Hi All,

Anyone have any ideas on how to (where to) put back up lights on a `56?
I`m looking for lights and a place to install them that would be almost unseen. Any ideas I`d like to hear. Any gallery pics I`d like to see. Thanks

Gusso

 

I will be interested to see this also. I have thought about it on my 49. The best thought that I have had is to incorporate the lights a custom trailer hitch under the rear bed crossmember and tucked SS bumper. My taillights are 42 Ford car in the crossmember so I need to stay with oval or rectangular back up lights.

 

Just a dumb idea, but if I was going to have back up lights (hidden) on my 51 f1 I would look at mounting small rubber housing seal beams (4411?) tractor / big truck loading / backup lamps up inside the rear frame around the rear diff or more forward, out of sight but when turned on would shine rearwards and down? See it was a dumb idea! Being wrong keeps me humble!

 

Backup lights? We don't need no stinkin' back up lights...just always go forward! Thank you. Thank you very much...

 

They are making very small driving lights that could be used as backup lights that are mounted out of sight tucked up in the frame. Since they do throw a lot of light they do not need to be displayed on the back of the vehicle.

 

Back up lights could easily be mounted to the bumper brackets. If they hung down just enough to shine below the bumper, they wouldn't be seen unless you were pretty far back from the truck and even then, they would be in a dark area. There is even a hole to mount them where the two brackets are bolted together between their attachment to the frame and the attachment to the bumper.

Some small road lamps from an off road store would work perfectly.

 

All right Guys,

You got me thinking with your great ideas. I`ll just keep brainstorming with this info
and I`ll come up with something. Thanks. I guess no one has anything in their
gallery?
Thanks again.

Gary

 

Gary,

I can't wait to see what you come up with so I can copy it. At the car show over the weekend I saw some really neat small round clear lights on the back of a 49 Merc. I couldn't find the owner to see where he got them though.

I've been toying around with using some side marker lights. I know that some late 60's GM vehicles had some relatively small rectangular (1"x2") light mounted on the front fenders ahead of the wheels. I'd probably mount them in the rear bed sill below the tailgate.

I also like Kusto's idea of having them hidden.

Bobby

 

Bobby ,
I like Kusto`s idea also. What I`m toying with is some sort of light that, with a press of a button, will gear down 90 degrees, and light up. I`m sure they are made. Its just a matter of finding a source. Anyway, Bobby, Keep those icy pops close by. Oh, and by the way,
copy anything. I consider it a great compliment.
Thanks for the input.
Gary

 

Hey, nice idea.. if you find some, let me know.. I could use them too.. No bumper and I'm not putting more holes in the roll pan.

Sam

 

Sam

I looked on line all day yesterday and was not able to find anything. Looked every where in auto and aircraft but could not find anything. If and when I find something, I`ll
let you know.

Gary

 

maybe some old headlight mechanism's would work. i did see a neat trick using polished stainless to redirect the light and seemed to work fine.

 

Gusso: I remember that a single engine aircraft had a landing light under the wing near the outer wing tip that geared down for landing. I don't remember which one. Google aircraft salvage and maybe something will turn up so you can ask. Here in Kansas City: White industry's located a little east of KC on I-70. Have a great day,chuck

 

Chuck
I googled aircraft yesterday and found a used light with a gear like I was looking for
but they wanted $300.00 for it. (used one) I also googled for headlight mechanisms.
Found corvette headlight but they also were very expensive. 55dudes idea to redirect
the light with a polished s steel sounds like it should be looked into.
Want to thank everyone who posted ideas here. You guys are great and given lots
of food for thought. Something will pop up and we will get it done. Thanks
Gary

 

I'm not sure if the motor is strong enough but what about the retraceable rear license plate mechanism use on street rods?