Turn signals but keeping single element bulb
- Thread starter edhd58
- Start date
Mart
Well-known member
You would need to swap out your headlights for those that incorporate a parking light. (We call them side lights here in the UK) the type of headlamp you need is the type fitted to early Minis.
You can then use your existing parking light base as a turn signal.
Now get this (I only found these recently) some of these modern mini bikes use a very small 21W indicator bulb, that fits in an early ford side (parking) light base.
This is exactly what I did on my 41 pickup.
Side lights incorporated into the headlamps and 21W orange indicator bulbs in the old side light holders (above the headlamps on the 41).
Mart.
You can then use your existing parking light base as a turn signal.
Now get this (I only found these recently) some of these modern mini bikes use a very small 21W indicator bulb, that fits in an early ford side (parking) light base.
This is exactly what I did on my 41 pickup.
Side lights incorporated into the headlamps and 21W orange indicator bulbs in the old side light holders (above the headlamps on the 41).
Mart.
ford38v8
Well-known member
I'd never heard that phrase before, but I'd strongly advise that you don't absentmindedly clap your hands!
I don't know about Kentucky laws, but a white lens facing forward cannot be used as a turn signal in California.
meric42
Well-known member
C&G sell a dual filament socket for the '42 - '46 park light so you don't have to modify anything and still keep the original look.
https://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/fordpart.php?number=21A-13235-R
https://cgfordparts.com/ufolder/fordpart.php?number=21A-13235-R
TJ
Well-known member
I'd never heard that phrase before, but I'd strongly advise that you don't absentmindedly clap your hands!
I don't know about Kentucky laws, but a white lens facing forward cannot be used as a turn signal in California.
Unless they have changed the law you can certainly have a white light facing forward and used as a turn signal. You cannot have a white light facing rearward.
I have that on my cars for years. I use relays. Double pole, double throw. Un intergised, the current comes from the light switch. When the relay is grounded, the relay disconnects the light feed and connects the turn signal flasher lead. I have parking lights that switch to turn signals with one filament. My stop lights are using the same system.
flatford8
Well-known member
Ther’re only on when you’re backing up........not on when your going down the road.....If your not a fireman or a cop, you can’t have a red or blue light facing forward.....I got stopped on my motorcycle with them......Mark
Pete
BANNED
Just rewire the parking lights to the turn signal switch.
You can use the original tail lights by rewiring but put 32/50 bulbs in.
I have done similar conversions like you are doing to several different cars.
I have used the switch from a 55/56 Ford pickup by cutting the column tube only, below the dash mount and grafting the 55/56 upper piece on.
Some simple machine work on the steering wheel hub and you can press the cancelling sleeve on to the hub. This will give you the self cancelling feature.
edhd58
Well-known member
I'd never heard that phrase before, but I'd strongly advise that you don't absentmindedly clap your hands!
I don't know about Kentucky laws, but a white lens facing forward cannot be used as a turn signal in California.
The entire saying is wishing in one hand s&^$$#@g in the other and seeing which one fills up the fastest.
Paul Bennett
Well-known member
Andy - #6 - times two
Graeme / New Zealand
Well-known member
edhd58. Yes I went with the part from C&G that Meric 42 quotes. The part number fits all the "fatty Fords" from 42 to 48 as well as Mercs and "jail bar trucks". Just get under the fender and twist out the factory bulb holder and replace with the 2 fillament plug....now you've got your 2 wires
I used Ford accessory back up lights for rear turn signals with 6v orange VW bulbs and clear orange plastic from a kitchen cleaner bottle behind the bulb to give the light some spread. Here's a pic of the rear, the front just looks stock with no hint that there are turn signals lurking behind the park lights.
I used a Trucklite/signal Stat 900 type switch that bolts to the steering column. Wiring instructions come with the switch, easy to follow. If I could wire them up any dumb " see you next Tuesday" can do it.
GB
I used Ford accessory back up lights for rear turn signals with 6v orange VW bulbs and clear orange plastic from a kitchen cleaner bottle behind the bulb to give the light some spread. Here's a pic of the rear, the front just looks stock with no hint that there are turn signals lurking behind the park lights.
I used a Trucklite/signal Stat 900 type switch that bolts to the steering column. Wiring instructions come with the switch, easy to follow. If I could wire them up any dumb " see you next Tuesday" can do it.
GB
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Frank Miller
Well-known member
My 49 Ford has white forward facing turn signals that use the one filament bulb in the parking light. Even your rear lights use the same filament for bake and turn so it is just a matter of getting the right controller and wiring it up.
TJ
Well-known member
Back up lights are the exception. Can't have white light facing rearward when going forward on the road.
redmodelt
Well-known member
My 48 F2 had turn signals installed at some point by my Great Uncle. The parking lights have double contact offset pin sockets installed. If you are still running 6 volts the bulb brake/tail light number is 1158, it's a double contact with even pins.
If you just install the double contact pigtail and have even pins, you will need to install the bulbs to light the correct filament.
While I was driving it as my every day rig I noted that oncoming people did not seem to see the white parking lights flashing for a turn. I used some amber glass stain to color the bulbs, I could see the results the same day. Oncoming people at the intersections could see I was making a left turn because they saw the correct color. In Oregon it is red brake/turn to the rear and amber to the front.
If you just install the double contact pigtail and have even pins, you will need to install the bulbs to light the correct filament.
While I was driving it as my every day rig I noted that oncoming people did not seem to see the white parking lights flashing for a turn. I used some amber glass stain to color the bulbs, I could see the results the same day. Oncoming people at the intersections could see I was making a left turn because they saw the correct color. In Oregon it is red brake/turn to the rear and amber to the front.
