Underhood Reel Light

[daved931]

Got a reel light on eBay for $20. Installed it today. I've seen them on older OBS trucks, but not any of the newer ones like mine. I assume this is because GM was mounting them on the passenger side fender near the battery and once they went to the Vortec engine in 96, the Vortec air box got in the way.

The light I got had a wiring pigtail on it that looked factory. It had a cylindrical bus fuse holder with a ring terminal on the end for power and another ring terminal for ground. I went to put a standard bus fuse in there holder and it was too long. Not sure what would go in there. Maybe one of those little Bosch ones I've seen in older Volvos??? I should post a pic. Anyway, I hacked that off and put in a fuse holder for a blade style fuse. I put a ring terminal on the end and put it on the stud where power runs into the fuse block on the driver's side. I drilled a small hole in the inner fender, took the paint off around the hole and then mounted the ground with a self tapping screw and washer which I then covered with grease to protect it.

I mounted the reel to the PCM mounting bracket on the driver's side. The light works and it's got enough cable to go all the way to the far corner of the truck.

There's no hood switch or anything, the reel light has a manual on/off switch, which I really like.

http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs250.snc1/9718_517360763259_53800192_30794164_1504144_n.jpg

Sorry for the crappy cell pic.

[SpeedDevil]

My 96 vortec with the monster air box has a reel light. looks good! I like them.

[daved931]

Cool. I didn't know they were available that late. Where is yours mounted?

[TheFreeman2005]

Yeah, I love that thing! I used it a bit tonight as a matter of fact.

[ballardin92]

mine doesnt work

[someotherguy]

I've seen them on Vortecs up on the firewall, passenger side. They're cool but so far I haven't had to use one for anything.

Richard

[daved931]

Oh, cool. See, learn something new every day.

[Da Burb]

Yep....I bought one and put it in place of the underhood light.
Trying to find a pic. You can see it in this one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/hquick/Mercruiser%20Marine%20Manifold/PA200005.jpg

[daved931]

I like that mounting location. Looks like you've got a full engine bay with that Whipple Charger.

[tatoodkelt]

Good stuff man. My 94 and my 95 both have those. I have an extra from my 96 parts truck that I'm planning on putting on my 99 Suburban.

[sunburnedaz]

Got a part number for the OBS trucks reel light?

[Dale Gribble]

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cd/full.aspx?Page=149

At 20 bucks I'd say you got a good deal.

[Stärke]

I've thought about this. So far it's stayed that way. Should get on it.

You probably tried an AGC fuse, which is most common. Maybe an AGX or AGW?:dunno:

http://www.bussmann.com/pdf/7e17b38e-88c4-4159-892d-ba9b51f75907.pdf

[gm4yrs]

Got a part number for the OBS trucks reel light?

12341801 Lamp Pkg. List $79.16 Cost $55.77 Only 3 left new, from GM. Go to the dealer, ask for a parts locate.

[someotherguy]

Or just grab one from the boneyard in any pre-95 OBS...they were pretty much standard equipment on all but the most base model.

Richard

[Chevy1500z71]

i used to use mine to top off my rear end at night when the pinion seal leaked on the old 10 bolt. also used it when my flex plate was missing half its teeth and i had to turn the motor over with a wrench to catch a few good teeth to start it lol. that light has always served me well through all the junk stages of my truck. id install one of those things on any vehicle.

[daved931]

Got a part number for the OBS trucks reel light?

I don't have the part number. As noted below, you can buy new through LMC truck. I scored mine from an auto scrapper on the Internet.

[tatoodkelt]

Or just grab one from the boneyard in any pre-95 OBS...they were pretty much standard equipment on all but the most base model.

Richard

My 95 has one too.

[daved931]

I think I'm going to go outside and play with mine (reel light). I almost forgot how sweet it is.

[CKgmt400]

I have a 95(its an SL) and it didnt come with one. Is the factory pigatil to hook it up tucked away in there somewhere ?

[daved931]

When I bought my light, it came with the wiring pigtail but it was removed from a truck that was in god knows what condition. It really just needs constant 12v power and a ground.

[gm4yrs]

The wire connector part # are 88987993 for 88-91, 12072864 for 92-97, both $35. Another one is 88862305 for $12.

[Da Burb]

I replaced the small underhood light with mine and just used the same wiring.

[Da Burb]

Here's one I just found for anyone who's after one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/GMC-CHEVY-TRUCK-Engine-Compartment-Light-Reel-Type_W0QQitemZ230409058597QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotor s_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item35a5733925

[transplant]

I have a few at home. I pick one up every time I'm at the pick your part & I think about it. I have put one in every vehicle that I have. They should be standard equipment on all vehicles.