Cargo Lights

[WeymouthZ71]

Does anyone know if you can replace the bulbs in the cargo light so it will shine brighter into the bed. I really need more light.

Thanks guys.

[kdm101]

I wouldn't advise it. The third brake light/cargo light housing is all plastic, and it is also the only thing keeping water from getting in your cab. That's a direct hole into the roof liner in the cab (with a weather seal around it of course). Putting in brighter bulbs would run the risk of melting the plastic.

 

 

Now, I have thought about installing lights underneath the bed rails since I have a tonneau and the rear cargo light is completely useless then anyway. It shouldn't be difficult to find a way to tap those lights into the same circuit that powers the rear cargo light so as not to require installing ugly "aftermarket" switches on the dash, although I have some really cool rockers installed in the overhead console.

 

[firefighteremt3100]

I wouldn't advise it.  The third brake light/cargo light housing is all plastic, and it is also the only thing keeping water from getting in your cab.  That's a direct hole into the roof liner in the cab (with a weather seal around it of course).  Putting in brighter bulbs would run the risk of melting the plastic.

 

 

Now, I have thought about installing lights underneath the bed rails since I have a tonneau and the rear cargo light is completely useless then anyway.  It shouldn't be difficult to find a way to tap those lights into the same circuit that powers the rear cargo light so as not to require installing ugly "aftermarket" switches on the dash, although I have some really cool rockers installed in the overhead console. 

 

 

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Those are really cool where did you get those? How Much? Did the face plate come with it?

[slemmer]

I wouldn't advise it.  The third brake light/cargo light housing is all plastic, and it is also the only thing keeping water from getting in your cab.  That's a direct hole into the roof liner in the cab (with a weather seal around it of course).  Putting in brighter bulbs would run the risk of melting the plastic.

 

 

Now, I have thought about installing lights underneath the bed rails since I have a tonneau and the rear cargo light is completely useless then anyway.  It shouldn't be difficult to find a way to tap those lights into the same circuit that powers the rear cargo light so as not to require installing ugly "aftermarket" switches on the dash, although I have some really cool rockers installed in the overhead console. 

 

 

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Those are really cool where did you get those? How Much? Did the face plate come with it?

 

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Yes, they do look factory! Do tell where I can get a set. I can relocate my fog light switches there too.

[kdm101]

Thanks for the compliments.

 

The switches are the Contura V series from Carling. I bought them from a company

called Parts Express, but I can no longer find them in their catalog. I'm fairly sure that it was a close out. I only bought the 4 of them and wish I had more now. It was a great price too as I got all 4 for only $11, and that's the regular price for just one anywhere else.

 

As far as the panel, I simply popped out the factory blank cover plate in there. I sawed off the front of it leaving about 1/4" of the actual rim, then glued a heavy piece of flat plastic to the rim. After the glue set, I cut out the openings with my dremel, cleaned it all up and then painted it. It's not an exact match, and the camera flash shows that. There was plenty of room behind that panel for these big switches and the wiring.

 

After the panel was made, I simply made up a "harness" of my own to feed in 12V power for the indicator lights on the switch and for relay control, a ground, and 4 individual lines to go to those mentioned relays. The wires themselves run as a bundle over the headliner to the left A piller, then down to under the dash. I fed some of the wires through the factory grommet (that was a pain the A**!). Two are just tied up under the dash for future accessories in the cab. The relays will actually power the accessory in question, so the wiring to the switches was fairly light guage - I think it was 18ga I used. So far, I've only used one switch for rear bumper mounted lights.

[hvac1000]

You can get those switches from a boat supply house. They are marine style switches.

[Tahoe2]

You can get those switches from a boat supply house. They are marine style switches.

 

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Yes,they are.My bass tracker boat has em. They look great in the cab.

[WeymouthZ71]

So a brighter bulb would melt the plastic? It is that much diffrent? What about a diffrent color, much like the super white head lamps? Thank you for your imput. I do like you set up with those switches. I work on an ambulance and those are the same switches we use for our emergency lights.

[firefighteremt3100]

Thanks for the compliments.

 

The switches are the Contura V series from Carling.  I bought them from a company

called Parts Express, but I can no longer find them in their catalog.  I'm fairly sure that it was a close out.  I only bought the 4 of them and wish I had more now.  It was a great price too as I got all 4 for only $11, and that's the regular price for just one anywhere else.

 

As far as the panel, I simply popped out the factory blank cover plate in there.  I sawed off the front of it leaving about 1/4" of the actual rim, then glued a heavy piece of flat plastic to the rim.  After the glue set, I cut out the openings with my dremel, cleaned it all up and then painted it.  It's not an exact match, and the camera flash shows that.  There was plenty of room behind that panel for these big switches and the wiring. 

 

After the panel was made, I simply made up a "harness" of my own to feed in 12V power for the indicator lights on the switch and for relay control, a ground, and 4 individual lines to go to those mentioned relays.  The wires themselves run as a bundle over the headliner to the left A piller, then down to under the dash.  I fed some of the wires through the factory grommet (that was a pain the A**!).  Two are just tied up under the dash for future accessories in the cab.  The relays will actually power the accessory in question, so the wiring to the switches was fairly light guage - I think it was 18ga I used.  So far, I've only used one switch for rear bumper mounted lights.

 

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Dumb question. But every truck and tahoe I've seen has a "cubby hole" up there where your switches are. I didn't know they had a cover plate option as well. Makes sense though I suppose. I'll have to look around for switches like that. I thought about mounting a speaker up there connected to my scanner but I may have to change my plans thanks to you Again great job.

[chris_kucia]

I wonder if there isn't a compatible white LED bulb that might be used.

 

Those bulbs generate practically no heat, and they are much more efficient so you might not have to worry about overburdening the harness and fuse.

 

If there aren't any direct replacement, you might be able to make one yourself. Pretty much just involves soldering and potentially encaseing the LEDs in some sort of clear resin.

 

If you were careful about the orientation, you could "point" the LED's at a 90 degree angle so they all shone directly out through the lens (I'm assuming the existing bulb is just a standard round glass bulb with a filament).

[Mad Mac]

What is the designation of the bulb that is in there now? 1156, 3156 or what?

 

 

 

Does anyone know if you can replace the bulbs in the cargo light so it will shine brighter into the bed.  I really need more light.

Thanks guys.

 

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[chris_kucia]

What is the designation of the bulb that is in there now? 1156, 3156 or what?

 

 

 

 

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According to Sylvania's site, its a 912 - trunk/cargo on a 2000 Sierra.

[chris_kucia]

What is the designation of the bulb that is in there now? 1156, 3156 or what?

 

 

 

 

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According to Sylvania's site, its a 912 - trunk/cargo on a 2000 Sierra.

 

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Here's one in LED

 

http://www.eautoworks.com/html/productsord...urce=SubProduct

 

IIRC, two are required for the cargo light.

[SIERRA2005]

I tried LED in the passanger compartment 2005 Sierra crewcab, the Map lights with out good results. They were less bright the the factory. You can find the lights on the internet under LED. Truck load of information. Then look for them on e-bay.

You'll find them pretty cheep. Cheep enough to buy and try. Anyhow. The difference in styles are to many to discuss here. I went to a marine store and found a good set the is flush mont that stuck to my bed liner under the Hard Tonaue cover. Lights pretty good for spotting things in the dark. You won't be able to read by them but it is low voltage incase you forget to turn off. Here is a start on your research of site.

 

http://www.superbrightleds.com/led_prods.htm