The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Side Marker Lights on a '53 3100?

I'm going to upgrade lights on the truck for improved visibility and safety. I have the Sylvania halogen sealed beams, added dual filament bulbs to the front park lights to add turn signals, the taillights are being upgraded as part of the custom bed. So all that is taken care of.

I noticed there are absolutely no lights anywhere on the sides of the truck...so it got me thinking about how to add front and rear side marker lamps. After considering marker lamps from a number of vehicles, I have sort of (not totally) decided on this.

Use the '53 front marker lamp assemblies as side marker lamps. Install one in each fender. In the front, about the level of the bottom of the headlight, forward of the wheel well. In the real, behind the wheel well and maybe a little lower on the fender.

Thinking about it, they are the style of the truck and original to the truck (just not for that use). I can wire them for both side markers and turn signals. Use the stock clear lens, with 1157A bulbs in front and 1157R bulbs in the back...for the proper amber and red illumination.

In my opinion, it is the least intrusive way to install side marker lamps and it won't hurt the style of the truck.

Thoughts anyone?

Has anyone added side marker lamps?

You would have to cut holes in the fenders(not something I would do, but it is your truck) Add some wire. It is doable however, the last vehicle I owned with side markers in about the same location was a Jeep. It was less than 1 year before the road crap tore the wires off the lights. I fixed those lights and wires for over 20 years. Every year. You could get the accessory lights that are round and mount on top of the fender. They were how the dealer installed turn signals were put on back in the day. They have plenty of room to cut an opening for side markers if you want to keep the look and have marker lights. I had some of these little gems on my truck made mostly of rust. Beyond my skills to fix. They are almost 1 1/2 deep front to back and would accept a modification for the markers you want:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251817342759?rmvSB=true
There are other makers. Some have plain yellow lenses and some have a lens on the front and the back. This is what went for signal lights at the time. The arrows are just fancy I guess.

Check out the 1947-55 Advance-Design Gallery. If you find a truck with side lights, please post a link to it.

can't imagine why, certainly wouldn't call it an "upgrade"

Bill

To answer some of the questions and comments above...

I have seen the dealer installed turn signals on top of fenders and my reaction to those has always been..."ummm NO" LOL

Cutting holes in the fenders for the lights? No big deal. my fenders suffered through decades of farm work and they show it. I'm going to have to straighten and patch, so a hole for a side marker light is just part of it.

I'm not so concerned about the wires being under the fenders. The headlight wires are under the front fenders and if properly secured have no problems...so the side marker light wires should be okay. ...and I'm not planning on going off read like a Jeep.

I realize that there are not many, if any, AD trucks that have side marker lights...and I'm okay with that. When my custom bed is complete, the tail lights and third brake light are going to be unique to my AD truck. Unique is not a bad thing as long as it compliments the styling of the truck. (my opinion)

Why? I am going to drive my truck, maybe not daily, but it will be on the road and going regularly. My plan is to enjoy it as much as possible. So I am making "upgrades" for comfort, reliability and safety. I think side markers are necessary when driving at night for visibility. (again my opinion)

Overall, anything I add, I want it to look like it could have been standard equipment on the truck (even if it wasn't available at the time) so the overall style of the AD truck (which I think is a work of art) is not compromised.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts...all are appreciated.

I think its not a bad idea actually! Just use a cable protection hoze to make sure your wires wont be teared up when driving in dirt.

If you decide to do it, i'd love to see pictures

Suggest the small halogens found at truck stop accessory displays. I have them in the running board as the lip turns up next to the cab in a 3100 series truck. White up front Amber in the back. Drill a small hole and stick them on.

The purpose of side marker lights is to indicate the presence of the vehicle as viewed from the side. Thus, they would need to be near the front and near the rear, with both being high enough to be noticed. That somewhat limits where you can put them on your Advance Design truck. You have stated that you don't care for the period aftermarket turnsignals, although I think that would look fine and you could stick one of those small halogen or LED lights out the side of the housing. Another alternative for the front would be to see if one could drill a hole in the side of the headlight ring and fit a small light there. Reproduction rings are available and you wouldn't be cutting a hole in the fender.
At the rear, some people like to put lights in the circular bed rail hole at the rear. Perhaps you could modify one to stick out the back and point sideways. That would also be a modification that could be reversed, if desired.
For a daily...I mean nightly driver, I think your idea has merit.
Kent