Running Lights
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Joined: Oct 2003
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Running Lights
My Dad just passed along his '68 Ranger 2WD to me. This Truck has the 3 on the tree shifter. My Dad bought this truck new in '68 the year before I was born, so I grew up riding in it. He has kept excellent care of the vehicle.
I am looking for replacement lenses for the orange running lights on the roof. Any ideas on a resource for these? Thanks.
I am looking for replacement lenses for the orange running lights on the roof. Any ideas on a resource for these? Thanks.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,130
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From: Brea CA
Hi and welcome to 
That's a nice truck with history you got there, nothing like keeping it all in the family. Are the lights evenly spaced or two on the ends and three in the middle? As I remember, the two on the ends were called clearance lights and the three in the middle were marker lights.
Back then the dealers offered roof lights C2TZ-15442-B at $4.95 each plus installation. Probably won't help though, they've been out of production for a long time. Might be worth taking one apart and seeing what kind of marking are on the housing and lens. If their original, junkyards and eBay is all I can think of right now. Used to know a site that specialized in vintage marker lights but can't seem to find the bookmark, will keep on looking. As a last resort, Pacer offers a OEM Ford style roof light kit.
In the meantime, enjoy the site!
Barry
That's a nice truck with history you got there, nothing like keeping it all in the family. Are the lights evenly spaced or two on the ends and three in the middle? As I remember, the two on the ends were called clearance lights and the three in the middle were marker lights.
Back then the dealers offered roof lights C2TZ-15442-B at $4.95 each plus installation. Probably won't help though, they've been out of production for a long time. Might be worth taking one apart and seeing what kind of marking are on the housing and lens. If their original, junkyards and eBay is all I can think of right now. Used to know a site that specialized in vintage marker lights but can't seem to find the bookmark, will keep on looking. As a last resort, Pacer offers a OEM Ford style roof light kit.
In the meantime, enjoy the site!
Barry
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 497
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From: Houston TX
Most any parts place should sell those. They all seem to look about the same, no matter what brand. I have seen the lenses sold only, but some places only sell the complete light. It's still fairly cheap.
I bought one at an auto zone, and it was the exact same shape and size as was on the truck. I didn't bother changing the whole light. I just swapped lenses. MK
I bought one at an auto zone, and it was the exact same shape and size as was on the truck. I didn't bother changing the whole light. I just swapped lenses. MK
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 1,165
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From: central Alberta
Hmmm. I guess the cab clearance lights on the 67 I stripped last summer and the ones on my 68 are just a figment of my imagination 
They were, I'm sure, available as a Ford dealer accessory. The original ones were bolted through the roof and were spaced evenly. You could order just the two outside ones, the middle three or all five. There is even a special wiring harness that runs up the LH windshield pillar. I tried mounting newer lenses on mine but there are a couple of differences in the lens castings. The screw hole on top is different and if your foam lens gasket is dried out, it's better just to switch the whole light. You can find these at almost any automotive store and they look close enough to the original design.
mike
They were, I'm sure, available as a Ford dealer accessory. The original ones were bolted through the roof and were spaced evenly. You could order just the two outside ones, the middle three or all five. There is even a special wiring harness that runs up the LH windshield pillar. I tried mounting newer lenses on mine but there are a couple of differences in the lens castings. The screw hole on top is different and if your foam lens gasket is dried out, it's better just to switch the whole light. You can find these at almost any automotive store and they look close enough to the original design.mike
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Houston TX
Hummmm. I'd never really thought about it, but it's possible mine were factory. The reason I say, is cuz I've never noticed any "homebrew" looking wiring running up to those. I'll have to check, but it seems mine must be run fairly neatly up the pillar. But they could have been dealer added I suppose. Mine has just the two outside "clearance" lights. No middle marker lights.
Those lights, along with the side marker lights are required on my truck because of the "just over 80 inches wide" utility bed. You have to have them to pass inspection here. I was thinking they added the lights when they added the bed, but maybe not. I'll have to look closer at the wiring next time I get the chance. The ute bed has been on there since the truck was new. Or really soon after anyway. My stahl utility bed is a 35 year old "classic" too. They are still in biz, but in a different city now, if it's the same co. Mine was built in Durant OK. They are like in OH now according to their website...MK
Those lights, along with the side marker lights are required on my truck because of the "just over 80 inches wide" utility bed. You have to have them to pass inspection here. I was thinking they added the lights when they added the bed, but maybe not. I'll have to look closer at the wiring next time I get the chance. The ute bed has been on there since the truck was new. Or really soon after anyway. My stahl utility bed is a 35 year old "classic" too.
They are still in biz, but in a different city now, if it's the same co. Mine was built in Durant OK. They are like in OH now according to their website...MK
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Thanks for the info guys. These lights were on the truck when my dad bought it from the Ford dealer in July, 1968. It was, apparently, an available accessory. The lights are stationed, as you guys have suggested, with 2 on the outside and 3 grouped in the middle. It looks like the lenses are hard to find. However, JC Whitney has a set of 5 new lights that look awfully close for about $40. That may be the way to go.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 497
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From: Houston TX
All the lenses I've seen at the stores should fit. But you can change the bases if they didn't. But most all of those I see have the same standard size and base. Almost everyone carries those. "auto parts, truck parts co's, etc" They seem to be fairly standard. MK
