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1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Improved front turn signals

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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 10:47 AM
  #1  
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Improved front turn signals

The front turn signals on my 55 F350 weren't very bright. I thought the PO had put 12 volts bulbs in since I had found 12 volts bulbs in many of my marker lights. I put a 12 volt bulb in one and it was much dimmer. I bought 2 new 6 volt bulbs since I didn't know how old the bulbs were.

The best improvement was to paint the rear insert with shiny reflective metallic aluminum paint. I used Super Glue to reattach two broken pieces of the plastic lens.

I put them back together and the brightness was noticeably better.







Do you realize how hard it is not take a picture of a flashing light with your cell phone! It took me four tried to capture it.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 11:41 AM
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Do a video then Capture a frame from it to make it easier.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 12:35 PM
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Abe, how did you get that metal part out of there? I have 2 of those lights that I need to replace the carriage bolt/stud that attaches them to the fender (not to mention I need to drill through that stud! Mine look identical to yours but I can't get that inner part out. Maybe it's just corroded on really good
 
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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 01:32 PM
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They just popped out. As you can see the screws go through the lens and the metal part. Yours are probably stuck fast. One of mine was just a little bit but it came out easy enough.
 
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Old Sep 30, 2016 | 08:57 PM
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thanks Abe, as easy that might have seemed mine were so stuck together that I wasn't sure and didn't want to break them. Well tonight I got them off and cleaned/fixed. Keep in mind I'm 12v but what I did is using the original single socket I used a dual filament bulb and the contact pad is big enough to contact both points on the bulb so you want to talk about BRIGHT, they work like a top. Not sure if there is a 6v double bulb but if so might be worth a try?
 
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Old Oct 1, 2016 | 07:53 AM
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I read on some board, maybe the HAMB, that using white paint instead of silver produced a brighter light. If anyone would like to experiment I'd be interested in the results. I have a pair of lights like these, somewhere, if I find them and find time to play around I'll give it a try.
 
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Old Oct 2, 2016 | 09:36 PM
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Mine were a reflective chrome finish
 
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Old Oct 2, 2016 | 09:41 PM
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Read the same thing somewhere ... white paint proved to make the brightest signal. Don't road signs have paint with reflective beads in it? That would work well maybe.
 
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Old Oct 2, 2016 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by bhalemail
Mine were a reflective chrome finish
I think when the PO painted the truck they also refurbished the turnsignals but I think they painted the back pieces grey or maybe it is just the primer. So I am pleases when my improvement.
 
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