The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Wiring turning signals

My '53 3100 didn't have turning signals so the dealer added big round signals on top of the front bumpers and on either side of the tailgate. Is it possible for me to wire them into the front parking and rear tail lights so I can remove those big fixtures? If so, how? Thanks

yes it can be done - the front needs 2 separate circuits, so dual filament bulbs in 2 pin sockets - the rear signals use the brake filament, which may need a change in the way the existing switch is wired, or even a different switch .... here's the TF series wiring for the setup you have .... here's the wiring when using the park/brake lights instead

Bill

Thanks, guys. The front looks like a simple job and I've ordered the conversion kit that Tim suggested. The rear looks tougher and I wonder if there's a similar conversion kit available...?

I bought a decent quality set of trailer lights and robbed the internals to make my tail lights all internal in the stock (repopped) housings..

As stated above. if you want the rears to use the same lights as brake and tail you will need an switch designed for such. The switch for separate lights can not be wired that way.

If you get a trailer, you need to be aware of how you did your truck so they match up.

Ed

I’ve used this Turn Signal Kit 12 Volt from Jim Carter in my ’53 3100. It has everything you need to convert the original light housings as well as everything else you need for the turn signal and instructions. It’s a little difficult to install, but when you’re done, you won’t see any visible difference.

The switch is a simple left-off-right toggle switch. You have to turn it off after you’ve completed your turn.

I installed it under the dashboard directly beneath the gauge cluster. You can’t see it, but it’s very easy to find without looking.

It recently stopped working, but that was because the connectors had come loose from the switch. I replaced the fork connectors with ring connectors which should hold until the screws actually fall out. You might want to do this when you first install the turn signals to avoid possible future problems.