2003 roof running lights

timowen1 · April 21, 2005

I bought a set of running lights from Cabelas. $77 with shipping. I went to my local GMC dealer to measure exact light positions on a truck in their lot. I heard the lights from Cabelas looked a lot like the GM factory installed. To my suprise they are the exact same light. I know you can get them for $55 as an option if you order your truck but I bought mine new off the lot. They were not on the truck and the dealer wanted about $350 for the lights and installation, no charge. This was to be a favor type job since I bought the truck from them. I was told that through the parts department that the three lights and harness alone were about $350. How (or why)do they charge so much when it is only a $55 option to start with??????

Anyway... My question.

Has anyone installed their own lights and what wire in the headlight switch will I splice into to get the lights to come on? The instructions only tell you to splice into to headlight switch but do not give a wire color. Is there a place in the fuse panel to connect the wire. By the way the supplied wire has an inline fuse. Or is there a place to connect the wire into the switch were the factory running light harness would go? I have not yet tried to install the lights. That is a Saturday job. So I have not yet seen the switch to know.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. If I can figure out how to post pics I will take one of the final installation.

Thanks

Tim

lrymal · April 21, 2005

Go here for some messages on this back in 2003:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=roof+lights

timowen1 · April 21, 2005

Go here for some messages on this back in 2003:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...&hl=roof+lights

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Thanks for the info. I know this will make the job go smoothly. I can see from the posts in the past that the GMC dealership was giving me a screwing along with the "favor" installation. Looks like the parts are only about $135. They quoted me $55 each for side lights $155 for center light and $85 for harness. I thought the prices sounded a little high. They were wanting to regain a little $$$ back from me. I bought GMS and probably paid less for the truck than the dealer. I know GM gives them money for making the deal. OH well...

Lights go on in two days. I'll take pics.

Thanks again.

Tim

Silverado4x4 · April 21, 2005

I have installed 5 sets of them on my two differant trucks and friends of mine, I ran the hot wire through the fire wall and spliced into the drivers side parking lamp wire (used a volt meter to find the right one) but do yourself a favor and run a bead of sylicone around each light gasket that sets on the roof to prevent leaks and after you finsh the install get some black touch-up paint and dab it on the screw heads to stop them from rusting, but I think when I get some time and when I think about it iam going to take the original screws out and replace them with stainless screws. And another thing, I pulled the light bulbs out and put some bulb grease inside each light socket to prevent corrosion (just to be on the safe side).

KENWORTH-1 · April 21, 2005

timowen1,

I would advise you to get the harness, it makes the job much easier. As, it plugs right into the access panel on the passenger side.

Here is a picture of where I put mine. Be careful when drilling the holes, the roof is as thin as a soda can ..very easy to dent in.

Measure, Measure and remeasure before drilling the first hole, as you cannot redo it again.

timowen1 · April 21, 2005

timowen1,

I would advise you to get the harness, it makes the job much easier. As, it plugs right into the access panel on the passenger side.

Here is a picture of where I put mine. Be careful when drilling the holes, the roof is as thin as a soda can ..very easy to dent in.

Measure, Measure and remeasure before drilling the first hole, as you cannot redo it again.

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Kenworth-1

In the picture I see about 5 harnesses pluged in, all different colors. Which on is for the lights. I only have room in my connection block on passenger side for 1 plug-in and it seems to be blank(no electrical connection) I seen on a past post that someone calls out a harness part number with about a $20 cost. My local dealer is still quoting me about $85. What did you pay for yours and do you still have the harness part number?

Thanks

Tim

KENWORTH-1 · April 21, 2005

The Harness # is 15366160, this was for an 02 HD..so, I dont know if, this is the same number you would need for the 03...I dont remember the price, however, you can look it up at one of the Vendors who sponsor this site...If, I recall, it was not that high, but, I would have paid anything not to splice or cut wires. The plug with the two wires coming out is the one for the harness. The Lights look great at night!

lrymal · April 21, 2005

The Harness # is 15366160, this was for an 02 HD..so, I dont know if, this is the same number you would need for the 03...
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Definitely, get the harness. Just plugs in to the socket on the passenger side. Don't worry which socket, only one will fit. The part number is the same as above and can be had at http://www.partszoneonline.com/ for $27.67 with $18.54 shipping. Now look........ You don't HAVE to buy the harness but snip and hack into your $35,000 truck's wiring and build your own. But this harness not only plugs in but, also has push-ins to anchor it to the A-frame and roof. Prevents that on-again, off-again rattle that you can't figure out.

The lights can be found at several vendors, but I have used:

http://www.autobarn.net/rodi/higfivligkit.html

You know that any project requires some thinking, some commonsense, some trimming. Re-read the messages that we all hashed out a couple of years back. I have installed a few of these and the little boy in me still smiles when seeing those lights on the roof.

lrymal · April 21, 2005

Oh yeah, I forgot this one. Why go boring amber, how 'bout clear or smoked:

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...ndpost&p=304605

And, how could I have forgotten my favorite photo of roof lights. silverado3500's truck beauty!:

Jester4736w · April 22, 2005

IRYMAL... You've kinda got me thinkin about those clear ones for the forest green hd!

KENWORTH-1 · April 22, 2005

If, I'm not mistaken...Clear or Smoke Cab Lights are illegal on the road, if, lite up at night. Correct me if, I'm wrong, but, I'm pretty sure they are not allowed.

lrymal · April 22, 2005

If, I'm not mistaken...Clear or Smoke Cab Lights are illegal on the road, if, lite up at night. Correct me if, I'm wrong, but, I'm pretty sure they are not allowed.

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Certainly would be wrong if blue or red bulbs are installed in the clear. I'm not sure if only amber are allowed on the roof. That's a good point. I'd ask the DMV.

Jester4736w · April 22, 2005

Good, point... Thanks for bringing it to our attention, but they way i look at it, tinted windows are illegal and loud exhaust as well. If your willing to deal with the consequences just to have a nice look then thats up to you. Myself, i dont know, i'll have to think about it harder now that you brought that up.

dalez · April 23, 2005

I had cab lights put on at a local accessory shop and it appears they did a great job. I made sure they used a lot of silicone. The total bill was $145 it took them 2hours to do. they look assume and really set the truck off.

2001 2500hd 8.1

dbunn · April 23, 2005

timowen1,

I would advise you to get the harness, it makes the job much easier. As, it plugs right into the access panel on the passenger side.

Here is a picture of where I put mine. Be careful when drilling the holes, the roof is as thin as a soda can ..very easy to dent in.

Measure, Measure and remeasure before drilling the first hole, as you cannot redo it again.

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Kenworth-1

In the picture I see about 5 harnesses pluged in, all different colors. Which on is for the lights. I only have room in my connection block on passenger side for 1 plug-in and it seems to be blank(no electrical connection) I seen on a past post that someone calls out a harness part number with about a $20 cost. My local dealer is still quoting me about $85. What did you pay for yours and do you still have the harness part number?

Thanks

Tim

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Kenworth1,

The picture of the junction block there - what all is that used for - besides the roof lights?