Drilling Holes in a New Ram 2500! Clearance Lights Install..

In this video I go through a step by step process installing clearance lights on a 2016 Ram 2500. The video is a little long and I apologize for that but this job was massive and took over 2 days to accomplish working about 4 hours or so each day.
Plastic Insert Update! Thanks to 1500 Mike for the information there are better clips that your local dealer sells which are metal.
MoparPartsGiant.com sells them as well
Ram Part No.: 6509432AA NUT-SNAP IN
Ram 6509432AA NUT-SNAP IN
Part Description NUT Snap In M4.2X1.41
Link for LED's: a.co/d/gE7f9ZH
Link for Cab Lights on Amazon: a.co/d/1DWclWE
They are also on ebay by searching: 2003-2018 Dodge Ram 1500 2500 3500 Roof Cab Clearance Lamps Light Kit Mopar OEM

[@MeyerBuilt]

Replace plastic expansion plugs with 8/32 rivet nuts or nutserts….much easier and durable option. Thanks for putting effort into this great vid!

[@marcinmisztak257]

Great video man! I was always afraid doing this on my 2013 Cummins, but after seeing this video I want for it. Got it done last weekend and and it took me just under 9 hours. I drop down the headliner Saturday and finished it up on Sunday. I was taking my time and measuring 100 times!

[@miguelrojas5964]

The best and most explanatory video, no matter how long it lasted, what matters that it makes it very clear how it should be done

[@travisprell1148]

successfully installed mine yesterday thanks to your video - IBEW 1249 💪🏼

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Nice bro... glad I could help! IBEW 46

[@abailey2762]

Thanks, this video really help me install my OEM roof lights on my 2015 Ram 2500...

[@drumwrightd]

Excellent, Excellent Video! Gives me the confidence that I can do it myself. One of the better "How to" videos on KZbin

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Thanks I tried my best to give the best instructions.. I know how I felt going into that job and I wanted to provide something that would ease the fears to others..

[@GRadvbro]

Best video for the Ram cab clearance lights! Gonna rock this out thanks to you.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Black Beauty 6.7 glad I could help I was really nervous attacking this challenge I have to admit and I wish I had a video like this one to help me at least ease the fear of taking on the job!

[@GRadvbro]

Leonidas Maximus so I finally got the cab lights on. Got the 15/64 bit,Let me tell you. I went out and purchased the 7/8” drill bit. Thinking it would work better than a step bit. Well it was not better. If I could do it all over I would use a step bit. Had to go under and punch the cab with the back of a screw driver to re flatten the holes. That bit grab to much and twisted the holes since the cab is very thin. :/ other than that everything else went flawless. Did not drop the screws in the back panel! Re assembly was faster than disassembly. Did water test and nothing came into cab. Let’s hope it stays that way. Again thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@jessegranados909]

Thanks for the video. I just installed some clearance lights on my 2018 Ram 3500 Limited. Every option on the truck but the cab lights. Go figure. Anyways your step by step video really made the job easy. I’ve done a F250,350 but this was my first time doing a Ram. Thanks again.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Jesse Granados Glad I could help!

[@Berserkirgaming]

Thank you for such a detailed video! Just had my Mopar OEM lights come in the mail today. I have an 11 Laramie Longhorn, basically the same install wise, but will wind up having to bring them back towards my sun roof about an inch due to another roof support behind that shelf from the peek I took in the headliner tonight. Biggest plus side is being able to hang out of the roof to drill those holes though. Haha

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Matthew Weaver glad I could help!

[@redporschekilla]

Most detailed how to for this installation!!! Awesome content.

[@josephpuchel6497]

Hey Just came across your video. Yes drilling holes in a new truck roof top is scary to say the least. Especially a Laramie model. How’s it holding up. Excellent video tutorial

[@eleazardiaz2879]

Thanks man just did mines today, your video helped me alot

[@brad330r4]

Thanks for the video. It made my install straight foreword.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

BRAD330R thanks glad it helped

[@blackberry5.731]

Just eased my mind with this install! Def installing mext weekend!

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Blackberry 5.7 glad I could help!

[@thomasr5184]

Thanks for making the video man! Best how to video for installing these lights. How are just the OEM gaskets holding up at keeping water out and what led bulb did you use and where did you pick them up and how have they lasted? Cant wait to get these done on my truck. Love the look of the OEM cab lights

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Thomas R they are keeping the water out.. I did a hose test before I put everything back together to make sure.. if you don’t feel comfortable you could always put some silicone around the holes. I bought LED lights off amazon I believe the link is in the video information.

[@williamsantiago7303]

Great video buddy and very very informative, well done.

[@justinruppenthal9954]

Best video I’ve found so far....... Thanks for the info!!!!

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Justin Ruppenthal that was my idea I searched and searched for information on this DIY and found almost nothing so I had to make a video!

[@tbowlesy]

Awesome Video... What kind of sealant did you use on the bare metal after you drilled the holes? Looking to do my 2012 and didn't want to leave my drilled holes bare. Also where did you pick up your yellow led bulbs at?

[@StVick]

If you watched...he didn't use any...if you watched, he used the OEM Mopar lights.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Todd Bowles I bought the LEDs off Amazon they weren’t expensive at all.. as for sealant St. Vick is correct I didn’t use any.. I went with OEM lights and trusted to seal but only after I water tested them with a running hose!

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Todd are you talking about sealant to protect the drill holes from rusting If so I used a bed liner spray paint. I sprayed a bunch into a container and used a paint brush to brush on the bed liner to the drilled holes. Hope that helps.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Here is the Link for the LED's: a.co/d/gE7f9ZH

[@normansneddy5185]

Thank You Great Video👍👍

[@wagz1710]

Just bought the Mopar kit off EBay, did you upgrade the lamps to LED? Or did your kit come with LED lamps? Good video 👍🏻 also where did you buy your kit? Thanks in advance, IBEW 1245 brother here!

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Jason Williams nice to meet you brother I’m IBEW local 46.. I signed the books in 1245 about 2 years ago. I upgraded the lamps to LED and I bought them off amazon here is what they are called (AUXITO 194 LED Light Bulb, Amber Yellow 168 2825 W5W T10 Wedge 24-SMD 3014 Chipsets LED Replacement Bulbs) I bought my kit off eBay as well. Once again nice to meet you brother!

[@wagz1710]

Thank You!

[@mooreshenanigans1197]

Great video. I’ve watched it twice already and the kit just came today. I’m sure I will watch it a few more times too. If I missed it I’m sorry, but what year is your truck? How long do you think it took you? I think I’m going to order those roof clips first and hopefully do it right the first time. Thanks again.

[@glock1613]

Best cab light install video there is! You the man!

[@bassetthound1234]

Great Video.. Easy to Follow.. Maybe I'll try to do mine.

[@paulrollinsjr.1845]

Very good video sir appreciate the the effort. And nice wrenchworkz hat

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Paul Rollins Jr. I take it you watch Greg A eh?

[@2500mike]

I bought the same kit. I found this video from the comments on Amazon. Those plastic screw tabs are giving me a hard time. They would spin with the screw. So got another hand to hold them until the screw grabbed. Good to go there. But on just one light. One tab would not allow the light to screw down tight. Sure enough water pours right in. I have no idea where to get those tabs. About to contact a dealer to see if I can get them seperate. Wish me luck. They look great. Just discouraging when it doesnt work out

[@LeonidasMaximus]

1500 Mike good luck! I’m glad you stopped by and I hope the video helped you out.. I hated the plastic inserts I’m going to do some searching for alternatives that hold better because I know I’m going to have the same issue whenever I have to go to replace my first lamp..

[@2500mike]

@@LeonidasMaximus no problem the video helped a lot. I just found them at a dealership about 60 miles from me. They have 10 in stock. So I'm guessing it's an issue when you have to go change your bulbs exactly like you said. The dealer called it a snap in nut. So off I go. Thabks again!

[@2500mike]

@@LeonidasMaximus So. The ones from factory are metal. They work 100 times better. I had to use a bit on a Dremel tool to square up the holes. I was told by the tech at dodge that they use them from factory. Cost me 60 for 10.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

1500 Mike nice I’m going to have to call the dealer and get the metal ones! Thanks Mike good looking out!

[@LeonidasMaximus]

1500 Mike they happen to give you a part number for those?

[@johnsmith-qh3vq]

great video I'm gonna be doing my 2018 2500 ram , did yours have side air bags ?

[@LeonidasMaximus]

john smith Yes I thought that was in the video if you want to feel more comfortable around those unhook your batteries. You still want to be careful in those areas so you don’t tear a bag or the supports that hold the bag in place! It’s definitely not as bad as it sounds or looks just be mindful of them!

[@matthewportillo881]

What substance did you use to prevent rust from occurring on the holes?

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Matt The RAM fan I used the spray on Berliner.. Sprayed some in a cup and painted it on with a brush.

[@glenntipping7257]

what was the manufacturer and where did you purchase it. Hope you are still around. Nice job

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Glenn Tipping So the lighting kit was mopar and you can get them off of eBay or even amazon. I bought mine off of eBay.

[@brendencox5494]

Still holding up strong !?!

[@RickySlatton]

Do you think I can add a fuse at the end of the power wire just in case a led bulb goes out and I don’t fry the wiring harness?

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Sure there is nothing wrong with adding a little extra protection

[@djgodden]

Much easier if you don't mess with the headliner console. Just remove both pillars and visors and the head liner front will drop down enough to feed the wires up to the holes. Really funny is that MOPAR says this takes an hour. Uh... nope.

[@RickySlatton]

Do you still recommend? Have you had any problems with leaking?

[@LeonidasMaximus]

I’ve sold the truck now but everything was still good when I sold it. I never had any leaks but to ease your mind you could always seal the lights with a silicone sealant. I chose not to do that as I went with the mopar kit but go with your gut and do what you think is best!

[@RickySlatton]

@@LeonidasMaximus Good to hear no leaks. Also, thanks for taking the time to make this video!

[@bleachinuri]

technically the 2 lights on the outside are clearance lights, the 3 in the middle are I.D lights, thats why the 3 in the middle are grouped closer together

[@johnnewkirk3928]

What are the inserts for the screws that you used?

[@LeonidasMaximus]

They come with the kit and are plastic inserts that allow the screws to thread into the metal of the truck IMO I think these are cheap and I think they could have come up with a better design but they do the job.

[@tater0909]

How they holding up? Any leaks?

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Daniel Warren they hold up really well.. No leaks.. put silicone on them if you want to make 100% sure.

[@tater0909]

Leonidas Maximus ok. I want to put them on my truck. I bought a tradesman package. Figured I’d add to it along to fancy it up.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Daniel Warren honestly if you’re mechanically able this project is really easy.. The hardest part is getting past the mental block of messing up! I did my best in the video to show all the bad point! I loved the new look when I was completed I’m sure you’ll feel the same way! Good luck!

[@dhooter]

I have a 2013 2500 Laramie and the damn thing didn't come with the lights. Chaps my ass I didn't notice when I bought it. Has every option known to man except clearance lights. Makes no sense whatsoever why a optioned out truck doesn't have them.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Buck Shot same here.. it drove me nuts and I had to change it!

[@bleachinuri]

i wish mine didn't have them. its not a real truck just a pick-up

[@LeonidasMaximus]

bleachinuri why didn’t you buy a truck without them?

[@bleachinuri]

@@LeonidasMaximus because the trim level I wanted comes with them there not an option on the limited or I would have deleted them, I'm actually considering having a body shop remove them and blend/paint it, I'm waiting to find out from fiat if it will void my warranty, other then that the 2019 is really nice, my 2016 was really nice too, it didn't have the cab lights

[@ivanfuentes4852]

Wich one its positive and wich one negative ?

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Ivan Fuentes on the mopar kit the green wire is positive and there is a shorter black wire with an eyelet connector on it for your ground..

[@ivanfuentes4852]

On the roof right

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Ivan Fuentes yes you’ll see in my video I grind the primer off the truck to attach the ground

[@LeonidasMaximus]

You do not have to run the ground down to the plug

[@ivanfuentes4852]

So my negative taps to the short black one the ground ?

[@rodneysmith01]

Where did you get the template?

[@LeonidasMaximus]

They come with the Mopar Lighting Kit

[@jondrew55]

A $95 option if you order the truck. But I bought off the lot. Have to decide how bad I want these (spoiler: I want them)

[@LeonidasMaximus]

They are worth the effort!

[@jondrew55]

Sad update. RAM no longer makes an OEM kit for later model trucks.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

@@jondrew55 honestly they probably haven’t changed from 4th to 5th gen. I can’t say for sure but they really didn’t make that much of a change going from 4th to 5th gen and it’s still the same cummins

[@jondrew55]

@@LeonidasMaximus I’d be concerned the shape of the roof and template might not be the same. I could place them myself, but I would not want to risk leaks if the contours are different. Also not sure where the correct connection point is. I know from experience with my Wrangler the lighting is very finicky when you do add-ons or go from Incandescent light to LEDs. I suppose the $95 for the old set would not be too risky. The worst that could happen is they don’t lay smoothly on the roofline when you test for them and you get the wiring all sorted out BEFORE you do any drilling.

[@Powerstroke73TurboD]

Hey, I'm in WA also. Wanna do mine? I'll pay! Lol

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Powerstroke73TurboD Not really lol.. one was enough for me.. haha

[@darrinalcorn4558]

I have the template but where are the measurements ?

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Darrin Alcorn go to 10:24 on the video and the measurements are explained from that point forward!

[@Rick-fx8lh]

Haha. Hey let’s drill the holes in the roof, then test for power.

[@LeonidasMaximus]

Well unless the truck is pretty much useless I’m sure there is power somewhere.. it’s not rocket science!

[@caboveramericawirelesscabm3440]

Why drill holes when you can get these wireless cab lights from CABOVERAMERICA.COM

[@starmc26]

Your truck didn't come with clearance lights because it's not big enough.

[@vbadkin]

caboveramerica.com a U.S. patented stylish, high quality, exciting, revolutionary new alternative for LED-COB cab clearance marker lights. For all Trucks and SUV,s. These wireless cab clearance marker lights require no holes in your cab. Easy installation Cab Over America™.

[@bleachinuri]

why not just buy a truck with the lights on it already

[@LeonidasMaximus]

bleachinuri price I got a brand new truck off the lot for $15k less than others and definitely cheaper than ordering!

[@BiggusDickus2]

Damn good video.