The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay 36 gmc turn signals

I'm getting ready to wire in the headlights and was wondering what people are using park/turn signal lights. I want to reuse my original headlight buckets, not too fond of the aftermarket chrome lights w/turn signal lights in them.

I used a pair of these on my converted to 12 volt 52 GMC. They use the same H4 (9003) bulbs as my wife's Toyota. The standard bulbs in mine are a huge improvement over stock and if you don't mind being one of those SOBs that I cuss when they come down the road towards me at night, up to 100 watt versions (not DOT approved for public roadway) are available.

The glass on the front is a little flatter than a standard bulb.

You are talking about wiring headlights, asking something about parking lights, then talking about headlight buckets and turn signals.

What is your question?

What are people using for part/turn signal lights on a 1936 GMC T-14, is the main question. I was just stating that while wiring the headlights I wanted to install park/turn signal lights, Just curious as to what others have done on these early trucks as they didn't come with them.

Mine's not a '36, but I converted the parking light housings to dual filament bulb sockets and added wires for the turn signals along the original harness path from the dash area where I'll install a turn signal switch on the steering column. The stop light wires are already there, but I rerouted the brake light switch circuit back into the cab like the wiring diagram for the turn signal switch shows (Brake light switch - turn signal switch - brake lights.)
Or you can add separate turn lamps front and rear that are independent of the existing parking/tail-stop lamps. That takes a 4-wire turn signal switch versus the 7-wire arrangement I'm using.

If you look in our gallery section under 1936 light trucks, you will see about four ideas for front turn signal lights.

Some people have converted the parking lights in the 36 headlight buckets to turn signals. I just use my hand and arm.

thanks for the replies, I'll check out the photo gallery

Mine is a TF truck so the housings are a different shape, but I converted parking lights to turn signals as well. You can see how I approached that here.

35Mike

Go back and read FAST 55's original post. He said that he wanted to REUSE the original headlamp assemblies, so could indeed change out the parking light socket to a dual filament bulb. I've done that with my original single filament parking light housings on my '51 3100. Essentially the same thing.

klhansen

He said he wanted to reuse his original Headlamp buckets, not assemblies. The bucket would be what is left, after the internal parts are removed.

Below is a picture of a typical GM headlamp reflector, from the 1930s. The big bulb in the center is the headlamp bulb, dual filament for high and low beam. The small bulb is the park light. When lit, it provides a glow to the headlight, not the bright?? beam to light your path. Even if fast55 was planning to keep this system, it would not be practical to try and create a turn signal by modifying the park lamp socket in the reflector.

Mike

I'm sorry about the confusion of my post. I didn't realize that I don't have the reflector style inserts for the buckets. Somewhere along the line someone changed them before I got the truck 50 years ago. So I am putting sealed beams in the buckets. Therefore there is no parking light socket. What I'm looking for is something that I can attach to the bucket that won't look ugly. I don't want to attach them to the radiator shell. I have a 37, 1-1/2 ton parts truck here but I don't know it those reflectors will fit my buckets, they look smaller so I will have to measure them. So I hope that helps and am sorry for the confusion. I missed the the part about putting the turn signal lights in the front bumper or attaching them to the bumper support brackets. I will look into that as a solution for my dilemma. I apricate all the reply's and suggestions. I will post what I did when it happens. Thanks again everybody. This site is awesome.

FAST55: Any chance you can post a picture of the parts you have that you specifically want to use? That would help clarify exactly which pieces we are working with.

Am I reading your posts correctly that you specifically *do* want something that will attach to those buckets?

And you specifically do *not* want the sealed beam conversions with built in drl/turn signal lights? Your description of what you don't want sounded like the "angel eyes" style of sealed beam conversion was out. Would you consider other types of sealed beam conversions with extra lights?

Are you wanting something off the shelf or are you open to some custom fabrication?

This is fairly expensive, but very similar to the stock setup with modern technology.

You could also look at motorcycle style conversions since they often have more subtle turn signals built in. They come in various diameters, so you would need to find one in the diameter you need but the idea is there.

Fast55, I've seen some headlight buckets that have small pods attached to them for the turn signals / running lights.

my '37 chevy had reflectors that needed to be "re-mirrored" so I bought new reflectors (I think from Carter) made for modern 12v halogen bulbs. the park light will be used as turn signals using yellow colored led bulbs. I will lose the park light ability. I could replace the base for a dual filament bulb, but probably not. As for the conversion to the sealed beam you currently have, IMO (only) because unlike the chevy car of the same year the original truck bucket and lenses was larger at 7.5" instead of 7" like the car and the sealed beam size, IMO, the conversion adapter looks hokey. You lose the charm of the early curvature of those big lenses and often the conversion ring is too flat to look correct. That is if detail is important. I think it was filling station or chev of 40's that has the new repo tiltray lenses at $40 ea.