Roof lights on 3/4 ton trucks?

[gloriavoxdei]

I've noticed that all dually trucks have roof mounted cab lights but not all 3/4 tons do. What are the laws reguarding the lights and who has to have them?

[HowieE]

Not sure there is a law governing none commercial vehicles. My 3/4 ton Suburban has roof light. I think the reason is the truck came with a 1 ton suspension and the manufacture just includes them as part of the package.

[ScottW]

As far as I know they are options on both 3/4 and 1 ton and above trucks.

[CanoeStream]

My 3/4 ton Sierra is prewired for an auxiliary roof mounted lamp -- just looked at the manual and it seems principally because my truck has the RPO VYU snowplow prep package. The diagram shows the prewire coming up the curbside B-pillar and the looped wire laying on the headliner above the passenger's head (forward of the rib between the B-pillars).

Another benefit of the GM snowplow package is dual batteries -- twice as much to keep an eye on or replace, eh? I look on dual batteries as a positive though. [ getting far afield from the original question: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f449...ucks-3770.html ]

[SteveH]

I believe they are required on any truck with dual rear wheels because of the width. Same with the side clearance lights in the fenders of the duallys.

[Bambi_Bandit]

I believe they are required on all dual rear wheel trucks (both the roof clearance and the side clearance on the extended fenders). They are optional on 3/4 ton trucks with single rear wheels, but required on anything that is wider than 80 inches.

GM did put them on the 1/2 and 3/4 ton pickups and suburbans with Quadra-steer as well as on the rear renders. I think this was done to differentiate these units visually, as well as to note that the rear wheels did indeed extend out ever so slightly while engaged with the 4 wheel steering...

Roof clearance lights are good for visibility, and some like them for looks. I think it all started when roads were single lane and the clearance lights help distinguish the height and width of the vehicle, especially to oncoming traffic. Other than that, it does look cool at night...

Caution that some have leaked before...

[overlander63]

The 3/4 ton cab lights are an optioon. From what I've found, this was because "commercial vehicles" had cab lights, and most Home Owners Associations forbid parking "commercial vehicles" in the development. Without the cab lights, a 3/4 ton truck could be parked there, without running afoul of HOA restrictions.

[fltlevel510]

Vehicle lighting requirements are predicated on - Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 (FMVSS 108). I am sure you can do a google search to get a copy of the document if you enjoy reading extremely boring government documents. Bottom line any vehicle more than 80" wide require the clearance lights.

[Dwight]

Years ago, they were called "chicken lights". When you were driving down a 2-lane road at night and saw a truck coming with the clearance or "chicken" lights, it was like playing chicken with the truck to see if you could safely go by them.

[Mikethefixit]

Cab marker lites are an Option on 3/4 and 1 ton Pickups. I ask Why my 1 ton did not have them. I am reasonably sure they are not require until the vehicle reachs 10k GVW and or are licensed as a commerical vehicle. Google Federal Vehicles Lighting Standards.

[Minnie's Mate]

I am in the minority it seems. I didn't want them on either of the 3/4 ton trucks that I have or have owned. I thought it makes the truck look commercial and I didn't want that look for my truck. I guess it depends on individual taste. I also didn't want 4X4. I figured I wasn't going anywhere I would need 4X4 and we don't get enough snow in the Atlanta area to justify it.

[moosetags]

Actually, it is Federal Law that requires marker lights. on any motor vehicle that has a wheel track in excess of 80". That is why all dually pickups have the five ambers on the front roof, amber and red markers forward and aft on the rear axle, and three red markers on the rear of the vehicle.

The manufactures offer the option of the five roof ambers for single rear wheel 3/4 and 1 ton pickups. they are not required, even on 1 tons, unless they are duallys.

I found this out when I did some research after buying my first Quadrasteer Suburban 2500 a couple of years ago. A Quadrasteer Suburban comes standard with all the markers, roof, sides, and rear, as with a dually pickup. At first, I thought it was a marketing thing to make the Suburban look more buff. It turns out that that a Quadrasteer has a rear track that is 5" wider than the front track, and is 83", requiring the marker lights.

Brian

[bikefreak193]

Does anyone know the measurements for those amber cab lights for a ford?

[vswingfield]

Thanks for the information, Brian.

[silverleeper]

Originally Posted by bikefreak193

Does anyone know the measurements for those amber cab lights for a ford?

Take a look Here and Here. This should help.

[bikefreak193]

Do you know where i could get a free wiring diagram 4 a 1978 ford bronco

[silverleeper]

Try this 78 Ford truck wiring diagram. If that doesn't work try the public library. Library's have a good auto section that includes repair manuals.