Anybody have a problem with aftermarket parking lights from LMC? I have tried multiple things and ways to get them on and just don't seem to correctly fit. They stick out way too much past the main headlight. I know aftermarket isn't going to fit 100% but these just seem way to out of whack.

 

Yes; their quality is sub-par or to put it in the proper vernacular, Chinese junk. I put a new one on a few months ago and had to bend the tabs that mount to the splash pan; I also had to use longer screws. I had to bend the frame to get the mounting of the assembly to screw into the backplate. It still left a gap between the headlight rim and the new parking light frame like your picture. It is frustrating to pay the money they charge for parts when they do not come close to fitting like the originals.

 

55 has always been the red-headed stepchild when it comes to aftermarket parking lights. Assuming the you have the proper valence, the proper wind deflectors, and the proper headlamp buckets then the only thing left to point a finger at is the fit of the parking light itself. Your photo shows that the back of the parking light bezel is too narrow to slide back around the lower section of the headlight bucket. If it were me I would remove the mounting screws and see if the bulb mounting assy can be adjusted back or perhaps the mounting screw mounts can be spread out a bit. Good luck...

 

I just happen to have my 55' originals off so I traced and measured them for you. If you have the originals you could always get them chromed. This will not fix your problem but it should give you something to compare too

 

Thanks Dave...that is a sketch that will go into my reference binder.

 

I just installed mine on my 54 F-100 had to use the upper and lower seal ( not to scratch paint and make water tight---- used 1/8" vac hose sliced in half - slide one piece on bottom and top )--I loosen up grill bolts at air deflector and installed and l have to put pressure on assembly push back as tightening.

 

I see NOS 53/54 parking light housings on ebay occaisionally. These will have the correct Sungate Ivory paint on them.

 

I bought a pair several weeks ago, from a local supplier. They did not fit well because of several different issues.
The metal light housing did not accept the screws well, they ivory colored paint but the case was not well bent and did not match the lense.
The real problem is that the front end is fiberglass and is modeled after the 56 or the 55 year. I had to alter the 54 grill to fit into front end. and the marker lights did not fit the profile at the bottom edge .
I just bought the sealed beam lights with the led light marker and turn signals as one piece. and i'm going to delete the marker lights.

 

I purchased complete assemblies with the stainless trim from Mid Fifty for my 54 and had the same problem. The stainless trim shape did not match the original and the base housing didn't match either. I ended up cleaning up my originals and treated with rust converter then primer. The only parts I used from the new assemblies are the lenses, the base for the lens with the white pad and the pigtail.

 

When I redid my 54 in 1999 I bought new painted housing, lenses, and sockets, the whole unit, from I think MidFifty. They fit good. So someone else is making them now and doing a poor job of it.

 

There are lots of things happening in the front at that location. I would try leaving the fender and grill bar bolts loose then see if you can get the lights to fit properly. If so then work your way out from those lights tightening bolts as you go. I'm sure that they never had to do that in the plant but everything was new at that point and didn't have 60+ years of rough roads.