional equipment on a F250, no reason for them to be there other that whoever ordered the truck wanted cab lights.
If you had purchased a 1 ton with dual wheels, or a F450 & up, then the lights are required by federal and some state regulations.
If you had purchased a 1 ton with dual wheels, or a F450 & up, then the lights are required by federal and some state regulations.
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From: Denver, Co
Part of the intent of the law behind cab clearance lights is so that your fellow motorists will be able to identify your direction of travel (amber lights indicate the vehicle is facing towards you - red lights indicate the vehicle is facing away from you), and approximate distance & position on the roadway when they see you.
Duallies have marker lights around their extended wheel wells for the same reasons.
Duallies have marker lights around their extended wheel wells for the same reasons.
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The lights are required on vehicles over 80" in width, such as duallies. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration calls them "conspicuity lights," since they're supposed to make a truck conspicuous or easy to see and stand out for safety's sake.
The three in the center are the ID portion (same as the three on the rear between the tailgate and bumper), and the outer two are merely clearance lights. So, on duallies they're required, and on SRW trucks, they're just for looks.
The three in the center are the ID portion (same as the three on the rear between the tailgate and bumper), and the outer two are merely clearance lights. So, on duallies they're required, and on SRW trucks, they're just for looks.
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by ryaneverk2
So, on duallies they're required, and on SRW trucks, they're just for looks.
Clearance lights are required if anything about the vehicle is over 80" wide too...
So, you may see a SRW with clearance lights, but they aren't just for looks. The trailer that thing tows is 80" wide or bigger
Or, you have a drop-in camper that's 80" or wider, etc etc.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
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I was just referring to the truck itself, as it comes from the factory (no trailers attached 
). Sure there are some SRW trucks that require them like Hummers but our trucks don't.
Actually I thought that only the thing that's over 80" requires them, so if you're towing a large trailer with a car, the car doesn't require them, but the trailer does. Or say you put a camper on your SRW Superduty, the camper requires them but the truck does not. I guess if that's not right I need to do a little research!
). Sure there are some SRW trucks that require them like Hummers but our trucks don't.Actually I thought that only the thing that's over 80" requires them, so if you're towing a large trailer with a car, the car doesn't require them, but the trailer does. Or say you put a camper on your SRW Superduty, the camper requires them but the truck does not. I guess if that's not right I need to do a little research!
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From: Long Island USA
The way I remember it, the last time we went round-and-round about this, is:
If ANY part of the vehicle, tractor OR trailer is 80" or wider, the tractor needs clearance lights. The trailer does need "marker" lights or some such.... but pretty sure the tractor needs them no matter what if the trailer is 80" or more.
There should be a backyard lawyer visiting this soon
If ANY part of the vehicle, tractor OR trailer is 80" or wider, the tractor needs clearance lights. The trailer does need "marker" lights or some such.... but pretty sure the tractor needs them no matter what if the trailer is 80" or more.
There should be a backyard lawyer visiting this soon