The Stovebolt.com Forums Home | Tech Tips | Gallery | FAQ | Events | Features | Search
9 - 11 Memorials

Searching the Site - a click away
click here to search
New here ??? Where to start?
Click on image for the lowdown. Where do I go around here?
====
Who's Online Now
5 members (Johnny Rib, Otto Skorzeny, dwreills, Wickedbass, TooMany2count), 114 guests, and 3 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics128,036
Posts1,055,461
Members48,422
Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026
Step-by-step instructions for pictures in the forums
Brad Allen's photos

AD Chevy Trucks

Pictures galore
Over 6,000 pictures

Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips.

Check them out!

Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!

Big Thanks!

THANKS!

For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for

over 30 years!

and not clogged down
with Ads!


Again, thanks!

Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#1151956 02/25/2016 1:56 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
T
New Guy
New Guy
T Offline
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Hi ALL. When I purchased my 53 3800 it had an add on turn signal with those big ugly lights mounted to the top of the front fenders. I have refinished the fenders and don't really want to put holes in them again. Is there any way to convert the park lights and use them as front turn signal lights? Please help!!!!

TerTer #1152040 02/25/2016 8:06 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,062
Big Bolt Forum Moderator
Big Bolt Forum Moderator
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,062
you can normally change the socket in the housing to accept the 1157 park/turn signal bulbs. I did that on some rear housings. I got sockets with a base on the bottom and tack-welded them in place of where the originals were.


Mike
1955 Chevy 6400 ex-flatbed (no bed now!) sold September 2023
In the Stovebolt Gallery
1958 Chevy 6400 flatbed W/dump
In the Stovebolt Gallery
1959 Chevy Suburban Owned for almost 20 years, Daily Driver -- sold May 2016
In the Stovebolt Gallery

Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof
TerTer #1152057 02/25/2016 9:41 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,596
B
'Bolter
'Bolter
B Offline
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,596
Most of the vendors for our trucks sell a simple conversion kit (this is the one I used).
http://www.classicparts.com/
Item 47-905 $7 bucks.

Last edited by Brad Allen; 02/25/2016 9:42 PM.
TerTer #1152064 02/25/2016 10:43 PM
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,747
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,747
This is pretty much what I did. My contacts came out of a tail light assy from another truck(newer) but the socket was easy to change.
Link for the part: http://www.classicparts.com/1947-59-Double-Contact-Conversion-Kit/productinfo/47-905/#.Vs90uZwrK1s
Was not hard and yes those round lamps on the fender are ugly.


Steve H
TerTer #1152090 02/26/2016 3:51 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
T
New Guy
New Guy
T Offline
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Thank you all for your input. I had planned o get a wiring harness. I see Classic Parts has them for 149.00. For you folks that have used them....How good are the instructions? I am not an electrical wizard and can't read a electrical diagram. Is this something a guy like me could manage? Thank you all for your comments. I am happy to learn that the part lights to turn signals is possible.

TerTer #1152252 02/27/2016 2:55 AM
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,747
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,747
i have looked at the harness from Classic as well. It might be on my short list for spending this year. As to how hard it is to change a harness? That depends on what you are prepared to do. Can you get the dash apart? Can you get to the grommets? Are you willing to drain the radiator if need be? I know you can cut the grommet and get it around the temp gauge line, but that might not work for every install. Can you get under the head liner(got a wire up there for the dome light). Can you get behind the seat, and under the gas tank? Yep a wire under there as well. The question is not a bad one. The process is not that hard. But, and this matters. Are you ready to get to all of the places wire lives? Take your time. Get stuff out of the way. Take notes. Follow the old harness as best as you can. Not a bad, or tough project. It will take time. Call Classic. Ask if the wire has identifiers on it. You can do this. Remove the battery. Did I tell you to remove the battery? The thing about any project, if you do just one(yours) it will take more time than if you do a dozen(for others). Little things can be a PITA. Clips, grommets, light holders, and stuff I have forgotten. Don't let that stuff bother you. It happens to all of us. A tip, learned the hard way(aren't they all?) Tie a bit of string to the wire to the dome light. When you pull it out, you will have something to pull the new one back with. Enjoy.


Steve H
TerTer #1153116 03/03/2016 2:29 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
T
New Guy
New Guy
T Offline
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Great tips here from Steve. Thank You


Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Home | FAQ | Gallery | Tech Tips | Events | Features | Search | Hoo-Ya Shop
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 8.0.0