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Old 01-30-2018, 05:29 PM   #193
likaroc13
Rollin' Old Skool
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Hattiesburg, MS
Posts: 5,371
Re: '97 Chevy Tahoe (2dr/2wd) mild custom

Quote:
Originally Posted by DZL1 View Post
Very nice! Might borrow your tag light idea...
Before you do, please follow along...I ended up running into some issues with the LED light I used for illuminating the license plate on the roll pan. The bolt ended up being a little too long. When test fitting I didn't realize this because I never completely tightened it down. I had to do some trimming on the original plastic bulb housing to try to make it sit flush. I got the wiring done between the LED & original harness, which I thought came out pretty good. When I got everything into place & began tightening down the light/lens, it wouldn't go down all the way. It was because the bolt was hitting the fiberglass on the back side. It wasn't extreme, so I thought I could remedy it by using my Dremel sanding tools to carve out a small section in the fiberglass. It looked like that might solve the problem. However, I tried tightening down the light/lens again & heard a slight cracking sound. I thought I had probably cracked the lens. However, I had caused a crack in the fiberglass. Apparently where I carved out the indention it got a bit too thin. As a result, I induced a small crack in the paint on the top side/lip of the roll pan. Luckily it's minor enough that most hopefully won't notice.

Still not having the clearance I needed, I decided to carefully cut off part of the bolt using my Dremel. It was either this or try to find another light. I looked on Superbright LED's website but didn't see another that would work any better. Rather than try to find another light & have to rewire everything again, I decided to try to make mine work. Cutting off the bolt end gave me just enough clearance, however, the wiring still sticks out close to the fiberglass though. I used silicone around the end of the wiring where the portion of the bolt was that I cut off. Seeing as how I still couldn't tighten the bulb/lens down completely flush, I opted for creating a thicker gasket behind the lens. I found a rubber gasket sheet used for plumbing & used the original foam gasket as a template. Once I got that trimmed & fit properly, it seemed to fill the gap I had between the lens & roll pan. While it doesn't sit as flush as it did originally, I think it will be completely fine. If something ever happens with this LED light, I'll try a different route next time.

First off, here's a link to the LED light that was used:
https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...ght/1494/3431/



Back side of the bolt/lens (before cutting):

IMG_2672 by likaroc13, on Flickr

After wiring was completed joining LED to original harness:

IMG_2673 by likaroc13, on Flickr

Original foam gasket/lens. Unfortunately, I didn't get a pic of the rubber one I created.

IMG_2674 by likaroc13, on Flickr
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Phillip

My Build threads:
1966 Chevy C-10 "Black Betty"

shortbed, fleetside, BBW, 327 V8/ Powerglide (under construction)
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ighlight=betty

1997 Chevy Tahoe, 2dr/2wd, mild custom (Daily driver)
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=601142

Pics:
'66 C-10 https://flic.kr/s/aHsjHWD4h9
'97 Tahoe https://flic.kr/s/aHsjGZ7wKP
'93 C-1500 https://flic.kr/s/aHskxdpdnQ
'88 S-10 Blazer https://flic.kr/s/aHsjYGx4Md

Previous Rides:
1993 Chevy S-10 ext. cab, 4.3L, 4/5 drop (Sold)
1993 Chevy C-1500 short/step Retro-Rod (Sold)
1988 S-10 Blazer 2dr/2wd mild custom (Sold)

Last edited by likaroc13; 01-31-2018 at 01:35 PM.
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