Has anyone installed back up lights on your truck? If you did, how did it work out? I have a 1954 3100 in as close to original condition as I could get it. (12 volt, radial tires, seat belts, etc.) Backing up a night is a challenge. What did they do, hire a guy with a flash light?
I had an old Dodge Coronet when I was growing up and the back up lights just wouldn't work. I replaced the switch, but still no back up lights, so I wired a switch under the dash and would simply flip the switch when backing up. The problem with doing that on our trucks is that you would also have to figure out whether or not you want to add lights to the back of your truck. Maybe you could use those lights that go in the rolled end at the top of the bed sides and modify them to be white light instead of red. Add a switch and you are done. Andy
I've been wondering this same thing, Larry. I had a 64 that I traded for my 52. It had a toggle switch backup light system. It worked, but with my memory, too many times I'd be running down the road with my very bright backup lights on. I'm sure I freaked a few people out at stop lights! I haven't look at it, but with my floor shifter, I'm wondering if something along the lines of a "custom" mounted brake switch would work? That way I wouldn't have to remember to shut it off! What do you all think, do-able?
It Depends : ....On the tranny you have ~ column shift is pretty easy to work up a simple bracket that holds a Std. Chevrolet lever typ brake light switch . If you have a Muncie SM420 floor shift tranny , it gets a bit complicated , some folks drill & tap a hole in the lid for an internal button typ backup light switch , it is operated when the reverse shift rail pushed the ball bearing in.... (look up Muncie 420 back up light on The Internet) Me , I lucked out and in an Arizona desert junkyard I found a cherry 1967 C-10 ex - county truck that'd gone directly from service to the scrapyard (it should NOT have been scrapped ! ) , it had a Muncie SM-420 tranny with a reverse light switch in it.... (a nice 250 C.I.D. 6 Banger too) If you take the easy route and add a dash switch , be sure to either use an illuminated switch or to wire up a tattletale as leaving the backup lights on is not only unfreindly , it's also dangerous and illegal . Lastly , you can easily mount the backup lights (I highly recommend using a modern driving light) a foot or so up under the bed , this way they're pretty much invisable untill they come on and light up a LARGE swath of darkness behind you.....
Here is a shot of a switch activated by factory AD shift lever in the reverse position. In this case it is for a neutral safety switch (actually a park only switch) on a truck with an automatic but could just as easily pass current through to a backup light. The lower 2nd-3rd lever has been trimmed off so just the 1st- reverse lever is left. We use motorcycle turn signal buzzers to alert us to something being left on, usually for the after market clamp to the steering column turn signal unit.
I really like that idea. I plan to add tint to my truck windows and will need some light out back at night. Wiring up the lights would be easy for me having an automatic. My issue was finding a place to mount them. Thanks problem solved.
High Output Reversing Lamps Will require a relay of course to avaoid wearing out the switch . Plus , it relives the current draw through the ignition swith .
