All,

I've been trying to find a 1948 Ford pickup dome light without success. Has anybody found an alternative? I checked out some domelights on tailightking.com that look like they might work.

 

Tried... mid-fifty or f100 central.com or lmc or mac's antique auto parts

 

48's never came with a dome light, so if you're looking for something that specific, there's a reason why you can't find one. The dome light option came to be available in 1951 only with the deluxe "extra cab" option package. They're fairly rare and rather expensive when they come available. If all you want is an interior light and aren't hung up on originality, you can use a light from pretty much anything. There's a lot of lights that are reproduced from other cars and trucks from the era that would look period correct.

 

I have one complete and one for parts, but I already have a waiting list for both.

 

The 1948-52 accessory dome light is the same as the 1951-52 factory installed one used on 5 Star Extra Cab trucks. The only difference is that the bezel is painted gloss black, instead of silver.
They are getting pretty hard to find, and expensive. They sell pretty quick when I have them.
The problem will eventually be solved, though, since I sent samples to Dennis Carpenter to be reproduced.
Chuck

 

Oh, oh!!! Better sell off my inventory before the repros hit the market and reduce the value.

Chuck, I have an NOS 51-52 radio installation kit/bracket. Would be nice to have that reproduced as well. Did you contact DC with the idea directly or did he approach you?

 

Pictures of a 51-52 dome lamp that I sold a few months ago.

 

Ilya,
Dennis calls me from time to time to discuss things to reproduce. Even though he now owns a plant in China, some things cost too much to reproduce (based on how many you can sell, at what price, over what period of time). They do offer that nice reproduction 1951-52 radio, so the speaker bracket might sell (although I can't remember more than a couple requests for one in all the years I have been selling parts). I will mention it the next time I talk to him. Of course, the real reason the radios are being made is because they fit 1949-50 cars, and they don't need the speaker bracket.
Chuck

 

Although I haven't opened the NOS box, from what I've seen, it should be relatively easy to reproduce since it's mostly flat sheet of metal

It would also be nice to get some interior dash trim, as well as the front hood molding, (for the 51 and 52) reproduced.

 

It is pretty simple, but demand may not be there.
I sent Dennis samples of both the '51 and '52 front hood moldings. Also, both versions of the safety catch, the lock plate spring, and all of the molding clips.
Dash trim would be a good idea. I'll mention it.
Chuck

 

Not many people realize that the radio/speaker bracket is needed when installing the radio in a 51/52.

I can also send DC some parts for review in case you don't have them.

 

What does the 51-52 radio bracket attach to? I was looking under there recently and didn't see any obvious choices.