Correct holes for cargo lamp and switch mounting

[Dave M]

Reproduction parts are available. Here's a few I found straight up.

https://www.classicparts.com/mobile/1973-91-Cargo-Lamp-Harness/productinfo/52-811/

https://www.cjponyparts.com/cargo-lamp-switch-black-chevrolet-c10-1975-1991/p/CLS3/

https://www.lmctruck.com/lighting/cargo

 

[Dave M]

I was thinking it's gonna be a bit of a pain to fish those wires, so I can see why they likely made the hole so big on the back of the cab; mine actually did have a cargo lamp sorta installed with just those three holes in the cab. And yes, I could still use those measurements. Much appreciated!

How about a length of curtain wire to pull the wiring through?

 

[Ellie Niner]

How about a length of curtain wire to pull the wiring through?

That's actually a good idea. My regular fish tape (I played an electrician in a previous life) is a bit too stiff for the job. Once I finalize measurements and make the holes, I'll get to stuffing that wire through. I do most of my work at night, so looking forward to being able to see in my bed after dark.

 

[Raider L]

@Dave M,

I've been thinking about doing this to my truck for some time now. All very interesting info. I thank you all as well. Yeah, that build sheet would be nice. Do you remember where on Ebay you found it? I'll look in my factory maint. manual and see what it has, if anything, on this light. Also, there is this sites "library" and I can look there.

 

[Dave M]

@Dave M,

I've been thinking about doing this to my truck for some time now. All very interesting info. I thank you all as well. Yeah, that build sheet would be nice. Do you remember where on Ebay you found it? I'll look in my factory maint. manual and see what it has, if anything, on this light. Also, there is this sites "library" and I can look there.

Hi Raider,
it was part of an ebay listing for the actual cargo lamp. I looked it up and found it for you, the seller does have high expectations!
I'm not a computer guru, but is it possible for someone better versed than I, to put this sort of info into a/the reference library?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/223520497067?hash=item340adc1dab:g:TZMAAOSwjQ5c3x2-

 

[mtbadbob]

I was thinking it's gonna be a bit of a pain to fish those wires, so I can see why they likely made the hole so big on the back of the cab; mine actually did have a cargo lamp sorta installed with just those three holes in the cab. And yes, I could still use those measurements. Much appreciated!

So, you should be able to go 7/8" above the screw mounting holes, and up to 1/2" below them, and up to 3-1/2" wide between the screw holes. The OEM gasket & cargo light base should cover them just fine, although the factory hole looks a bit smaller. I'm sure you already deduced that fishing from the cargo light down is the only way to do it due to the light socket! I used a doubled piece of tie wire to fish mine and just taped the harness to it to pull it through. You can reach your arm up into the upper cab area to switch location from below, just has some sharp sh*t in there!

 

[mtbadbob]

@Dave M,

I've been thinking about doing this to my truck for some time now. All very interesting info. I thank you all as well. Yeah, that build sheet would be nice. Do you remember where on Ebay you found it? I'll look in my factory maint. manual and see what it has, if anything, on this light. Also, there is this sites "library" and I can look there.

I have a decent OEm cargo light, gasket & lense if your interested. I know LMC sells new repop stuff also, I just don't need it anymore & HATE to throw it away! Lmk...

 

[Ellie Niner]

Okay. Just wanted to bump this one more time to see if anyone can grab the measurements of that rectangular hole in the back of the cab. I know I can extrapolate it from the picture, but quick 'n' easy is even better.

Just need to make this cut then fish the wire, and there will be light.

 

[HOTFOOT]

My 80 gmc 3/8 holes 4” c/c center hole 5/8x 2 5/8 and the screw is a ground

 

[Ellie Niner]

My 80 gmc 3/8 holes 4” c/c center hole 5/8x 2 5/8 and the screw is a ground

Right on. Thank you for taking the time to do that!

 

[Ellie Niner]

Finally got the project finished up a few days ago... Wasn't able to completely erase the hole the prior owner poked in the back of the cab, but the cargo light body does, thankfully.

 

[akchevrolet]

looks good.

 

[Ellie Niner]

looks good.

Thank ya!

 

[Joshua Keith]

@Ellie Niner where’d you get that bolt kit and the PCs the bolts screw into? Do those PCs just get placed in the holes then they expand once something is screwed into it?

 

[AuroraGirl]

@Ellie Niner where’d you get that bolt kit and the PCs the bolts screw into? Do those PCs just get placed in the holes then they expand once something is screwed into it?

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