Clearance lights on a Suburban? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

orvillespooner · 11-23-2005, 10:45 AM

Did GM ever put clearance lights on roofs of Suburbans in the '80's?
Since they are not required unless vehicle is over 80 inches wide I would think not. However I do see a lot of pickups with these lights lately. When towing a large boat for instance, as I do, they would add a nice safety feature, since there is no way to put the lights on a boat trailer high enough to do any good. Any photos?

**special-K** · 11-23-2005, 11:36 AM

The Cab clearance lights were an option for Suburban and all light trucks.Not ICC-required unless over 10,000 GVW.All the 30-series trucks came with them in this era along with the five clearance lights on the tailgate.GMnever offered them for the back of a Suburban,though.Is your`s a tailgate model?You could mimmick the pickup`s location.I guess you`d want them on the back of the roof for best visibility.

orvillespooner · 11-23-2005, 12:37 PM

Yes it is a tailgate model. I would not want the lights on rear. I would guess they would be under tailgate?
I am thinking of installing on roof, atop the raised area where the front of the roof rack would be if there was one. Three in the center, and two outers slightly rear of the others, following the raised roof line.
It is a more stylish placement, and it is the hightest area on the roof.
I tow a boat that is 9ft high, and the trailer is 25ft long. At night it would be safer to have some indication that there is some height and width behind me. Plus the lights would look good, I think. I see two pics of Suburbans w/the lights, one conventional at front of cab roof, and the other has them installed in a windshield visor.
I checked and the Federal DOT regs state that vehicles 80 inches or wider are required to have these to indicate width. That is why the dualie P/U trucks have them as well as flatbed comercial versions.

**special-K** · 11-25-2005, 08:50 AM

I see,I thought you were looking for better rear recognition.You`re right in thinking the clearance lights from the front are a safety benefit,especially when you are hauling and can`t stop like all the smaller vehicles that seems taken for granted by most people that drive them.
I`ve driven quite a few light trucks that had the cab lights and have added them to some that didn`t have them and I`ve noticed that people tend to think twice about yankin`out in front of you when they see the extra clearance lights.By the time you`re close enough for them to see you`re not a big truck,it`s too late for them to pull out.Great psychological defense.
BTW,I towed a 27'Shamrock cutty-cabin twice a year to Annapolis for several years.So I know your concern.

Robert1970C20rstbukt · 02-27-2006, 10:41 PM

Yes, these were optional on Suburbans. I saw a brown '84? 3/4 ton 4WD Burb with them, they were listed on the glovebox option sheet. That's the only one I've ever seen 'em on. I see them all the time on crewcabs and on 3/4 and 1 ton 2 and 4WD's. I put 'em on my truck so it would fit right in.

11-23-2005, 10:45 AM	#1
orvillespooner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: utica ny Posts: 8	Clearance lights on a Suburban? Did GM ever put clearance lights on roofs of Suburbans in the '80's? Since they are not required unless vehicle is over 80 inches wide I would think not. However I do see a lot of pickups with these lights lately. When towing a large boat for instance, as I do, they would add a nice safety feature, since there is no way to put the lights on a boat trailer high enough to do any good. Any photos?

11-23-2005, 11:36 AM	#2
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Clearance lights on a Suburban? The Cab clearance lights were an option for Suburban and all light trucks.Not ICC-required unless over 10,000 GVW.All the 30-series trucks came with them in this era along with the five clearance lights on the tailgate.GMnever offered them for the back of a Suburban,though.Is your`s a tailgate model?You could mimmick the pickup`s location.I guess you`d want them on the back of the roof for best visibility. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-23-2005, 12:37 PM	#3
orvillespooner Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: utica ny Posts: 8	Re: Clearance lights on a Suburban? Yes it is a tailgate model. I would not want the lights on rear. I would guess they would be under tailgate? I am thinking of installing on roof, atop the raised area where the front of the roof rack would be if there was one. Three in the center, and two outers slightly rear of the others, following the raised roof line. It is a more stylish placement, and it is the hightest area on the roof. I tow a boat that is 9ft high, and the trailer is 25ft long. At night it would be safer to have some indication that there is some height and width behind me. Plus the lights would look good, I think. I see two pics of Suburbans w/the lights, one conventional at front of cab roof, and the other has them installed in a windshield visor. I checked and the Federal DOT regs state that vehicles 80 inches or wider are required to have these to indicate width. That is why the dualie P/U trucks have them as well as flatbed comercial versions.

11-25-2005, 08:50 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,863	Re: Clearance lights on a Suburban? I see,I thought you were looking for better rear recognition.You`re right in thinking the clearance lights from the front are a safety benefit,especially when you are hauling and can`t stop like all the smaller vehicles that seems taken for granted by most people that drive them. I`ve driven quite a few light trucks that had the cab lights and have added them to some that didn`t have them and I`ve noticed that people tend to think twice about yankin`out in front of you when they see the extra clearance lights.By the time you`re close enough for them to see you`re not a big truck,it`s too late for them to pull out.Great psychological defense. BTW,I towed a 27'Shamrock cutty-cabin twice a year to Annapolis for several years.So I know your concern. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 11-25-2005 at 08:54 AM.

02-27-2006, 10:41 PM	#5
Robert1970C20rstbukt Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Beeville, Texas Posts: 1,943	Re: Clearance lights on a Suburban? Yes, these were optional on Suburbans. I saw a brown '84? 3/4 ton 4WD Burb with them, they were listed on the glovebox option sheet. That's the only one I've ever seen 'em on. I see them all the time on crewcabs and on 3/4 and 1 ton 2 and 4WD's. I put 'em on my truck so it would fit right in. __________________ RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck Last edited by Robert1970C20rstbukt; 02-27-2006 at 10:44 PM.



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