I assume the holes have been filled in, as they are no longer there. I could kinda feel one hole.

 

If that bolt doesn't go through both sides of that stake pocket, then I don't see how on earth the hinge for your tailgate could be stable at all. (It does have the tailgate hinge, right?) Just drill it back out, put longer bolts through there, and attach the taillight bracket.

 

I know the tail gate hinge has been welded on the outside middle. See I thought that the light brackets were suppose to be under the tailgate hinge. I'm not sure how I'm going to tackle this issue...

 

Sounds like you just need to post that picture. And, in the meantime, peruse the internet or youtube and look at where the tailgate hinge originally mounted.

 

I could be wrong 'cause it's been a while since I looked at one, but I thought the early trucks had welded nuts on either side of the stake pocket, forward for the tail lights, rearward for the gate hinge. The later F-1's with the flat bedsides used a through bolt.

 

I hate the look of these tail lights....

 

How about a side view showing the front of the
stack pocket where the lights bolt on?

 

It's flush on that side, like I said. May be filled in with bondo or welded up.

 

Can't say as I blame you! Those look like trailer accessory lights. Standing out so far makes them look worse, would have looked better close to the sides with the license plate mounted to the center of the bumper or on panel below tailgate.

 

What are those round lights above and in front of the rectangular lights?

 

Those would be my turn signals.... don't ask.. I have no idea why.... Same for the front too.

 

If your truck did not have turnsignals originally I don't think you can have one tail light serve as brake, tail and turn, with out adding a new wiring harness to the rear. Does your truck have the front turnsignals mounted on the front fenders? My truck was the same way. I was able to put the front turns into the parking lights (with dual filament bulbs and the correct socket) I had to do the same with the rear turns. Try as I might I could not incorporate them all together. Here is a pic of mine. I think separate turns gives tailgaters more notice of my intentions!

Also, notice the 53-54 tail lights are different than the 48-52 taillights. In 55 they came out with the Shield type of taillights.

 

You could, if you bought the correct type of SignalStat. Some SignalStats used dedicated turn lights, others you cut into the brake light circuit to use the existing dual-filament bulb.

 

This topic was discussed in detail, with a few pictures, in this thread: https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-brackets.html

 

yes, they are available from denniscarpenter.com...........

the lights are listed by truck year and model.............basically, they are round enclosed in a metal casing.............I have also seen them for sale on eBay as well................they will cost you about $50...............please know I believe the truck originally came with just a left rear with the license plate mounted beneath...........but you may buy them in pairs if you wish to have them also serve as turn signals.............which some states may require.........