Hello, I am looking for ideas for taillights for my '57 Suburban, which currently has the OEM lights. The important thing is that I want to have amber turn signals and white back-up lights, as well as, of course, the red brake and tail, and I am looking for ideas on how to achieve that. I do not want to do any bodywork. I could keep the OEM lights (adding other lights) or remove the OEM lights altogether to replace them. My truck has kind of a "rat" finish, so "goofy" ideas are welcome too; I would like parts that look kind of "period" (no modern, sleek, LED, taillights). '59 Cad taillights have been done too much, so no need to mention those! Although I do like them... So, what do you think? Thanks!
Trailer lights, although they would not support backups.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
wave - In following the thought track of "(adding other lights)", below is a pic from UK Bolter "Andrew Sales" from back in 2018 with his 1959 Suburban "School Bus". You can see the added turn signal light below the existing tail light assembly. Basically a front marker/signal light with a yellow lens which are readily available form various vendors. If you really want to continue the theme, add a third same type marker lamp with a clear lens as your back up light directly below the turn signal fixture in a vertical 1 - 2 - 3 pattern. Those lights look kinda OEM or period correct IMHO.
Last edited by Gdads51; 05/06/20252:49 PM. Reason: spelling
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Thanks, Gdads51, that is an idea I had already. I came asking here to see what else (maybe a bit more "fun"...) you guys could come up with. If nothing else, that is the route I will go. That kind of lights are actually not that rare here in France, even still used on new land Rovers!
This is what was on the '55 when I got it. I have no idea if they are original or if not what they came from. Two lights on each side in one housing. I'm guessing the back-up lights are mounted under the bumper. I haven't gotten to wiring yet but it does have a turn signal switch.
Those look like '58 Chevy car rear lamps to me. I think they were available with a clear lens for backup lights. The Impala lights had 3 bulbs on each side, with the center being a backup light.
Last edited by Bill Hanlon; 05/06/202510:27 PM.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12 '52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
