Register now to get rid of these ads!

Mounting Spot Lights???

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by ShortyLaVen, Apr 10, 2011.

  1. ShortyLaVen
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 681

    ShortyLaVen
    Member

    I did a few searches, trying different terms and such, but came up with nothing. Anyways, I have a set of Unity spots I want to mount on my car, but I have no idea how to go about doing so. Wheres the best place to drill the holes, how do I position the handle on the inside, etc....

    Thanks in advance for the advice!!
     
  2. Brad54
    Joined: Apr 15, 2004
    Posts: 6,021

    Brad54
    Member
    from Atl Ga

    There are templates for specific cars that show exact placement.

    You'll also need a long drill bit (like, a foot long). I used a stubby 1/2-inch bit and a foot long length of 1/2-inch rod and made my own drill bit for the spots on my '61 Suburban.

    I've got templates for a lot of different cars for sale... send me a PM.

    -Brad
     
  3. ShortyLaVen
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 681

    ShortyLaVen
    Member

    Why does the drill bit need to be so long? Again, I've never done this before... I was planning on mounting them to the windshield post. Is there a better location, generally? They're goin in my 53 Packard.
     
  4. appaRATus
    Joined: Oct 25, 2005
    Posts: 134

    appaRATus
    Member

    Unity lights for a 53 Packard mount onto the door, they use the mount numbers 42L and 42R I am not sure which shaft you will need but I will see what info I can find for you.
     
  5. ShortyLaVen
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 681

    ShortyLaVen
    Member

    Sweet! Thank u very much! That actually makes a lot of sense the they go on the door... Plus it doesn't involve drilling through the stainless. I have a bunch of other spots in storage I can scavenge for the right mount and shaft... Thanks again!
     
  6. historynw
    Joined: May 26, 2008
    Posts: 806

    historynw
    Member

    I'd go to the http://www.unityusa.com/ website to make sure you have the right lights for the Packard. There are differences and you don't want holes where there shouldn't be ones. They can help.
     
  7. myblue68
    Joined: Apr 10, 2011
    Posts: 8

    myblue68
    Member

    The long drill bits are for when the mount is on the top of the cowl, like on a Pickup, where you have to drill through a foot on sheet metal innerstructure on my 72" F-250 i wish i would have had the bit, cause it took a long time to get it cut without it. It will be alot easier to do the door mounts.
     
  8. <FANG>
    Joined: Feb 7, 2008
    Posts: 530

    <FANG>
    Member
    from W.L.A.

  9. Brad54
    Joined: Apr 15, 2004
    Posts: 6,021

    Brad54
    Member
    from Atl Ga

    Also, you need to make sure the hole in the outer sheetmetal panel and the one on the inner panel line up. To do this, you locate and mount the outside bracket, then use it as a drill guide and continue on through the inner panel--this ensures the two holes line up, and is why you need the long drill bit.

    The shaft is usually at an angle--it's generally not straight through the door (or fender/cowl area).

    I was told that some spotlight shafts are 19 inches long for certain vintage applications! On my '54 Buick, the light mounts on the fender and runs through the firewall and the dash.

    And keep in mind that if you get the location wrong, the handle can interfere with the glove box door, turn signal handle, headlight switch, etc. etc.
    -Brad
     
  10. Ya gotta have at least close to the correct shaft length too. We always used the long bit also.
     
  11. ShortyLaVen
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 681

    ShortyLaVen
    Member

    Kool! Thanks for all the help! I'll try to find a template (ones from Unity are a tad pricey for my budget) and post pics when I do it.

    Whats the best way to dress up the hole on the inside of the door? a rubber grommet or something similar?
     
  12. appaRATus
    Joined: Oct 25, 2005
    Posts: 134

    appaRATus
    Member

    Most inside brackets are the same for a lot of cars, you can use just about any head with the size shaft you need for your application as long as you stay with all S or H heads and shafts. As for the handle the same goes for them, if you use a S head you need a S shaft and handle or a H head and shaft with H handle, I hope this makes sense, if you find a head with a mirror you can adjust your mirror without rolling down your window (in the winter or rain). Watch ebay, if you are not in a hurry you can peice togather the light or lights you need really cheap.
     
  13. ShortyLaVen
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 681

    ShortyLaVen
    Member

    That makes a lot of sense, and is very helpful, too, as the set I was planning on using are S6, and was wondering if they'd interchange with a set of H1 (I think? Smaller diameter....) I also have. I assume this means I can't... Is it hard to change between the two styles once one is mounted?
     
  14. appaRATus
    Joined: Oct 25, 2005
    Posts: 134

    appaRATus
    Member

    After re reading my post I think I might have given you the wrong info.
    You should be able to use H1 or S6 on the same shaft, the mount and shaft are what you need to match up to your make of vehicle.
    Yes you can change it out once it has been mounted, just make sure the circuit is disconnected so you don't blow a bulb or fuse.

    Personally I like the old H1 styles with the mirror, I just have installed one on my 55 Rocket and I get a lot of comments on it. When I get a break I will post a pic of it,. I also did it all for under $100 bucks by taking my time and getting all the parts when I found a good deal on them. I found a 12" bit at the local flea market for a buck, the light at a swap meet for 25 and I had the correct shaft, the mount cost me 50 bucks and I have found that that is usually where most of the cost is.
     
  15. Brad54
    Joined: Apr 15, 2004
    Posts: 6,021

    Brad54
    Member
    from Atl Ga

    Absolutely correct.
    There are both exterior and interior brackets.
    I found a set of brackets for the passenger side on my '61 Suburban, and was thrilled to get them--it came with the whole light assembly.
    Then I found another correct light, shaft and handle, and started hunting for the passenger side brackets. Found them for $145. If people got spot lights, it was rare. When they did, it was almost always a single spot on the driver's side. To find the passenger side for a '60-'63 Chevy/GMC truck was a rare thing, so I was happy to pay for it.
    Now I've got dual factory spotlights on my '61 Suburban.

    If you start hunting around, you'll find the part numbers for your specific application, and then you can hunt the correct brackets.

    -Brad
     
  16. ShortyLaVen
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 681

    ShortyLaVen
    Member

    I know this is an old thread, but I have a few more questions...

    Before I could get started on anything spot light related a lot of othet things went wrong with the car that needed fixing first... You all know how it goes. LOL!

    Anyways, I have a bunch of mounts for the spot lights I plan to use, but none that are the 42 that I need... Have any of you had any luck using a different but similar mount than is for the car?
     
  17. appaRATus
    Joined: Oct 25, 2005
    Posts: 134

    appaRATus
    Member

Share This Page

Register now to get rid of these ads!

Archive

Copyright © 1995-2021 The Jalopy Journal: Steal our stuff, we'll kick your teeth in. Terms of Service. Privacy Policy.

Atomic Industry
Forum software by XenForo™ ©2010-2014 XenForo Ltd.