turn signals utilising back up lights

Graeme / New Zealand

Graeme / New Zealand

Well-known member
I'm going to install turn signals on my 48. I plan on converting the front park lights to dual filament . I am looking at what to do for the rear. Here in NZ the usual is to have amber flashers. I doubt people would take much notice of them , poked in the small red tail lights and on 6v. I don't like the look of those add on motorcycle type jobs. I am looking at finding a pair of pedestal original type round back up lights eg "Yankee bakup" or similar brand and mounting them on the rear splash pan. I could use a 6v amber bulb (VW) in it. How easy is it to get hold of these things? I've looked in the swap section to no avail. Can you get them is a repop?

thanks
GB
 
They are around. I have seen them at swap Run a want ad on the V-8 Club website and on this site. You'll get responses. They are not repop'd to my knowledge.
 
Some repop cowl lights with reworked mounting would approx the look of the early aftermarket back-up lights and look a bunch better than motorcycle lights.
 
The turn signal function depends on the type of switch you have. A good unit will work just like the first cars that came from the factory with turn signals. The switch controls the rear brake lights to use them for the turn signal function. The single filament park lamps would need to have a socket change to the dual filament type like the 1156 bulb for 6-volt systems. The tail lights would just need a wiring change.

If this mod is out of the question for one reason or the other then separate lights would have to be installed and wired up.
 
We have used a few of the old standby "foxton" clamp on the column turn signal units that are easy to wire and simply interrupt the red tail light to act as a turn signal .but we do use LED light units for brightness.
 
Graeme, The original back up lamp assy that mounts to the splash pan are not re-popped as far as I know. One other option is to use the "work lamp" assy used on old tractors like 8N and some station wagons around 1950. These would look period correct and are available from Dennis Carpenter. These old tractors are very popular here and an assortment of lamps are available. Some are red and some are clear. I do not have any lamps on my 49 8N but maybe someone on this board knows the approx. diameter of them. Cheers
 
Look for a pair of Guide B-31 backup lights. They were used on GM cars in the '40s. They have a nice stainless housing with a teardrop shape. They show up on Ebay for around $50 per pair.
 

Attachments

  • backup light Guide B31.jpg
    backup light Guide B31.jpg
    7.5 KB · Views: 13
There are some similar lights on E-bay. They are in the motorcycle section. There is a larger light for $20 U.S. and a smaller one for $8 U.S. It may take some searching.
 
Use the rear brake light bulbs for turn signals with
a diode on each bulb to prevent voltage feeding back.
G.M.
 
G.M. said:
Use the rear brake light bulbs for turn signals with
a diode on each bulb to prevent voltage feeding back.
G.M.
Click to expand...

That's a possibility; but it would work only until the brakes were applied.

Thinking about this; either way you have to rewire something.

If you add extra amber lights, you have to run two wires to the rear.

If you integrate the signals with the existing lights you only
have to run one wire.

Combined with the stock lights; you won't have extra lights hanging off
the rear for a more original appearance and the signals are where following cars may expect to see them.
 
The previous owner of my car installed dual filament sockets in both the front and rear, then installed an old aftermarket turn signal switch, I then installed a small annoying buzzer on my flasher so I wouldn't be driving with the lights flashing.:eek: Still 6v pos ground.
 
Have a look at harrisonspecialties,com 6 volt led amber lights just work fine 2nd set I have brought from them can use on 6 volt positive earth by using one curcuit
 
rich b said:
That's a possibility; but it would work only until the brakes were applied.

Thinking about this; either way you have to rewire something.

If you add extra amber lights, you have to run two wires to the rear.

If you integrate the signals with the existing lights you only
have to run one wire.

Combined with the stock lights; you won't have extra lights hanging off
the rear for a more original appearance and the signals are where following cars may expect to see them.
Click to expand...

Mine is wired so that the correct (for turn) brake lights flash when turning regardless of if the brake is applied or not -Karl
 
Karl said:
Mine is wired so that the correct (for turn) brake lights flash when turning regardless of if the brake is applied or not -Karl
Click to expand...

That's the way most of the add-on (and OEM as well) turn signals are designed to work. The brake wire to the brake lights is cut and rerouted through the turn signal selector. The design of the selector allows normal brake lights when the turn signal selector is centered and uses the brake light as a turn signal when the right or left signal is selected.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top