1955 F250 Backup lights
 

Hello and has anyone hooked up some backup lights on their truck? I have the original 4 speed syn transmission. Any ideas? Thanks. Chris

I would hook up a simple circuit with a manual switch.

I think the top cover / shifter assembly on the transmission will interchange through the 1970s. I think a later truck (1967 and later?) with the T-98 had a back up light switch on the shifter assembly. I don't have parts books that go that late, but maybe Numberdummy or someone can help.

Backup lamps became standard equipment in 1967. Prior to 1967, no backup lamps were available for any truck.

The backup lenses were integral with the tail lamps. 1967/79 F100/350 Flareside pickups, 1967/79 F100/1100 Cab & Chassis, with factory installed Flat and Stake Beds used the same lamps.*

Other than using these lamps on a 1953/56 pickup in lieu of the original lamps, what other lamps could be used and where could they be mounted on these trucks?

T-98's replaced in 1965 by Warner T-18 & New Process 435 4 speeds with one exception: 1965/66 P Series Parcel Delivery's came with T-98's.

T-98 shift tower different than T-18 (only its mounting gasket is the same) and 1965/66 T-18 shift towers had no provision for the backup lamp switch to thread into.

* Here's a pic of these tail lamps. E100 is an Econoline, 99 is a Styleside pickup.

There are always taillights like this on sell on ebay:
Grote 9130 Truck Tail Light Steel Bracket | eBay

These are not the same lights as Bill showed above, 1967 to 79, but are a later style tail light, which would serve the purpose.

Thanks for all the replies. I did purchase rear light "shields" off of ebay that had a backup light small square in it. As far as the backup switch, I think I will use a toggle switch manually. Chris

On my panels I used an off road light under the truck. As far as a switch you can either fab up a bracket to hold a switch on the trans for the shifter to push or a manual switch.

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/...rselight-1.jpg