Tail light wiring...
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
Federal Motor Vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) required that there be side marker reflectors installed on 1968 and later Pickups.
In 1970, in addition to the side marker reflectors, they must also have side marker lights as well.
Within the history of the ford pickups...
1967, no marker reflectors.
1968-1969, Hood emblem changed to incorporate front reflector as required by FMVSS. Rear reflector added to bottom rear quarter panels, and two reflectors added below the taillamps. (Very hard to get these rear reflectors too.)
1970-1972, Grille shells changed, and designed so that the front turn signal lights, also become the lighted side markers in the front. The emblem reflector was still needed because the combination turn/marker lamp has no reflector. In the rear a new rectangular side marker lamp was added in the bed. The previous bottom reflectors were not required because the new rear marker lamps had reflectors incorporated into them.
1973 to 1979, long side marker reflector/lamps were introduced with the new body design. You can interchange these markers from any Ford Van 1975 up to 1991.
The only real difference with the taillamps and front turn signal lamps with the 1973 to 1979 etc... F-series, is that the 1973-1974.5 and 1974.5-1979, have differnent lamp housings and lenses.
1973-1974.5 - Front turn signal lamps, and taillights, have seperate lenses, with metal lamp housings, and seal water out with a gasket around the lense. You can tell the difference with the taillamps from a glance, because the taillamps have four screws to hold the lense on, and two screws to hold the housing.
1974.5-1979 - The taillight lense and housings are one unit made of plastic, and are held on with two screws.
The wiring is slightly different as well as the lamp sockets between those years.
Hope this helps.
In 1970, in addition to the side marker reflectors, they must also have side marker lights as well.
Within the history of the ford pickups...
1967, no marker reflectors.
1968-1969, Hood emblem changed to incorporate front reflector as required by FMVSS. Rear reflector added to bottom rear quarter panels, and two reflectors added below the taillamps. (Very hard to get these rear reflectors too.)
1970-1972, Grille shells changed, and designed so that the front turn signal lights, also become the lighted side markers in the front. The emblem reflector was still needed because the combination turn/marker lamp has no reflector. In the rear a new rectangular side marker lamp was added in the bed. The previous bottom reflectors were not required because the new rear marker lamps had reflectors incorporated into them.
1973 to 1979, long side marker reflector/lamps were introduced with the new body design. You can interchange these markers from any Ford Van 1975 up to 1991.
The only real difference with the taillamps and front turn signal lamps with the 1973 to 1979 etc... F-series, is that the 1973-1974.5 and 1974.5-1979, have differnent lamp housings and lenses.
1973-1974.5 - Front turn signal lamps, and taillights, have seperate lenses, with metal lamp housings, and seal water out with a gasket around the lense. You can tell the difference with the taillamps from a glance, because the taillamps have four screws to hold the lense on, and two screws to hold the housing.
1974.5-1979 - The taillight lense and housings are one unit made of plastic, and are held on with two screws.
The wiring is slightly different as well as the lamp sockets between those years.
Hope this helps.
