Clearance Lamp Question
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: NorCal
Originally Posted by Rongold
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What is the distance from the top edge of the windshield rubber to the front edge of the lamp base ??? Is it the same for all 5 lights ???
RON
What is the distance from the top edge of the windshield rubber to the front edge of the lamp base ??? Is it the same for all 5 lights ???
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: cochise,az
I taped of the whole front off the cab and made a small card board template to keep it the same measurment from the windsheild. Just check and recheck your numbers. I think working above the liner was the hardest part without taking it completly down. It was scary drilling holes in my new 2 week old truck.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 819
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From: Putnam Valley, New York
Originally Posted by jeff7825
I measured mine 5 1/2" I believe
Maybe, that's why you had to modify the 2 outer lamps to sit flush. I think Motomans measurements are off by a bit, as verified by GregsSD, whose truck has factory installed cab lights. Motoman says 8 and 13 inch horizontal spacing--GregsSD says 8 and 12.5 center to center horizontal spacing. Motoman says to drill the holes 5.5 inches up from the windshield rubber. According to GregsSD's measurements (front edge of his lamp is 3.5 inches from the rubber), his holes should be only 5 inches back from the windshield rubber. I have a lamp here in my hand, and the center of the connector is 1.5 inches back from the front edge of the lamp. The 2 studs are also 1.5 inches back from the lamp front edge. 3.5" from the windshield rubber + 1.5" from the front edge of the lamp to the center of the studs & connector, makes the factory hole only 5 inches up from the top edge of the windshield rubber. The roof is curved, and the lamp is curved. If the location is not exact, the curvature of the lamp is not going to match the curvature of the roof, and then you're going to have a space between the lamp and roof. The lamps are hard plastic, and do not bend. That 1/2 inch, both horizontally and vertically might just be enough to not allow the lamps to sit flush and seal properly.
Last edited by Rongold; Dec 1, 2007 at 11:03 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Putnam Valley, New York
Clearance Lamps
Originally Posted by GregsSD
Here's a pic of my factory installed cablights:
After looking at your picture, I think I know why so many guys have the problem with their 2 outer lamps not sitting flush. In your picture, All 5 of your lamps face straight forward. When most guys drill their holes, they keep the holes parallel to the windshield rubber, which curves upward at the ends. That makes the 2 outer lamps point outwards. Look at the outer holes in the picture below, and you'll see what I mean. This guy said he had problems with the 2 outer lamps not sitting flush with the roof.
Last edited by Rongold; Dec 2, 2007 at 10:15 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 914
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From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
I used motoman's measurements and all of my cab lights face straight forward - I aligned them so that they pointed straight out that way as only the centre hole was measured from the window rubber and the other two were aligned straight forward (unlike that picture above of the headliner down). I still have the problem with the two outside lights needing some trimming (perhaps the half inch closer in measurement of the outside two would make the difference) but it still works fine.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Putnam Valley, New York
Originally Posted by WildWildWest
I used motoman's measurements and all of my cab lights face straight forward - I aligned them so that they pointed straight out that way as only the centre hole was measured from the window rubber and the other two were aligned straight forward (unlike that picture above of the headliner down). I still have the problem with the two outside lights needing some trimming (perhaps the half inch closer in measurement of the outside two would make the difference) but it still works fine.
What part of those 2 outer lamps was not flush with the roof ??? The front, rear, inside-outside ??? How far up did they sit ??? According to other people, Motomans measurements are off by 1/2" too far back from the windshield rubber, and 1/2" spacing on each of the outer 2 lamps. They are too far out.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Saskatoon, SK, CA
There is about 1mm or a little better gap at the front of the clearance light on the outside ones - if I had trimmed the foam underneath a bit or just slightly trimmed/filed the base they would have been fine. I just cut a small piece of rubber to fit the rear of the base (from a tire tube or something similar to make a shim) and sanded it so that it was bevelled and placed it under the rear half of the base to apply some forward pressure - can't tell that it's there and light fits flush. There is a good seal from the factory foam underneath - I didn't silicone mine and I have had a high pressure wand up to it twice since installed and it's not leaking.
Perhaps if you follow the other measurements you won't have this problem - but there's no guarantee that there won't be a slight gap. I didn't want to overtighten the lights down so much that I stripped the bolts, but made them plenty tight - a bit of heat on the base might allow the foam to compress a little more and they would sit flush without trimming or adding a shim.
Perhaps if you follow the other measurements you won't have this problem - but there's no guarantee that there won't be a slight gap. I didn't want to overtighten the lights down so much that I stripped the bolts, but made them plenty tight - a bit of heat on the base might allow the foam to compress a little more and they would sit flush without trimming or adding a shim.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 95
Likes: 3
From: Peoria AZ
I'm going to install my factory clearance lights today.I think I will use the measurements that gregsSD & Rongold talk about since my truck is a 05 also.Has anyone tried these measurements & did the outer lights fit flush? Hope it works out ok.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 95
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From: Peoria AZ
Originally Posted by fdnylax
I used the measurements from greg and rongold. I have an 06 CC and I found that by using their measurements I have no gap under the lens and they fit perfectly.
Last edited by RIDE RED; Dec 30, 2007 at 02:58 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 819
Likes: 3
From: Putnam Valley, New York
Lamp Position
Originally Posted by fdnylax
I did use silicone under the lamps. I also turned the outside lamps on each side of the roof slightly inward and they seemed to fit the contour of the roof better.
Well, if you look at GregsSD picture of his factory installed lights, it appears that the 2 outer lamps are rotated inwards slightly, or maybe they look like that because they are not parallel to the windshield rubber, and they are actually facing straight forwards. I think most people make the lamps parallel to the windshield rubber, which tips the 2 outer lights outward, and then evidently, you wind up with a space under the lamp.
RIDE RED, Let us know how your lamps fit the contour of the roof, and if your 2 end lamps are straight forward, or tipped outwards. I am going to do mine in the spring, and I would like mine to sit flat without having to do any shimming.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 95
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From: Peoria AZ
Rongold,Got the lights installed on sunday & it took me about 6 hours by myself & 1 8' ladder.I used the measurements that you & GREG posted.I also removed the domelamp,the center grab handles & pulled out the center piller post trim to let the headliner hang lower so it wouldn't get a crease in it.Mounted all 5 lights strait foward.Used a 7/8 unibit for the center hole 5" from the windshield.I made a "cheesy" template from the box the lights come in for the 2 1/4" mounting holes.Working around the headliner "sucked ***"! NOT ONE OF MY LIGHTS SIT FLUSH WITH THE ROOF!!! The center light & 2 lights on drivers side have a 2mm or so gap at the rear of the light,the 2 on the other side have the gap in the front.The nuts are tight.Whats wierd is I can push down on any light & it will be flush.I think the foam gasket is pushing up the light.It was late & cold so I had to put the truck back together to go to work on monday.I'm going to take off a light & remove the foam gasket & see how it fits.Either my 2 mounting holes are off a little or the foam gasket needs trimmed.Has anyone else had this problem with the factory ford clearance lights??? They look great & I want them to fit perfect!!!