40 Pickup Tail Lights

[Kentf1003]

Putting new tail lights on my 40 pickup. The question is, "Was it common for the license plate to be over halfway hidden by the bumper? Seems odd.

(Only the Shadow Barners will know.)

 

[alanwoodieman]

there were two tailight brackets for pick-ups, one for bumperless and one for a truck with a bumper, but I still think they were a little hidden

 

[Floyd]

Besides the bracket being different, the mounting to the stake pocket is totally different. The bumper truck does not use both of the holes that are in line with the hinge. The bracket mounts on the back side of the stake pocket and uses the upper hinge hole and another hole up higher that you must add. This positions the tailight back futher since the bumper protects it and raises the light and license plate to clear the bumper.
Been there , done that
Floyd

 

[Ken Crans]

I thought i seen one like that. Can you guys identify this rear bumper? it hugs the bed closer. I prefer the original. I'm going to use new taillights,but the same style. I'm thinking i will mount the brkt. right to the tailgate hinge bolts. The license plate will be hidden halfway. I think the original had just one light?. Ken

 

[deuce lover]

Ken,That bumper looks like a 37.Let me know if you want to sell it.My 37 PU is missing it.

 

[FRANK PKNY]

I have seen many PU trucks with bumpers blocking the license plate. The PU was not intended to have a rear bumper on it. I have heard that some people have dropdown brackets. I would love to find a set for my 39 . I made new brackets for my left tail light but never installed it because i did not want to drill three holes in the pu body brace.

 

[Marv]

Frank why not bolt a fog light bracket inverted to your bumper mounting brackets and make a licience plate bracket with a light to bolt to the fog light bracket. This way the plate can be seen and no holes drilled in your truck and your tailgate will not hit when it is let down. Marv

 

[Kentf1003]

Frank,

I've seen several pickups with no rear bumper. Now I know why. Thanks. It's a way to go.

 

[FRANK PKNY]

I am thinking of using the licence plate bracket I made. It was made on a water cutter machine from a pattern I drew up . It puts the light and bracket up higher. using the upper bolt from the tail gate hinge . I THINK that drilling one hole in the bed brace won't kill me!! The bracket makes the license plate stick out a bit to clear the side of the bed. I'll try to take a photo if the bracket and post it. My objection to this set up is the plate sticks out past the fender and would be a sure object to bump into . That's why I can't bring myself to do it. I have seen many older Ford PU's with the plate as mine in the photo.

 

[41ford1]

You can flip the brackets from side to side and invert them. I did that on my pickup to bring the plate above the bumper.

 

[FRANK PKNY]

41ford1 Are your bumper brackets the drop down style?

 

[41ford1]

The brackets do have about a 1" drop. They are car brackets since the bumper is a car type. The bumper has a third brake light behind the Ford script. Before I flipped the tail light brackets the plate was about 80% obscured by the bumper.

 

[FRANK PKNY]

Very good idea thanks I'll try it. Frank

 

[mj40's]

Mine are car brackets with a car bumper. Mounts the bumper higher but still clears the tailgate when open. The tail light bracket is too close to the bed to mount a plate bracket to the top side without hitting the bed.