Hi Stovebolt friends, I am new to the forum and a "new" owner of a 63 C10. I am just going through it and see that it has no factory backup lights, so it's not going to pass MA inspection requirements. From my research, it appears that it was an option for 63, but not sure what I need for parts. It's a 292 L6, with a 4 spd floor shift. Aside from lights and wiring, are all 4 spd 63's equipped with a switch to wire in to?
No, If it didn't come with the lights it would not have the switch either. It's possible the trans was swapped out at some point in it's life with another that had a switch and bracket on the replacement. If not you will need the switch, bracket, lights, and wiring. These trucks were sold as "work" vehicles and while various options were available, many didn't pay the extra few dollars to get them installed. Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes 1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes 2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans 1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
In my State, if it didn’t come with it you don’t need it. That includes turn signals, seatbelts and backup lights.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
Welcome to the 60-66 crowd. I would also be surprised if your ma inspection requires the lights that were option. You may have to learn them of the lack of optional equipment but in the end, for our inspections they are required to inspect to original equip.
~ HB 1966 Chevrolet K-10 | Ghost: formerly Flappy Fenders | In the Stovebolt Gallery 1962 Chevrolet C10 1962 Suburban
Thanks for the feedback. I happen to need a sticker for my SUV this month, so I'll ask the question. The website suggests all vehicles need them. As far as the parts go, I found another thread with details on what is needed and diagrams from an accessory manual. I will have to see if I can find them via a salvage yard or a part out.
My situation is different, but might be useful (or interesting). I own a 1963 C10 that has nonfunctioning reverse lights. I’m not sure if they were put on at the factory, or were a dealer add on. The reverse light lamp buckets are on the truck below the tail lights. I have a three speed on the column. The steering column sleeve has a reverse light switch that I show in this picture. So my truck at one time had functioning reverse lights. I suspect it was a dealer add on. I have no idea where a reverse light switch would be located on a 4 on the floor truck. None of my info directly answers your situation, but I thought I’d chime in.
The 63-66 C10-20 trucks that came with the automatic trans had provisions for the back up lights, the switch was incorporated into the factory neutral safety switch. I had a '65 C20 V8 AT that I bought new for many years, the backup lights were round, located below the tail lights. my '64 has backup lights, it is an automatic also. From my experience, the three speed column shift transmissions had provisions incorporated into the column for the accessory backup lights. The floor shift transmissions had an accessory mounted switch that attached to the top of the transmissions. The '67 four speed transmissions, which are the same as the earlier models, but are different from the '68 and later New Process transmissions, have a backup light switch built into the transmissions. Wm.
