30 CC PU Tail Light

5

5_guy

Junior Member
I just inherited this project for my Dad. He has a 30 Closed Cab Pick Up that wants to be restored. I'm at the process of finishing the bed for him. However he doesn't remeber how the tail light assembly went. Does anyone have any photos or diagrams of how they went from light to body? Also he has right and left, all my checking says it should only have a left?

Any help is appreciated,
Thanks
 
Sorry, no pix. Been years since I restored and sold (BIG mistake) my 30 CCPU but FWIW, here's what I remember.

Trucks use a different bracket than cars. One end bolts to the back of the light and the other to the underside of a wood block under the bed. There's also a wiring shield and a license bracket (on the left and same as car) that go on back of light - IIRC, license bracket goes on first, then tail light bracket, then shield. Reproductions of all parts are available - once you have them all, it's pretty easy to see how they go together. What I don't remember is how wood block attaches to bed - I THINK two carriage bolts go down through the steel bed subrail from the top, then through the block, then through the bracket.

Only the left light is original - dunno if a right was optional back in the day. Whatever, some folks put one on. Left and right assemblies are the same except left has the license bracket and a clear lens for the license light in the bottom of the tail light body. Although some put a left body and a license bracket on the right so they can display an antique plate, club plaque, whatever. On trucks, only the tail light door is bright - everything else is painted black.

Hope this helps.
 
Here's a couple of photo's of a '31 narrow bed tail light assembly. Yes, the two carriage bolts do go through the bed frame, block of wood, the bracket, then washers and nuts. Bevel the repro wood block to fit the curve of the inner radius of the bed frame so it fits straight when you tighten up bolts.
 
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This picture is to show the correct sheet metal piece that goes behind the light to shield the wire. These used to be available as a repro and I can only assume they still are available. The wire should be encased in a fabric loom. Ignore the incorrect things shown in the picture. The taillight bucket should be black and the license plate should be mounted below the taillight. I would suggest running two lights for safety.

Charlie Stephens
 

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Charlie Stephens, was the license bracket turned upside down to get better visibility of the license plate? I was thinking of doing that to mine as well, but it looks like the plate would hit the bed.
 
CarlG said:
Charlie Stephens, was the license bracket turned upside down to get better visibility of the license plate? I was thinking of doing that to mine as well, but it looks like the plate would hit the bed.
Click to expand...

Yes. I also have a rear bumper and it blocks the view of the plate from the rear. Note that the plate is not centered in the bracket so it misses the bed.

Charlie Stephens
 
CarlG said:
I was thinking of doing that to mine as well, but it looks like the plate would hit the bed.
Click to expand...

And it wouldn't be lit unless you also turned the light bucket upside-down. Maybe not a problem if you don't drive your truck at night but probably illegal.
 
Charlie Stephens said:
Yes. I also have a rear bumper and it blocks the view of the plate from the rear.
Click to expand...

Course, pickups didn't come with a rear bumper originally. Does it serve any purpose other than aesthetics? I suppose it affords some protection to the ends of the fenders. But it doesn't do anything for the bed since it doesn't extend past the tail gate (unless you have longer brackets). Not criticizing - just wondering.
 
I do have a full (front style) bumper on the rear, and the brackets have been extended just so that the bumper is the same distance back as the tail gate is, but it does indeed hide the license tag.
 
CHuDWah said:
Course, pickups didn't come with a rear bumper originally. Does it serve any purpose other than aesthetics? I suppose it affords some protection to the ends of the fenders. But it doesn't do anything for the bed since it doesn't extend past the tail gate (unless you have longer brackets). Not criticizing - just wondering.
Click to expand...
I know it is not original. Mine had a rear bumper when I got it and I just kept it. If and when I restore the truck the bumper will go. The brackets extend it beyond the tailgate so it protects the bed.

Charlie Stephens
 
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