ADD A FLASHLIGHT

If you’re hitting the trail after dark, your truck’s on-board lighting makes it easy to see where it’s going. As for where your feet are going, that’s another story. Adding a flashlight to your transmitter allows you to light up your path, hands-free. You can simply tape or rubber-band a light onto your radio, but if you want something more stable and factory-looking, here’s how. (And yes, we know you can just buy a light that straps onto your head, but what fun is that?)

1 GET THE RIGHT SIZE CABLE CLAMPS

Measure the diameter of your flashlight (or bring it with you to the home store) then hit the electrical department for cable clamps. It’s OK if the clamp is slightly larger than your light, you can always wrap it with tape for a tighter fit.

2 MARK THE HOLE POSITIONS

Put the clamps around the light, line up the light and clamps where you want them, then mark the hole positions.

3 DRILL THE MOUNTING HOLES

Remove the back half of the radio’s case so you don’t drill into a circuit board, then drill or ream the holes for the mounting screws. Use a bit one size smaller than the screws you plan to use, so the screws can self-thread into the plastic.

4 INSTALL THE LIGHT

Carefully tighten the screws to secure the clamps. Don’t overdo it, or you’ll strip the holes. If you do strip a hole, or the plastic isn’t thick enough to afford a good grip, just use a longer screw and put a nut on the other side to hold it. Make sure there’s clearance inside the radio once it’s buttoned up.

5 REASSEMBLE THE RADIO

…and you’re ready for safer night trucking.

This AA flashlight is a good fit with ¾” clamps. You could roll the dice and drill the holes with the radio assembled, but it’s better to remove the case.

Mock up the position, then mark the holes.

Snug is all you need

If your radio has a big enough “foot,” you might like mounting the light down low. Go to boost.rccaraction.com for a full how-to on transmitter painting. An o-ring can be used to mount a lanyard, no drilling required. A screw eye threaded into a convenient spot is all you need to clip a lanyard to your radio. Paint your radio? Sure, why not?