Lights work. High and low beams and turn signal / park lights. I will refurb or replace the stock parking lights and reinstall them as well, but I hooked these up just to see them lit.

The wiring will be hidden when I'm finished. But I want to run the wire to the original parking lights first.

Low beams



High beams



T/S or Parking lights

 

Joe, your truck is looking real good! Have you thought about using the original park lights as turn signals? That is what I plan to do on my truck......

 

Thanks Scott.

The time is near for me to make that decision. Since the original park lights are in such bad shape, I'll need to spend a lot of time on them or buy new ones. The new ones are kind of expensive, so I'll probably just take the time to fix the originals. If I do that, I'm going to have to replace the sockets anyway, and will go with dual filament bulbs so I can wire them into the turn signals as well.

 

No pics, but just an update.

I modified the original door light switches to accept modern connectors and reinstalled them. The dome light now comes on with either door open or by the new toggle switch, just as it should.

I also disassembled the park light housings. I think they're salvageable, so I'll get to work on them someday soon. But not on Super Sunday.

I'm going to try the electrolysis rust removal process, since that should also remove the layers of paint.

Hope everyone enjoys the game.

 

Today I finally installed the new tie rod and tie rod ends (which were CHEAP at RockAuto.com). The ends arrived yesterday so I was anxious to get the straight tie rod I got from 52 Merc on the truck.

You may remember my "boomerang".

Here's the "new" one next to the boomerang I straightened the best I could.



And here it is installed.

 

RockAuto.com FTW! Looks good.

 

Aw, c'mon, Joe, give credit where credit is due.

 

That should work a bit better! Looks good!

 

Oops! Sorry about that. I got the bumper from Josh. And obviously I got the tie rod from you three months ago. My age is showing...

And after the supreme job you did packaging the tie rod too. I'm afraid there's no help for me... So sorry! I edited the original post to correct my misgivings.

 

No worries. I just couldn't help giving you a little razz. I'm glad it all worked out.

 

I used electrolysis as suggested by raytasch to remove the rust from my park light housings. They were pretty bad, and a PO had painted the "exterior" the same beige as the rest of the truck.

Before:




My electrolysis rust removal device of the apocalypse:



Then primer after a little more cleaning. I used ScotchBrite on the lamp holders.



And some paint. I decided to use black, since no part of the park light is visible when the SS cover is installed. I may rethink the color for the area around the bulb for better light reflection.



I still need new gaskets and one lens. Also, I will be converting to dual contacts for turn signals since I learned how to do it right here on FTE. You guys are great!.

 

Curious how you removed the sockets from the assembly? It seems like they're pressed in and are usually "welded" in place after all of the years.

 

They are a press fit, I think. And they were tight. But I used Bertha, my largest flat blade screwdriver in the slot at the back to break them loose and turn them while pushing them out. Actually came out pretty easily, considering all the corrosion on the brass.

 

Got a link to the how-to on the electrolysis set up?

 

Basically, I used some thick wire I had on hand to make the anodes, connecting them together electrically with some thin wire wrapped and soldered to them, forming a sort of circle to fit my 5 gallon bucket. That worked, but I wanted faster results, so I added the angle plate to one anode bar. That gave me faster results. Took about 2 hours each to get the majority loose. I used Arm & Hammer Washing Soda.

I watched this video first, then I read these other links:
Rust removal by electrolysis
Rust Removal Using Electrolysis
How to use electrolysis for rust removal - YouTube