Dome Light Help

[SCOTI]

Would anyone happen to have a pic of the dome light opening sheetmetal on a 81-87 single cab?

My crew cab had 2 dome lights (center of roof & back cab wall). They were installed w/low (no?) concerns for craftsmanship. I'm retrofitting a pair of OE dome lights & I'm curious how the sheetmetal is shaped to get a better understanding of how to proceed.

Anyone have a pic of this or possibly can take a pic of their bare cab wall @ this area?

[SCOTI]

Bump.....

Anybody?

[Don SC]

Here's a pic of the dome light opening in my 87 R10. The brown color around the hole isn't rust- it's adhesive from the headliner. The new headliner came with a hole cut for the light fixture. I bought the headliner from Chris Lucas, who is a frequent contributor to this site and owns his own site-www.73-87chevytrucks.com, which is a sister site to this one

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Don SC

Here's a pic of the dome light opening in my 87 R10. The brown color around the hole isn't rust- it's adhesive from the headliner. The new headliner came with a hole cut for the light fixture. I bought the headliner from Chris Lucas, who is a frequent contributor to this site and owns his own site-www.73-87chevytrucks.com, which is a sister site to this one

I know Chris & he's def a good guy so you can't go wrong there....

As for your pic, is the opening flat (even) w/the surrounding sheet metal surface or is the area 'raised' slightly where the screw retaining clips attach? The center dome light opening for my CC is raised so that's what drives the question.

A BIG thanks for your assistance!

[Don SC]

Hmm... flat or raised.... I can't remember. Seems like it was flat. Big help, huh?

[Chevy3+3]

The metal itself is flat but is contoured. You can see the light hanging in the pic has a curved mounting plate. But the metal where the clips are is flat.

[Don SC]

That's a pretty good explaination 3+3 !

[SCOTI]

Thanks.

The LMC replacements are both flat & there's no opening on my CC's roof so that should help move forward.

[Don SC]

There are LED bulbs available now. The regular bulb, a 211-2, gets pretty hot. I just ordered a new LED from that company, and then found out that AutoZone carries them.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Don SC

There are LED bulbs available now. The regular bulb, a 211-2, gets pretty hot. I just ordered a new LED from that company, and then found out that AutoZone carries them.

Yes sir, thanks for the heads up & it's why I'm putting fresh parts back in (in addition to the lights that were in there were just butt ugly). There was evidence on both center & rear lights of excess heat to the point of melting the plastic + evidence of charring.

New OE style housings & some type of LED bulb that creates less heat is the plan.

[KQQL IT]

And any color you want.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by KQQL IT

And any color you want.

Nope.... There's only 1 choice for me

I removed 'mood' lighting from the thing when I assumed ownership (the first mods done: remove the 8 interior mood lights/lamps & cut the cowboy chrome tips off the exhaust).

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Don SC

There are LED bulbs available now. The regular bulb, a 211-2, gets pretty hot. I just ordered a new LED from that company, and then found out that AutoZone carries them.

So I went looking locally for LED replacements for the 211-2 dome bulb & haven't had any luck (Pep Boys, OReillys, & AutoZone).

The only thing I could find was a bulb that consisted of a single row of 4 individual LED's. It was advertised as 10x brighter than a 'traditional' bulb but that comparison must be to a traditional bulb that's not plugged in.

My direct comparison of the traditional bulb vs the 1 & only LED replacement I found is the traditional might not be as 'bright' but it does offer more overall light vs that 1x4 arrangement. Seems more LED's will be required for improvement.

Any suggestions or specific recommendations?

[Don SC]

The 211-2 bulb was melting my housing. They do get hot! So I'm going to use the LED bulb. I"m having trouble finding a new clear plastic lens tho. When I use the original lens it won't let the LED light thru and the cab is too dark. So I've removed the lens until I can find a clear one.
I thought I saw one one on Autozone's site a few days ago, but now I can't find it...

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by Don SC

The 211-2 bulb was melting my housing. They do get hot! So I'm going to use the LED bulb. I"m having trouble finding a new clear plastic lens tho. When I use the original lens it won't let the LED light thru and the cab is too dark. So I've removed the lens until I can find a clear one.
I thought I saw one one on Autozone's site a few days ago, but now I can't find it...

The ones I found listed on Autozones sight the other night were like in this pic. But when I went to the nearest store, they only had the single 1x4 bulb.