GU roof lining + fitting remote spotlight handle in roof

[BrettInUte]

OK - Im about to fit a powa beam folding spotlight handle into the roof of my GU (dual cab conversion).
Its used for a bit of hunting and as a awesome work light.

I previously had the light mounted in a GQ ute - with out any big dramas.


Now looking at it in the GU - there is a bulge in the roof lining right where the light should go thru.
My model doesnt have the plastic roof console. Just the saggy/bulge in grey roof lining.
The buldge is going to make it difficult to mount the handle - and also adjust the pivot pressure lock ring.


And Im also told there is a steel support in the roof that can get in the way of bolting the light in.

Has anyone done this before ?
(or at least knows what the roof looks like under the head lining)


Cheers

[eliteforce32]

mates i have mounted lights to have to move pivot point mor to the rear of the cab, but this is in cab chassis, including st models with roof onsole. Many including me just use the mindow mounted type, eg power beam or make one themselves. Also there always sealing issues with the pivot point on the top side of the cab with water due to the shape of cab. i hope this helps because its a just a minor pita to install

[huntingqtas]

i put one through the roof of my gu ute,yes there is a steel support that is fair in the middle,was a bit of a prick of a job..cut the hole and then you will be able to see what to do.i just cant quite remember now,it's not a major though.

[BrettInUte]

which way does the steel roof support run on a GU wagon ?

Is it wide enough to drill the whole hole riggh through....

[huntingqtas]

which way does the steel roof support run on a GU wagon ?

Is it wide enough to drill the whole hole riggh through....

pull the roof lining out a bit and have a look,my ute run from front to back.pretty sure it is wide enough to put hole straight through.pull lining and have a look.

[BrettInUte]

pulled lining down.

There is a bracket for the rv mirror base, then a gap - then a HUGE piece of foam glued to the roof.

The ideal spot looks to be just on the edge of the foam block.
Mine is a 00 dx patrol wagon.
There are different braces in the ute roofs.

Drilling starts tomorrow.

ps - with a powabeam handle and a lightforce 240mm remote mount light - the handle needs to be more than 7 inches back from the top edge of the windscreen. As the light will reflect off the windscreen (and limit visibility) when facing forward.

[BrettInUte]

Light now fitted.

put it about 200mm back from the windscreen.

I had to pull the foam block completely out. Cut it to half height and refitted it a bit further back.

There is a mongrel steel pad the sat directly under the foam block. Its bonded into the headlining. I had to cut that out with tin snips (awkward). I prob trimmed 30mm into that.

Due to the headlining hanging so low below the roof, I had to cut a fair sized hole so you can adjust the swivel pressure on the spotlight handle.

I ended up going to bunnings and buying a $3.10 100mm i.d. collar that nicely covers the edge of the headlining. Held up by 2 gutter bolts (maybe could have glued that).

Ran wires across headlining and down LHS pillar, under dash, thru firewall, and onto 2nd battery (20A fuse fitted).

Light does JUST shine onto windscreen when pointed down to something really close.
There is more work to come as the mongrel thing is 30mm too high to fit in my garage !!!!

[angiebuds]

I think, huntingqtas has a great idea on this. Or I suggest, you can use a roof mount for that. Try to check this out if it works.

[TUF-SWB]

does any body have extra info regarding this fitment of a remote spot light in a gu ute cab st.

regards, cory

[wolfie]

i have a 06 dx ute which i use for roo shootn [ chiller trade for human consumption ] i took the roof lining completly out and drilled the hole about 100mm from the the brace which runs across the roof [door to door] once all holes were drilled i then had roof lined as the same as a the old landcruisers with a felt liner and liner then cut hole to suit and fit remote in. this gave more head room and made it quieter when raining no echoing

[TUF-SWB]

yer thanks mate.. i have spoken to a few blokes and on the st models they have drilled the directly above the sun glasses holder and the handle will then sit there. pretty much in the roof console. but im worried about it leaking when it rains. due to the angle of the roof

[wolfie]

iv filled my ball in the remote with vasoline this helps to prevent it from leakn through there and lubes the ball aswell as for the rubber seal on the roof clean area on roof were rubber seal will be placed with metho and clean rag and aply silicon to the rubber seal spread evenly over seal then place in position and fit remote through roof and bolt down firm . hope this mite help

[TUF-SWB]

cheers mate

[Wozza244]

i have a 06 dx ute which i use for roo shootn [ chiller trade for human consumption

Do you box for Macro Meats? We do up here in the Hunter.
Have you got the contract in the Army base at Penrith? I often go past and think, now that is easy money.

Back to original Q, Mate if you have a Powabeam handle, particularly the longer version, here is a tip.

When you have it folded up and away, off road it comes a little loose and flogs out the thread after some time so one day you will go to screw it up and it wont work cause the thread is farrked. If i was you id run some urethane around the top of the threaded sleeve so the urethane bead seats against the thread, not rubbing.

Another way i saw was one of my mates used a piece of garden hose and a hose clamp so the hose contacts the thread first.

I find powabeam ones crap so i bought a Blazalight fixed handle, its better for use but i cant fold it away when im just driving around town. Cant bloody win.

[wolfie]

no i dont have the contract for the army in penrith . iv got the blazza light set up in the patrol dont like the others due to the big bulky handle in the power beam set up and havnt hd a good run run with the lightforce one's ,the blazza light set up is a simple sturdy robust unit . as you said the handle is a bit of a pain [handle] as the wife she keeps hitn her head on it lol, if not useing for a while i just undo the nut and place bottom part of handle behind the seat as it only takes a min to take off

[TUF-SWB]

Yey cool mate. ive also got the balzalight one.. yellow handle.. feels comfortable. thanks for the help. i will get into this w/e.. as its killing me not having it mounting,,,

[wolfie]

have fun lol