Author Topic: roof work. how do u get between the inner and outer roof panels???  (Read 5979 times)

Offline usar17

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So my truck doesn't have a fancy foam headliner, I'm ok with that I have a quiet interior. I would like to mount cab clearance lights and a set off air horns of the roof. Is there a way to remove the inner roof panel for ease of wiring and mounting? Or is it welded together?

There are plugs on my roof for where the lights should be. But for the air horns I'd need access to bolt them down.
Shawn
===='85 Chevy Cowboy Cadillac====

1985 Chevrolet K-20 Silverado Long Bed
-5.7L V8 350TBI w/TH700R4

Offline bake74

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Re: roof work. how do u get between the inner and outer roof panels???
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2012, 06:34:33 am »
     If there is already plugs where the lights go, drill more holes for the air horn and use the same plugs like your other ones.  yes the inner roof is welded in.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline ehjorten

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Re: roof work. how do u get between the inner and outer roof panels???
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2012, 10:26:07 am »
You could use AVKs.  do a google search for them.  They are a nutsert that you can install from the outside to give you threads to bolt into.  We use them all over the place on our trucks at work.  You need to be sure you have enough depth to install them as they are longer when uninstalled, but pull up shorter when you install them.  I would recommend closed-end AVKs to ensure you don't have any water leaks.
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Offline mikek20

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Re: roof work. how do u get between the inner and outer roof panels???
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2012, 06:23:31 am »
I actually just got done doing this to my truck. I went and bought an aftermarket kit for a late 90s dodge ram with low profile smoked cab lights. I promise you its worth the. Fight, but it can be stressful. The inner roof panel does not come out, you have to do it blind. I actually laid all my lights out first, marked where i wanted them all, then marked where the holes are for the screws to hold them down. Each light contains 3 holes (1 big for wiring, and 2 small for screws).

If you have ever played hide and go seek in the dark, its kind of like that, (you are permanently it and the wires always are hiding) easiest way is to take out your visors, then run long flexible wire from passenger to driver side, feed wiring in through the driver hole visor. Attach last light to your wire and as you pull it through start fishing each light for each hole, but careful not to pull wrong one through wrong hole. Its easiest to start at an end.

Offline usar17

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Re: roof work. how do u get between the inner and outer roof panels???
« Reply #4 on: May 21, 2012, 03:58:19 pm »
well it looks like i had lights at one time or the option for them. There are like round metal caps where they would be. And it's rusting around them, hence i figured aftermarket patch. Was gonna try and pop them out.
Shawn
===='85 Chevy Cowboy Cadillac====

1985 Chevrolet K-20 Silverado Long Bed
-5.7L V8 350TBI w/TH700R4

Offline mikek20

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Re: roof work. how do u get between the inner and outer roof panels???
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2012, 06:06:06 pm »
Is the wiring still inside the roof? That would be. Piece of cake job if it was, just throw on some new lights.