cargo light/ 3rd brake light install

[mxer147]

What’s hiding behind the vertical panel between roof line and rear window. I’d be bummed if I created extra repairs if I drilled in the wrong spots. Any pics available of the factory installation holes? I’m installing a newer led light, not the factory original.

 

[TotalyHucked]

That seam is where the back cab panel and roof panel pinch weld together. So that flange goes straight inward and is about 3/4" wide. Then there's the inner roof structure a little over 1" from the back cab panel. I've thought about doing this myself but not sure I've got the balls

 

[Grit dog]

What’s hiding behind the vertical panel between roof line and rear window. I’d be bummed if I created extra repairs if I drilled in the wrong spots. Any pics available of the factory installation holes? I’m installing a newer led light, not the factory original.

Do you have a dome light inside? You can see what’s back there. It’s not scary. Measure twice, cut and drill once.

 

[mxer147]

No dome light but I am planning to add one. I now have a headliner which I can use the cutout to locate the drill hole. I’m just not sure what’s behind it such as roof supporting sheet metal layer. There’s a groove on that outside surface and I’m unsure what’s behind it so I was hoping someone would share their experience. Thank you for the response Todd.

 

[mxer147]

No dome light but I am planning to add one as well. Not concerned about the dome light since I now have a headliner which I can use the cutout to locate the drill hole. For the cargo light I’m just not sure what’s behind the panel such as roof supporting sheet metal layer. That cab back exterior panel has a significant groove between the roof line and slider window which I’m not sure if a metal support is behind it. I realize most of the surface will get covered up by the cargo light but I definitely don’t want to drill more holes than are needed since it could be a water entry point.

 

[TotalyHucked]

Do you have a dome light inside? You can see what’s back there. It’s not scary. Measure twice, cut and drill once.

Lies. It's always scary to cut on your truck lol

 

[Grit dog]

^Ya for sure. Especially starting blind.
@mxer147 maybe someone can get you a pic of the openings. This is the best I got

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[Doppleganger]

Might have got this here awhile back - dunno. Looking for a pic I took of the hole for the cargo lamp in a yard.

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[Doppleganger]

Here they is. Thought about this myself but I just spent 2 yrs getting my roof skin fixed and after hitting my head 27 times (a few were accidents) am preparing to drill 15 holes in it for cab lights. That alone has me hesitant. The last pic is the inside dome light.

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[mxer147]

Thank you, thank you, thank you….these pics help immensely. When I drill and install, I will take pictures and post for others to see.

 

[mxer147]

Lies. It's always scary to cut on your truck lol

Especially when it’s already painted because I’ve done most of the restoration work in reverse order. I’m planning to create much smaller openings for those lights.

 

[Steelbuddha]

I might be inclined to use a surface-mounted fixture of some type, rather than going for the recessed original equipment design. It's not likely anybody would care about what the light itself looked like. That way you get away with maybe a 1/4" hole for wires and a couple of tiny screw holes, rather than trying to do surgery on the pinch weld and make it look factory. It's not like you'll be entering the Pebble Beach Concours, after all .

 

[Johnny Atomic]

mxer147 what kind of light are you going to use. I'd like to find a way to have cargo, 3rd Brake light, and backup camera in one unit.​

 

[quicksilver702]

Someone posted this long ago. I kept it for someday when I add my own.

 

[HOTFOOT]

This was my factory light!