The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Spotlight installation

While waiting for the turkey to be put in the oven, I thought I would relay my limited experience on installing a Unity Spotlight so others who are considering this can hopefully learn either what or what not to do.

Mine is a S6 with the overall length being about 14". Diameter of exposed glass is 5 1/2" diameter.

This light came off of my '53 which was crushed by my front oak tree years ago. It was one of the many items I salvaged and decided to install onto my '50. I had to drill a hole through the corner cab pillar which made me sweat just thinking about it. The mounting brakets that fasten to the cab are angled so they sit flush against the cab. The angle you drill has a direct affect on how well these brackets (especially the outside one) sit flush against the cab, so give it a lot of thought.

On the inside of the cab the spotlight shaft interferes with the interior windlace (if you have this). The hole comes through the windlace channel so I had to remove my windlace material, drill the hole, straighten up the part of the channel that was disfigured by the drilling.

Did a test install to see if everything went in ok and fastens down well without having the windlace installed. Afterwards (assuming all went well) I removed the light, installed the windlace, notched out the portion of the windlace that interferes with the hole. FYI, I find using lots of talcum powder helps slide the windlace back into place.

Afterwards, I re-installed the light which was a snug fit due to the resistance of the remaining windlace which I had to trim a little bit more. Bolted everything down and connected the wire to a positive lead I believe on my headlight switch.

Looking at my light, I could possibly trim about 2" off the shaft if I wanted to shorten it up a little but since it's not giving me bloody knuckles at this point, I'll probably leave it alone.

Here's a couple shots for reference.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/102029454/102029877iKqHdf

I'd love to hear other experiences and suggestions on this so those planning to do this can benefit.

Happy Turkey Day

I haven't installed mine yet. I found a shorter than yours on Ebay after some looking. I understand there is an installation kit from Unity with a drill guide that should make drilling the angle easier. I will order it when I get close to mounting my light.

Tony M,
I wish I had a drill guide back when I did mine. Hope all is well...

Craig

This is great ... I'm really interested in installing one on my truck.

1- What about the RED lights? What's different about them?

2 - Looks like I shouldn't order one that's any less than 12-inches - right, Craig?

3 - I'm wondering where the handle sits in the interior. Does anyone have a pic that shows the interior position?

4 - Can you mount these anywhere other than the corner cab pillar? Or would you want to?

5 - Can anyone post a copy of the drill guide?

I'm waiting to hear from one eBay seller who seems to have everything in stock, including different mounting brackets, etc. ... I'm wondering if I can just order from him and get extra bulbs, etc. -- if I get the drill guide, I'll scan it and post it.

I bought my spotlight on ebay. It's a Firestone spotlight, made by Appleton. I fastened the outer bracket to the windshield post and used it as a 'guide' to keep the drill level. The handle is quite long, but it's not in the way. The handle matches the radio buttons nicely...

Who's the old grey-haired married guy in the mirror?

"Mom, where is dad?"
--
"He is in the garage again playing with his spotlight..."

Hey, Craig

I just saw the interior shots ... I'm thinking if you mounted it a bit higher, you wouldn't have had a problem with the windlace -- the pillar gets a little wider as you go up, right?

Has everyone mounted theirs in the same position as Craig's? Anyone go up higher? Seems like it could be mounted a lot higher and still be cool, eh?

Let's clarify a couple issues:
The grey hair was done on purpose to look distinguished when working on the truck.

The fake wedding band was put in place to help keep female stovebolters from getting any wild ideas of marrying me for my truck.

The kids don't ask where dad is. They KNOW where dad is, in the garage with his 4 wheeled mistress.

Alan, the pillar width remains the same all the way up another 9+ inches. It only gets wider at the very upper corner of the glass.

Craig

Good job, now you need one on the other side...Fred

joker,

It's too dangerous having another one installed on the passenger side pillar (although that would look nice). The "Portable Hand Spot Lamp . . . with 12-foot cord which plugs into the cigarette lighter" can be safely used by the driver without having to reach over to a pillar-mounted controller on the other side of the cab.

Tim

Why can't the passenger operate the passenger side mounted spotlight?

No problem, if you have a passenger.

The Portable Hand Spot Lamp also provides coverage in all directions. But, it does not look as nice as dual pillar-mounted spot lamps (Safety Lights).

Tim

Personally I don't think two looks good. A bit too much of a good thing.

it is a norm, dual spot lights, I thought that you were speaking of the 50's type, dual exhaust, two of anything is better then one, you know that Tony m, you have twin daughters,,,Fred

Check this out -- I just copped a Unity S6 from Ebay for $15.52 ... hehehe! Not bad, eh? Now I have to get the mounting brackets.

PS - I also have to determine if it's 12 volt or not (and if it works) ... but I figure it's a good set of spare parts (for $15) if nothin' else, right? But since it's an S6, doesn't that mean it's 12 volts???

[img]http://AlanHorvath.com/54chevy/chevypics/unityS6.jpg[/img]

It will change from a 6v to a 12v with the twist of the bulb.

Ah-haa! So it's just the bulb that matters, eh? Cool.

I think I'm also gonna need mounting brackets and the rubber that goes with them ... does anyone have a source for buying bulbs and stuff like the mounting brackets? Or do I just watch eBay?

Thanks.

If it is a Unity they are still in business and sell everything. I also need the installation kit and bracket. There was some place that also sold decent foglights that carried everything. I will look for the link. Someone might chime in.

I think this was it.
Kantors

Perfect!

Thanks, Tony. The cool thing about buying new brackets is getting new rubber, too.

I'm gonna have to put a pair of those fog lights on the front of my truck after I do the spotlight install -- they'll really match up nice I think!

You guys act like spotlights are a crucial part of a truck or something. You're right. Of all accessories, it stands out a lot. Just make it work as well as it looks.

Just ran into the actual Unity website.
Unity

Hey, Craig

I agree! A spot on the driver side is a beautiful sight to see ... and if it didn't really work, it would be a total shame.

I'd like to see a photo of a 54 with two fogs on the front ... just to see if it's good looking or overkill???

Tony M
That Unity site is pretty cool. They have an archieve section that tells you what light was normally used on what vehicle.

Good info

Alan,
This is what you can look forward to:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/102029454/103229525RjagxD

Eeee-haaa!!!

Oh, MAN ... is that sweet looking!

Thanks, bro' -- that's a GREAT set of photos, Craig.

GREAT photos Craig!!

Craig,

Now you went and did it. Your photos did me in. I had to go dig out an old Unity a neighbor gave me about 25 years ago. Still brand new in the box. Even turned out to be the right one for AD's,#225 B, about 12" long overall. Just have to get an install kit,(has one in the box but not the right one).

Did you put a fuse in the power line to the light?

brjr51,
No fuse though I should probably install one.

FWIW , Alan's spot light is the current production one , sweet talk at most City garages will get you one taken off a police car salvage unit . most scrap yards have boxes of these things . the correct ones have white (more or less) handles and the head is slightly different too .

the one in the 1st. pic is the wrong one for an AD as the shaft is too long , the correct one clears the steering wheel easily .

Unity still makes the " Installation Kit " and it includes the drill guide and paper template to properly position the outer bracket - last ones I bought were $6.95 list price .

When buying used spot lights , always check the gearbox in the handle for full 360* rotation as they wear out and strip occasionally .

I personnaly dig dual spot lights but am reluctant to drill my " A " pillars as they're about the only un-chingered part on my '49 .

the driver can easily reach the passenger side one but California law forbids driving with a spotlight on .

Water & Power trucks locally used the center of the cab roof mounted one , looks kinda funky to me .

Hey, Nate

You're right again ... as usual.

The spot I bought on Ebay looks fine, except the gearbox under the light is frozen-up -- won't turn at all. I guess I blew $15 on a quick education.

It also had no mounting brackets, and after going to Kanter.com and pricing everything, I decided it would be best to buy a new unit for $143.00 ... I think I'm gonna buy two fog lights for the front of the truck (eventually), too!

What's quirky about my light is that at least 2/3rd of an entire rotation the light will not stay on while I'm turning the handle but once I stop turning it comes on. This is very hard to deal with while on a coon hunt in the woods. Them critters never sit still long enough

Hey, Craig

Sounds like the pressure being exerted while turning is probably tilting the mechanism and breaking contact ... when you stop turning, everything relaxes back into position and back into contact.

Get some dielectric grease in there and maybe it'll take up the slack?

Alan,
That sounds way too easy. Good idea and project during the time, the cab gets painted.

Craig

Anyone know the correct "installation kit" for a Unity spot? (AD truck) I got a used spot on eBay...There must be others who have gone this route. Thanks!

That kit can be found at the links in the previous posts of this thread. You can get it from Kantors or Unity themselves...

Dang,
36 replies to this thread? Doesn't anyone have a personal life? (as if I should talk)

Those pictures did it Craig....worth framing.

Craig...did you use a template from Unity to position where to drill the hole thru the truck?
Do you still have the template? I have all the parts ready to go and don't have the template...
Thanks!