new taillights
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,407
Likes: 5,417
From: Central PA
new taillights
Before:
After:
I finally put the new and correct taillights (correct for '53-'54) on my truck. The left one is NOS that I bought several years ago on ebay. I could not find a right NOS so I bought a repro from Mid-Fifty. Both had been sitting on my workbench for several years. I had been planning on getting new turnsignals that sort of matched the taillights but was not sure how to attach them. But I found a Grote turnsignal exactly like the old one on the right so I bought that on ebay and put that on. I think the whole turn/tail/brake lights look better than before. However, now the old turnsignal lens looks dull so I must look for a new lens for that one!!! My lights I had on are for 48-52 pickups I discovered after I had them mounted for several years. In the repro catalogs they were advertized for 48-56, duh....
After:
I finally put the new and correct taillights (correct for '53-'54) on my truck. The left one is NOS that I bought several years ago on ebay. I could not find a right NOS so I bought a repro from Mid-Fifty. Both had been sitting on my workbench for several years. I had been planning on getting new turnsignals that sort of matched the taillights but was not sure how to attach them. But I found a Grote turnsignal exactly like the old one on the right so I bought that on ebay and put that on. I think the whole turn/tail/brake lights look better than before. However, now the old turnsignal lens looks dull so I must look for a new lens for that one!!! My lights I had on are for 48-52 pickups I discovered after I had them mounted for several years. In the repro catalogs they were advertized for 48-56, duh....
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
You can polish that dull lense with polishing compond (not rubbing compound) or a good chome polish (use very little) and if it is plastic, it will shine right up.
It's interesting that you elected to keep the second set of lights for the turn signals.
It's interesting that you elected to keep the second set of lights for the turn signals.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,407
Likes: 5,417
From: Central PA
I tried Magic Eraser. Will try to polish it.
When I had the truck painted back in 1999, I tried to put tail, brake, and turn lights all in the same light but could not, try as I might. I had to get it done so it could pass inspection, so I retrieved the turn signals that were on the truck when it went to the body shop and mounted a small bracket above the tail lights and put the old turnsignals on. The truck did not have factory turn signals, they were added later to meet PA State regs so I did not think it was possible or quickly possible.
Besides, I like to think the extra lights in the rear may alert a tailgater when I slow down and turn. I have even thought about putting a third brake light suctioned cupped to my rear window....
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,641
Likes: 21
From: Poway, Ca.
Some Ford Factory or Dealer Signal Light "Kits" came with seperate back lights similar to yours and lights mounted atop the front fenders as well.
On the two filiment tail lights, with a modern signal switch arrangement, the brake and signal lights are both wired through the signal switch and use the same wire/light bulb filiment.
The running light uses the other filiment and is wired off the headlight switch - completely seperate circuit. It's easy to combine then to one light!
On the two filiment tail lights, with a modern signal switch arrangement, the brake and signal lights are both wired through the signal switch and use the same wire/light bulb filiment.
The running light uses the other filiment and is wired off the headlight switch - completely seperate circuit. It's easy to combine then to one light!
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,895
Likes: 8,361
From: northwestern Ontario
I thought that the shield shaped taillights were the stock lights for the 53-56 or were they introduced somewhere in between.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Central PA
The Ford shield lights were first used in 1955.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,407
Likes: 5,417
From: Central PA
The older lights have glass lenses. The newer ones have a plastic lenses. I noticed that the plastic lens has reflective qualities. This probably was the latest innovation in 1953...
Thread Starter
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,407
Likes: 5,417
From: Central PA
Some Ford Factory or Dealer Signal Light "Kits" came with seperate back lights similar to yours and lights mounted atop the front fenders as well.
On the two filiment tail lights, with a modern signal switch arrangement, the brake and signal lights are both wired through the signal switch and use the same wire/light bulb filiment.
The running light uses the other filiment and is wired off the headlight switch - completely seperate circuit. It's easy to combine then to one light!
On the two filiment tail lights, with a modern signal switch arrangement, the brake and signal lights are both wired through the signal switch and use the same wire/light bulb filiment.
The running light uses the other filiment and is wired off the headlight switch - completely seperate circuit. It's easy to combine then to one light!
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Tube toothpaste works wonders on scratched, dull plastic, just add a bit of water.
Meguairs sells a plastic polish. IMO, it ain't worth a damn.
The DuPont mustard colored polishing compound is gritty, can do more harm than good, use the white stuff instead.
Meguairs sells a plastic polish. IMO, it ain't worth a damn.
The DuPont mustard colored polishing compound is gritty, can do more harm than good, use the white stuff instead.
