The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1935-1939 Original Style Tail Lamps...

I decided to purchase the right tail lights for my 39 truck, and I have a question as to how they work, since there is only a single filament bulb, and the truck is wired for a running light and stop lamp for both sides with the 1940 style lamps...

Basically the truck only came with a left hand light with two, one filament bulbs. I think some folks buy two left lights and plug the license hole in the right light housing. The housing was used from early cars and stuck on trucks. Bottom line is that you are missing something for the lower bulb. See pix.
I must say you are launching into a very primitive design. Not reliable. Subject to vibration, moisture, corrosion, bad connection, grounding issues.....and you are in Florida!
Brace for headaches.

Thank you for the clarification, it looks like I will have to return the R/H tail lamp and get another L/H one, darn! I thought I would modify the new one with new sockets, but that would be a major pain in the neck... I understand what you mean about the weather here, it is not ideal, even more so for the other truck...

I don't really understand. Are you saying that they sell a left and a right and that the right hand version only has one bulb?....and the left has two?

You're absolutely correct, and perhaps the reason why you can only find the R/H tail light, and the L/H is on backorder everywhere...

Phillip, just hold on a minute. You may be OK.
1. Do you have a left and a right?
2. Can you post a pic's of each? Inside and out? Bottom view especially. Good pics of each and the bulb socket without a bulb. Don't need pics of light with lens on it. Take lens off.

I only have the right side for now, waiting on the other to arrive... You can see clear photos in the above photos, but it is an odd set up specially for the lower bulb on the left tail light...

I'm asking because if a company is selling a specific left and a specific right, they must know that they will be used for running lights and for stop/turn. Having the left light with two one filament bulbs makes sense. That way they have a license light/tail light on bottom.....and a stop/turn on top.
For the right, which you say you have, and I thought was missing something, may be actually set up for one dual filament bulb. That would work.

1. Wait for the left to be delivered.
2. Does the right have a hole in bottom?
3. Didn't you get instructions or a picture to tell you what the hanging copper strip does?
4. Did you put that bulb in?
5. Is there some info you haven't shared?
6. What is the part number and vendor of the one you have? and......what is the part number and vendor of the one you are waiting for?

Jim Carter or Classic trucks do not seem to sell them as left/right.

Contact the vendor you got the light from, you're missing the "Tail Light" socket (defective part). Get them to confirm it should have two single filament sockets just like the left side.

Also, the Passenger car housings are not the same as truck, the truck BOW TIE lens is 5" tall the car CHEVROLET lens (for the cars that used that style light) is 4-5/8" tall.

The lens should have the convex circular area to the top with the Stop Light shining through it and the reflex markings at the bottom for the Tail Light/Tag Light.

Mike B

I purchased the lights from Carter's...These are GM approved reproduction parts apparently, but now I am learning that it is missing the lower socket? Oh boy... It surely looked strange to me to see a copper tab on the bottom and nothing else, and yet having a way to power it from the backside... At least these are correct @ 5" tall...

I just dug out my two original L/H tail lamps and still fail to see how you'd install a second bulb to illuminate the licence plate.... Second one is gutted, so it is almost useless. Cropped photo posted by Bartamos is not clear enough to see the socket detail...

You remember I said primitive right? The hole has a rubber grommet. Lower section of housing has a copper strip going down near a "L" bracket/strip of spring beryllium copper. Which has a phenolic insulator on the top side and a hole for the bulb contact to stick thru. The bulb base is grounded by touching the bottom side of the "L" bracket. You wedge the bulb between the grommet and the "L" strip. Which pushes the "L" strip and the bulb contact up against the copper strip, which is connected to the second wire terminal.
I am going by what I see in pics. Don't have a light to look at in my hand but that is close to how it works.

NOT WORTH TWO CENTS TO HAVE AS A TRUSTED BRAKE-TAIL-TURN rear light. Especially now that it is Chinese.

I advise a light like the ones you are probably taking off. It's a military troop carrier, who knows what it had on the back.

If you must have the look, you will need to modify the housing with a "modern" dual bulb socket, as you said earlier. I could do it but it would be semi-pricey.

I have asked you if you have instruction and you did not answer. I asked if the right side had a hole in the bottom, didn't get that answer either. You pic is cut off at the bottom. I asked for all kinds of more pics. Didn't get those either. Are you reading our responses? Do you want help or not?
I see the one you have has the copper strip going down to the lower area. It also has a insulator. I am guessing that on the underside, which I can't see, there is a hole in the insulator for the lower bulb contact to touch the copper strip. I don't see how the bulb base gets grounded unless that other piece that I said is and insulator is actually metal so that the base touches it and gets grounded. I think it's still a "wedge" the bulb situation down there. Maybe you have an extra part floating around the box. AGAIN, better pics and any instructions you received would help.

I have the same light on my '37 (singular, as in I only have the left tail light and do not have signal lights). Bartamos has described the set up correctly in terms of contacts and grounds. I would quibble slightly with his characterization of the soundness of this design, but ultimately he may be right. I have an original in rough shape (made by Guide), so I got a reproduction from one of our vendors. After having done 2 frame off restorations (close to stock as possible within reason), I have had my frustrations with foreign reproductions. That said, I must say this tail light is a very good copy of the original. My light has functioned perfectly for two years and 1200 miles. Yes, this truck is as close to a trailer queen as I dare, but it has seen it's share of dust with occasional wash without fail. If Phillipe wants to go this route I would not shame him. I was not aware that a reproduction for the right side was available, which would not have the tail light bulb protruding from the top like the left one, to light the license plate.
Philippe, I have attached a picture of my light so that you can see how the bulb lights the license plate. Your pictures display the lights upside down. I guess you could use a left light on the right, it would just stream a bit of light upward. Perhaps one could seal that hole with black painted aluminum foil and nobody would notice, except you.
Kent

Hello Bartamos,

Thank you for the explanation and my apologies for not answering all your questions... I thought that the photos I posted before were clear enough to give you the answers you seek. I did not get any instructions with the tail lamp unfortunately... So to summarise, the R/H tail light:

1- Does not come with instructions for installing from the vendor
2- Does not have a hole on the bottom

I hope that the close up photo of the interion answers your question...

Hello Kent,

Thank you for your input and photo of your truck with original set up... There are some many variations and modifications over the years that it can drive you insane if you're not a Chevy guy... I'm not; I'm slowly learning with 2 (1939 1.5 ton trucks) As it turns out the one L/H light on my close cab 39 was installed with the hole for the license plate facing down... The other one was done the same way but with no license plate bracket...

Philippe,
This design does not have a regular socket for the tail light bulb. In your picture the copper strip is the power lead which should rest against the back end of the bulb. The left light has a hole, lined by a rubber grommet and the bulb is press fit between the grommet and a grounded L shaped piece that contacts the base. Then this copper strip presses against the bulb contact at the base to complete the circuit. If there is no socket or other device to hold the bulb, you need to return it to the vendor. The other alternative is modify the light to accept a two filament bulb but you shouldn't have to do that. Maybe this is just a one off dud, that missed a step in manufacture. If not, this is sad.
Kent

Hello Kent,

It sure is looking like the R/H tail lamp I have is defective from the factory, missing a second socket/bulb holder... I will call the vendor tomorrow and schedule a return of a defective lamp... Thank you for the help here...

Albeit "original", I guess, I would not place a hole up because rain comes down.
If only taken out on one of our AZ sunny days, no problem. That would be 364 days per year.
I've seen Kent's trucks in person. Concourse quality.

I know the car version of this light had a weep hole (1/8" maybe) at the bottom of the bucket close to the lens trim ring to allow condensation or rain water to drain out. I assume the trucks would be the same...anyone with an original light care to see if they have that hole?

The parts book lists different tail lamp assemblies for tag above and tag below, which leads me to believe the weep hole location is the difference.

Mike B

Mike,
My original has the weep hole at the bottom, exactly 1/8 inch. My reproduction does not. I guess I will be getting out my drill.
Kent

Both my original L/H truck headlamps have small holes drilled next to the large license plate lamp, which also would indicate that they would illuminate the plate downwards...

To answer Bartamos again,

1- I will wait for the L/H to be delivered...
2- R/H tail lamp has no holes of any kind
3- No instructions of any kind
4- Bulb came with the lamp (SINGLE FILAMENT)
5- Sharing all info I have...
6- Part number for R/H tail light is LG158R, sold by CARTE'RS TRUCKS. L/H part number is LG158...

Thanks Philippe.

Back 20 years ago I received the rear reproduction lights for my 37 and they both had the hold in the top. The do have the drain holes in them so i put a bulb/grommet in the right side, painted the bulb and its been going strong for over 20 years..... and while don't drive it in the rain intentionally I've been caught in the rain many times and so far no problem.
....not telling what reproduction is like today?!

As it turns out (LG 158R) R/H tail lamp is only supposed to have a single socket with a single filament bulb according to the vendor...

Well, buy two left's. Plug the hole on the right and wire them both for Tail and Stop/Turn. Example................or don't plug it. Up to you.

You can rotate lens 180 to put the Fresnel over either bulb.

I still say modify to modern socket. No one will know. Will look original. For that option you buy a left and a right.

Which way is up?

As I said. J. Carter says the tail light was so popular in the 31-32 cars, that they used them in later trucks. The cars had the license under the light and I guess due to the configuration of the space and visibility, the truck has the license on top. The original truck license plate bracket seems like it can only be used above the light.

In 1933 the car went: License up.

I'm not buying it...why would they put the second copper lead in if there wasn't supposed to be a socket there.

Did you speak directly to Jim Carter or one of his sales guys?

Mike B

Big Bolts had the light mounted to the frame and the tag under the light.

Mike B

I did get a message from one of his Gals, that there is no hole in the right light. So maybe no bulb. My guess the reason for the copper strip is it is a subassembly. Possibly automated. Possibly supplied by a subcontractor. So cheaper to have one part number/one process for both.

It does seem very strange that J. Carter says they have "developed " a set of lights. Knowing that folks want two lights so as to have tail and stop/turn......and then not provide that. Very strange. But also hard to believe a whole operation for rivet on bulb holder could be missed at assembly.

So, seems like we need someone that has an original truck right side tail light assembly to open it up and take a picture for us to see...I have car, but according to Carters they are different...still not buying it...

Mike B

Not sure an "original" had a right light. Several on the internet with no right light.
I like to figure out electrical/mechanical issues but not early truck experienced. I try to use stovebolt and the internet to help me. I have exhausted my usefulness on this one. Unless Philippe wants to do a new socket thing.

I'm with you there Bartamos, why state that you have developed something new, when you're just (almost) copying originals... Or maybe perfectly copying them...:) I say almost since, no one with a 5" original lamp has come fwd to nail the fact that it had two sockets or one... All being said, I'm almost certain now it only had one.

Mike B is certainly correct stating that big bolts had the plate under the light...

I'm glad you are with me but I don't know what I said that makes any sense.

I've been researching the Truck Right Side Tail Light and I can't find any info on whether they ever existed.

Does anyone have a copy of the 1939 Accessory Parts Book? Was the right tail light available for the trucks?

If they were never available new from Chevrolet and Jim Carter took the time to make one to have available for his customers to be safer driving in modern times, why would he make it a single lamp???

If that's all they sell, I'd find another socket and rivet a bracket inside the bucket to support the new socket and wire it up.

Mike B

The above is what I don't get either.

Carter has
1. Separate left and right light for 34-39
2. A right tail light bracket for 34-36 (he says "rare" which connotes original)
3. A left license-low tail light bracket for 34-36
4. A left license-high tail light bracket for 37-39
5. A right tail light bracket for 37-39. This note added to description: "In 1937-38, the factory did not offer a right tail light. Few vehicles on the road had them, They were a dealer installed accessory!".....is it a typo to leave off 1939 or does it mean 1939 had this bracket from the factory?

Chevrolet never made or offered a right side lamp or bracket for any truck of this period. The first I know of is for the AD trucks '47 and later. Until I ran across this thread, I did not know that Jim Carter was offering a RH lamp with no hole for illumination of the license plate. I checked my catalog, and sure enough, there it was. My guess is that, after a number of inquiries, Jim decided to offer a "fantasy" Accessory RH lamp to go with his "fantasy" RH bracket. The bracket is a dopey looking item with a meaningless continuation of the vertical strap sticking up, for no reason other that to display the CHEVLITE stamping. My guess is that the RH lamp was quickly created by eliminating the hole, with no thought given to the fact that you could no longer install the appropriate bulb.
I make some parts for Jim, including the flexible conduit that protects the tail/stop lamp wires and the clip that holds the conduit at the lamp end. I also make the cab mounting kits for '31/'36(hr) and '36(lr)/'38, as well as the horn wire conduit.
As for the reliability of the original design of the subject lamp, I have had the Car version on my 1935 Chevy for 45 years and had a pair of originals on my '36 1-1/2 ton truck for a few years before converting them to LED. I had no issues of reliability on either of them. Admittedly, the design LOOKS totally sketchy, it just turns out that it works. My 6 volt LED kit came from The Filling Station. I installed them in lamp buckets that were damaged beyond restoration to original operation. They are FANTASTIC!!
I will call Jim tomorrow to learn the origin and thinking behind his ill conceived RH lamp.
I am fortunate to have a substantial stash of original lamps and have had no need for one of Jims reproductions. I just inverted a LH lamp and installed it on the RH side and ignored the open hole, now facing down. I made my RH bracket from damaged remnants of a LH bracket.
Philippe, Wasn't there an original lamp on the fire truck when you got it from me? Might have been too rough to use.

Mike

Hello Mike!

Yes, there was a tail lamp on the left side, rough but useable, but since I decided to have an extra lamp, I wanted a nice matching set... As for Jim's R/H tail lamp, I think it is a great idea, I just wished it would have been more thought into it by adding an additional socket to make it functional/more modern... I will be using two L/H lights to have tail/brake lamps on both sides...

As for the LED lamp conversions from the filling station, I only found the one below which is listed for cars, and therefore smaller than the 5" big truck lamp, so I cannot use with my original buckets...

The kit I used was an LED board that went behind the original lens. They might not be available any more. The same kit would fit the car and truck lamps. I have them on my '36 truck and '35 car.

Mike

Thanks for jumping in Mike and offering to talk to Jim to sort this all out!

BTW, what model is your '35 car?

Mike B