GEN 2 Retractable Roof Lights

[Donovan]

Simply put -

I would love to get a set of KC lights and then be able to retract them or lower them down further on the windshield if/when I need to go into a parking garage.

1. Retract on a guide that goes behind the cab and down, like a conveyer belt style.
2. The mounting area in the front could be longer with some sort of locking mechanism that holds the lights further down on the windshield.
3. Actual able to disconnect with some sort of large wingnut on command.

 

[smurfslayer]

SO... I think even if you had that option, you would still be adding critical height to the truck - critical for (L)east coast living anyway... You already have 6’ 6.5” height stock and there are a literal cr@p ton of garages at 6’8” and a few under. I had to back out of a hospital garage signed a 6’8” because while the flat part was 6’8”, the ramp had a low hanging pipe that was ... maybe 6’2” IIRC it was in or near Largo...

You might could do a chase rack and use actuators / solenoids to lower the lights / raise them back in position. You might be able to do this option without adding any “height” over the roofline / satellite antenna.

Some aftermarket vendor has a setup like this. Not cheap as an option, but neither would yours be.

 

[Donovan]

Right I feel that... if I'm paying 2500 to see brighter some companies might be able to develop a cost effective way to help keep that investment from breaking in parking garages.

Otherwise, I will develop something in my garage and patent it.

 

[Donovan]

Looks like I may need to develop a slanted system...

Or one that is totally detachable, again by a wing nut..

 

[smurfslayer]

I predict a lot of in cabin noise

 

[Antho]

Mounting at the back of the cab isnt an option?

 

[Donovan]

So you're suggesting mounting it in the rear and then just having it fold down with a remote actuator? Or manual swing arm?

I also like the look of the KCs mounted on top....to be fair.

 

[Antho]

So you're suggesting mounting it in the rear and then just having it fold down with a remote actuator? Or manual swing arm?

I also like the look of the KCs mounted on top....to be fair.

Yeah. It's already a thing. Not to deter you from designing and creating your own thing, Just tossing that out there. I do think the lights up front look cool but seems like alot of work to be able to swing it down.

 

[Donovan]

So using the swing arm idea.

One could just mount them on a top rack, then have the entire rack on a swing arm that folds backwards and clears the rear of the cab so the lights will tuck down below the cab and effectively clear parking garages of 6' 8".

This can't be expensive. Literally buy a rack that is low enough and mount the lights to it, CUT the rack at half way and weld/bolt in an extended center section that has a hinge.

 

[Donovan]