Merry Christmas to all.

Last spring i got rid of the rear bumper on my 48 F1 and replaced it with a rear roll pan.
I bought the original style tail lights and brackets. It looks ok but i have decided to mount tail lights in the rear pan. I would like to find flush type. I also want to get rid of the chains for the tail gate and put on hidden latches.
Where is a good place to look for tail lights? What type have you guys used?

Terry

 

I can't help you with flush lights, but I did something a little different with the stock Ford "shield" tail lights. The plan for the brackets is also in the gallery album, if you want to do it yourself. The billet bracket bolts up to the back of the post socket and uses the hinge bolts like the stock setup.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=15346

 

I'm going a little bit oddball for my taillights, I'm using a set up from a 1946 Chrysler Town and Country (or at least I will be when I finish fabbing the mounts)

I recently made my own hidden tailgate latches using hardware store items (see my gallery "poor boy tailgate")

The late model Cadillac tailights are pretty popular, I've seen them mounted in rollpans. Yuo can go to this site and look at tons of pics and maybe get some kind of idea;
http://www.carnut.com/photo/list/flist.html

Good luck
Bobby

 

Hi Randy,

That is a very slick set up. My brother in law did something similar on his 50 chevy.

Terry

 

That link that Bobby gave you is worth checking out. I used it when I was trying to decide what to use for a dash. It was very helpful.

For a look at some options used in custom roll pans (for other vehicles) try the website belonging to Stylin Concepts. Look at roll pans for an 88 Chevy pick up or patch over from there to Sir Michaels for various ideas (i.e. flush ovals with chrome grilles on them or Corvette C4/C5 style or even flames and such {whatever floats your boat} ). I had planned to go the same route (although I'm using a modified late model bed) but have decided and committed to another direction...

If you want to do your own custom shape, check out a tech aticle on the Custom Classic Trucks or Custom Trucks webpage. They used inexpensive aftermarket truck/trailer led lights in a flush manner and they looked very sharp. Also try Lamberts or Hagans for ideas....... (I can personnally vouch for how good Lamberts are to deal with)

Bobby suggested late model Caddy taillights(course, he wants everone to put Caddy stuff in their trucks) . I suspect he meant 88 to 93. Stylin Concepts sell custom buckets to french them into roll pans/fenders/beds/etc for $90 a pair. Then you just need the actual taillight assys. They can be purchased new for $600 a pair (complete) or $??.?? used - either on Ebay or at your local wrecking yard. I know a guy that just bought a pair - used but complete on Ebay for $75.00 With those $90 buckets, he's got a nice set of taillights for not much money.......Once his son frenchs them in, he'll be gellin!

Don't forget to work in backup and license plate lights (there's a few trick ideas out there for the latter).

Good luck!

 

Check out this website for flush mount taillights. They have everything.
www.ledtaillights.com

 

I went with '39 Ford tear-drops and "frenched" them in to my roll pan. I was able to get everything I needed from Speedway. If you have the lights already, worst case you would just have to fab up your own buckets to french them in to the pan.

 

I used side marker lights from the Kenworth dealer, they are inexpensive and LED to boot. About $17 each

 

If you have flat surfaces got with 46-47 Ford (car) tail lights.

 

I don't think I'd use LED type tail lamps unless your truck is pretty slick. They're cool, but I think the incandescent type would look more 'right' on a less tricked truck. I think 2" round lamps, each in a little fairing, three on each side, would be cool. You could put a blue dot in one of them to get that cool purple look. While I'm setting you up for work, how about a sequential controller for the turn signals, like the old 67 Thunderbirds?


A third tail lamp in the tailgate or above the window in the cab would be a good addition.