Any better or worse out there for adding turn signals for my 49 F1?

 

Most people will add a dual filament socket and bulb into the parking lights and use those for turn signals. That is what I am planning on doing. You can also mount turn signals on top of the front fenders, or on the front frame horns, depending on what look you're after.

 

Better than hand signals. Mine was added on WAY back when and needed work. Had the lamps on the fenders.

I cleaned up the Signal-Stat switch and soldered on new wires then put dual element sockets in my parking lights. You can get vintage turn signal switches on the bay or buy new from NAPA. Taillight King has sockets and shorter bulbs to convert your parking lights.

My truck is a 52 but it still applies.

 

I left the stock front parking lights as is. I added a 5 bulb LED pod just above the parking light. The pod is about 3/4 of an inch thick and 3 inches long. One has to look to notice it, until I turn the signal on. It works great and the original appearance is undisturbed.
Of course, I have converted to 12 volt. LED's like at least 9 volts to work.

 

One caution: Should you opt for LED bulbs, you'll need a signal system that is rated for their use. Simply swapping LED for incandescent will give you a non-functioning setup as there isn't sufficient draw. Alternatively, resistors can be added to increase the load.

 

I'm running 12v in my 49 but on the rear have installed after market "burger" light units with a turn signal section and on the front I used the standard parking lights in the grill with orange bulbs, just about see in the picture below.

 

Nice looking truck, mate! Probably the best looking 49 Ford in the UK!

 

The major issue, when swapping to LED's, is the flasher. If one uses a proper LED flasher, (buy a good one at a tractor-trailer parts supplier), the system will be corrected for LED use. The rest of the system doesn't care what's on the end of the wire.

 

When I converted my 52 to led bulbs I had all kind of crazy stuff start happening. I was using a signal Stat and Hazzard lights worked, park and brake lights were fine, but every time I used the left or right turn signals they both flashed as hazards light. I kept thinking I had a wire crossed. I even went to the parts store and got a led flasher. Did the same thing. I had to wind up putting load rezistors in the line. watch out where you mount those rezistors. I was using that black spiral wire wrap and after about 10 to 15 minutes on the extended hazard light test it got hot enough to melt the plastic cover. I had to route them away from the wires and cover.

 

My only issue, with the LED's has been at idle. My 60 amp alternator doesn't spin fast enough to produce the proper current. It reads as alternating current. LED's don't work too well on alternating current. I have ordered a slightly smaller pulley. I'm sure that will correct the issue.