Turn Signals

Tom F OHIO

Tom F OHIO

Well-known member
I would like to add turn signals to my 52 Ford 2dr sedan customline. I do have the arrows in the dash. I don't know what to buy or where at. can anyone help me out on this. Thanks
 
Tom F OHIO said:
I would like to add turn signals to my 52 Ford 2dr sedan customline. I do have the arrows in the dash. I don't know what to buy or where at. can anyone help me out on this. Thanks
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.The 49-50 Fords had a clamp on steering column turn signal switch SXTS-B so I think the '51-'52 Fords had a built in under steering wheel either option or maybe by then it was law.I think in Ohio 1953 was the year they were mandatory.So I had a '53 F-100 that had the built in switch under steering wheel and these come on Ebay all the time so mayby it is for the '52 Ford cars also.My point is find by googling the correct Ford part number for 1952 Ford turn signal switch and search on Ebay.
 
You can use the aftermarket signal switches that clamp to your column. Lots of new ones on e-Bay. You will also be able to use the green arrows in your dash by splicing into the front or rear signal wires and getting a couple of small sockets and bulbs to put in the dash openings for the arrows. Not familiar with the dash in a 52, but the sockets may already be there.
 
My '51 came, from the factory with full turn signals installed. I have the original invoice, and they are listed as a factory option on it. Mine are fully built in. I have always wondered about this, but never did anything, because my car already had working signals. If I were you, the first thing is find someone with a appropriate "Green Bible", and see if Ford lists one or two wiring harnesses for your car. If there's only one, I'd think your about 90% home. Signals were so prevalent by 1952 that I would expect Ford installed them into close to 100% of the cars that left the factory. I would bet that the parking and taillights already have two base sockets and maybe even the bulbs. It would be interesting to see what they have done with the indicators.

Unless someone on here has been through this before and actually knows, I think it's about time to get in there and take a good look to see what's actually already been installed. It may be as simple as obtaining and installing the guts of the steering wheel unit as posted above.
 
Here are a couple pictures from the back. Where the arrows are at there is a rectangle glass. Maybe the bulbs are inside the dash I have no idea. IMG_20250612_101319858.jpg

IMG_20250612_101349536.jpg
 
Not as good as I would have hoped. It looks like the indicators need to be added. This means that you will have to get in there and muck with the original wires. They look pretty good now, but a couple of sharp bends and watch out. If you check further and find only single terminals on the parking and taillight sockets, It probably means a complete new harness to do it properly. Ugh.
 
Newc said:
52/53 should have factory turn signals, I have some 53 parts. newc
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Everything I've seen on his car (and my '51) tell me that's not always so.

Your parts could come in handy, though.

Also, I think pulling a parking light or taillight bulb might tell us a lot.
 
You can pick up NOS factory turn signal kits on ePay from time to time. I got kits for my '51 and '53 convertibles from ePay. The '55 kit is backwards compatible, I fitted one to my '51 Fordor back in the late '80's.
 
If you have taillights and brake light sand theirs only one bulb per side. I'd have to think you have a double filament bulb. Could be wrong about the number of lights in rear.
 
TJ said:
A 52 would have the dual filament bulb.
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Unless you have actually seen one, I think that's an assumption that has to be checked out. From what I've read here, this guy has genuine '52 Ford that came from the factory without turn signals, and unless you've seen one in the flesh before, blanket statements aren't a good idea.

Let's see what he actually finds.
 
Ok, I just found out that I have two wires going to each socket. The parking lights and the back brake lights all 4 have dual filament bulbs. I hope this is good.
 
Tom F OHIO said:
Ok, I just found out that I have two wires going to each socket. The parking lights and the back brake lights all 4 have dual filament bulbs. I hope this is good.
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It has been a very long time since I owned a '52 Ford, (my son owns it now and is in storage.) I came close to installing signals once, and I think I remember all that was missing was the switch and flasher. Don't hold me to this, I could be wrong. (again)
 
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