What have folks done for back-up lights in their trucks that didn't have one originally? My 53 6-volt, positive ground never had any. I'm thinking of installing something that I would turn on with a toggle switch under the dash.

 

I always used these on my driver trucks, they are from vintage VW beetles
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VW-BUG-Back-up-light-Original-Volkswagen-Type-1-Hella-Germany-/252083370007?hash=item3ab156f817&vxp=mtr

 

I fitted up a set of these. As yet, not sure if they are "engineer approved" for rego down here, but I think they look okay.







My truck runs a B&M megashifter and they just hook up to the backup light switch.


I bought them from ebay, Hong Kong. They originally came with amber lights, but were easily swapped over for clear bulbs.

 

If your 53 is a column shifter, I have seen guys make a bracket off the trans for a switch that the shifter arm contacts in Reverse, kind of like a mechanical brake light switch. I'm not real comfortable with a totally manual switch, too easy to forget and leave it on.

 

I have my backup lights on a toggle switch. I used (eagle eye led) off eBay, they work great. Have 4 above license plate.

20150907_003130.mp4 Video by LOSTinGLORY | Photobucket

 

Ford didn't offer backup lamps for trucks until 1967. But Ford did offer them for cars beginning in 1949.