new style cab lights

tboat · March 22, 2003

Anybody had any experience installing the new style GM cab lights on a Silverado. I had a dealer lined up to do the install for $100 but when he saw they were the new style with the square hole expanders he wouldn't touch them. The problem is I own the lights but not sure on the installation. I wish the idiot would have told me before I bought the lights.

Stepside Z · March 22, 2003

I know that some guys have done it themselves and hopefully they will give you the help you seek.

Stomper · March 22, 2003

You must have gotten the your lights through GM Parts. I just started to install a set on my '03 1500HD tonight. I didn't get the job done, but will finish up Sat.. The lights I got are made by Pacer Performance, they are OEM look alikes. But you don't have to have a square hole. So it makes the job pretty straight forward, just grit your teeth and start drilling.

tboat · March 22, 2003

Stomper:

I sent you an e-mail. I am looking for any wisdom you can offer on the installation. You are right, I have the GM parts with no directions. Thanks for your help.

kshuart · March 22, 2003

Come on guys, don't hold good information like that just between the 2 of you. I've got a set of Factory GM ones that I need to install one of these days too. Just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Thanks.

lrymal · March 22, 2003

Come on guys, don't hold good information like that just between the 2 of you. I've got a set of Factory GM ones that I need to install one of these days too. Just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Thanks.

No kidding. I'd like to know this also. Don't hide the facts.

For example, I'm curious about how to route the harness. Does the headliner have to be pulled to get to the routing. Would removing the roof center cubby pocket thingee or overhead console be all that is needed?

Stomper · March 23, 2003

Well I got it done, everything went great. Had no problems at all, and they look great.

* First I got measurements off my dads 03 2500HD.

* I placed the lights on the roof in the location that I measured out.

* I used a small spring loaded center punch and marked all the holes.(a scratch awl would work too)

* Then the fun part, drilled the holes.(not sure on the size I can check if I need too)

* I put a little dab of this black rubberized stuff we have here(not sure what its called) on each hole before screwing the light down.(i didn't use the plastis square spacers, i think their only their so you don't over tighten the screws and crack the light)

* Remove both sunvisors and clips, remove overhead console, remove the oh s*%t handle above passenger door and pull out on the top of the trim pieces on both A-pillers.(that should make it so you can pull down on the front of the head liner. you only need it down enough to get your hands in their to splice the wires that you put through the roof)

* Splice in all three wires and run the wire down the drivers side A-Piller and up under the dash. Theirs a circuit box just left of the brake pedal, it has a plastic cover held on by a plastic nut. In their is where I hooked my lights. I think thats where the factory harness is suposed to get hooked up. If you look under the cover you took off theirs one stop that says (HDLNR 2/6-WAY/CRM). In that spot the lower right pin is is the power for the parking lights

* Put everthing you took off back on and you should be done.

Hope this helps its hard to put done in words. If you need anymore details let me know.

kshuart · March 23, 2003

Thanks for all of the details. Looks like working up the courage to drill into my new truck will be the hardest part. I got the GM wiring harness with my lights and it had a connector on the end of it, so I went to the local dealer and asked him if I could check out one of the trucks on the lot with the lights. I found the connector on the right side of the dash. Open the passengers door and pull off the cover, it will be right there (same place as the fuse panel on the left). There are a few other plugs in there too. Looks like the factory actually runs the harness down the passengers A arm. Probably should have measured the truck while I was there too, but I didn't.

So you actually drilled and mounted the lights before you pulled the headliner down??

lrymal · March 23, 2003

Awesome instructions, y'all!!!!! Thanks. Looks like I have my work cut out for me.

Shotgun · March 23, 2003

Thats good info.....I think I may order a set for Big Red.Where do I get them? I checked GM parts but couldn't find them........Gun

lrymal · March 23, 2003

Thats good info.....I think I may order a set for Big Red.Where do I get them? I checked GM parts but couldn't find them........Gun

I think I can help on that. Here's some GM part numbers. Note that there are two outside lamp assemblies and one center assembly. This info comes from GM Parts Direct and reflects their discount which is almost 50%. I have no idea what the shipping cost is:

15059751 - LAMP $37.26 Center Lamp

15059752 - LAMP $37.26 Side Lamp (need two)

15366160 - HARNESS $19.40

Here is an alternate kit from PACER sold via Auto Barn. Perhaps there are other distributors, including JC Whitney. This kit is $69.00 with a $7.00 shipping charge:

High Five Running Light Kit PAC20-240 $69

http://shop.store.yahoo.com/rodi/higfivligkit.html

For the most part, all I'm doing is getting info from previous posts, and then reconfirming to make sure it is still current. I don't have the lamps, yet, myself! Sure want 'em though. Would love to know if the PACER units are quality lamp assemblies especially since they LOOK the same, and are about 1/2 the cost of the GM Parts Direct price.

kshuart · March 23, 2003

From what I found, the center lamp part number has changed to a 15174671, but the price is the same. The rest of the part numbers are correct from what I have been able to find. Not sure what they changed about it either. The GM harness has the plug that goes directly into the dash, and has 3 connectors on it the plug directly into the factory lights. No splicing needed. It also comes with all of the plastic "Christmas Trees" on it, so you don't have loose wires rattling around.

Stomper · March 23, 2003

Glad to here I could help. Yes I mounted all the lights before lowering the head liner. When drilling just make sure you don't let the drill bit bite and take you all the way in or you my end up with a hole in your head liner. What I did was cut or snap the drill bit off so you only have about 1/2" of bit out the end of your drill.

Pacer is who made my lights that I got them from Autobarn for $69+shipping. The lights are as close as you could get to the OEM lights. I compared them to my dads and you can't tell any deference. They look to be real good quailty. For $69 compared to GMs price you can't go wrong.

lrymal · March 23, 2003

Thanks for the information regarding the Pacer quality. :thumb: That's a big help.

tboat · March 23, 2003

If you are still looking for more information on the light installation, check out this link: http://forum.thedieselpage.com/ubb....=002516

I am going to give it a go next weekend. I have the GM parts but I am going to leave off the square inserts. A lot of guys have done this with success.