Best/cheapest option regarding spotlight

[peterk9]

With the new discovery of the outer trim molding, does anyone know if there is a hole predrilled for a passenger side spotlight that is simply covered by a plug trim piece? I’d pop it off, but I don’t want to risk breaking it

The holes are drilled as part of the upfitter's installation. Also, I believe having 2 spotlights is not the norm since many vehicles are a one man operation. I believe going by the pictures posted, most of PIU owners have removed the light.


Peter

 

[Justinwht]

On a side note - most states allow only five forward facing lights (I would assume turned on at same time). That would be two headlights, two driving lights, and one spotlight. A light bar is considered one light.

 

[Marauderleader]

So, my PIU comes with one spotlight, which is pretty standard. I’m looking for suggestions on whether I should remove the spotlight and plug the hole, or go for the bass-ass look and add a second light to the passenger side.

I can’t do bodywork on my own, so I called a few body shops. They will patch the hole for me, but when it comes to painting, they want to paint WAY more than needed where is just want a small area painted and blended (truck is black). Close to $800-$1000 which is find excessive.

option 2 would be to get a hole drilled and add a passenger side spotlight. It’s hard to find a place that will drill the hole since it’s close to the glass and they don’t want the responsibility. My estimate is about $500 for the hole, spotlight, and professional installation.

resale value will tank if I take the spotlight off, people who buy these, love the light. Two lights is rare and desirable.

I'm just looking for opinions on what you would do

I had a batch of utilities that came in with spot lights, they were going to the detective section, I ordered the outside and inside trim from the dealer, removed the lights, plugged the hole with silicone and snapped it all back together. I think the parts were $140 from the dealer, per car.

I wouldn’t recommend aftermarket a pillar outside trim to my enemy, fits horribly bad.

 

[Chickensandwich]

I had a batch of utilities that came in with spot lights, they were going to the detective section, I ordered the outside and inside trim from the dealer, removed the lights, plugged the hole with silicone and snapped it all back together. I think the parts were $140 from the dealer, per car.

I wouldn’t recommend aftermarket a pillar outside trim to my enemy, fits horribly bad.

I was just checking eBay and read the same. It’s hard to tell what’s really OEM and what’s not. The dealership screwed up with part numbers so I have do some digging. There are 4 pieces that are shown to be needed, but I assume the mounting brackets aren’t needed, only the outer trim and inner trim piece?

 

[Marauderleader]

If you have a local dealer, let them order it, if it’s incorrect, they will make it right

 

[peterk9]

Both Levittown Ford Parts and AutoNation Ford are usually much less expensive than the dealer although there is something to be said about a more personal interaction with the dealer.

Peter

 

[Bobs2018ExplorerSport]

Having had to remove spotlights and close-off the holes on friends' former police vehicles, it would be very easy on the PIU's to simply seal-off the outer A-pillar hole with a proper-fitting snap-in hole plug (while also using a good sealer); then replace both the outer and inner trim pieces... and nobody would ever know that it was ever there at any time in the past!

 

[MattMPA]

So, my PIU comes with one spotlight, which is pretty standard. I’m looking for suggestions on whether I should remove the spotlight and plug the hole, or go for the bass-ass look and add a second light to the passenger side.

I can’t do bodywork on my own, so I called a few body shops. They will patch the hole for me, but when it comes to painting, they want to paint WAY more than needed where is just want a small area painted and blended (truck is black). Close to $800-$1000 which is find excessive.

option 2 would be to get a hole drilled and add a passenger side spotlight. It’s hard to find a place that will drill the hole since it’s close to the glass and they don’t want the responsibility. My estimate is about $500 for the hole, spotlight, and professional installation.

resale value will tank if I take the spotlight off, people who buy these, love the light. Two lights is rare and desirable.

I'm just looking for opinions on what you would do

Nenno Products sells a "patch". I've bought a couple things from them...nice folks, great service.

Large Spotlight Hole Patch fits Ford Explorer Police Utility Interceptor

Large Windshield Post Spotlight Patch that fits Ford Explorer P71 2013 - 2019 and other applications. (Available in Black or White)

nenno-products.com