The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs rear "bullet" tail lights

Does anyone know exactly where the optional bullet shaped tail lights are mounted. apparently there is a template avaiable. Most of the ones I've seen are about 4" below the belt line and as far back as possible

hay '53, there is a template for placing the tear
lights on the side. tclederman sent mine to me over the internet. maybe, he'll do the same for you.

tony'n weatherford

Tim has the template on his web site. I used it recently when I put them on my Suburban. Check the directory to find his web site.

I printed a copy, cut it out, and was careful to use the printed side first, then using the holes I made to mark the holes as reference to do the other side.

Tim, thanks a million for the template. It's just what I needed Leo

anybody know where to pick up a set of bullet lights at a deseant price.

What's a decent price? $175 for a pair?

Reproductions are now available from several vendors and on eBay. Be sure to get the two-filament bulb version if you want tail/stop/signal.

Jim Carter has them, for example.

thank you. yes i have sceen the ebay ones.just checking to see what's out there.

I spent a lot of time and energy trying to find a pair at a "good" price and was encouraged in this forum to "bite the bullet" and buy new ones. I bought a pair for about $165 and very glad I did. They are very well built and the least of the expenses associated with a rebuild. Good luck

I bought one pair at a swap meet and another as part of a parts truck. Both sets needed work and I would probably have spent less if I just bought new ones...

I bought my lights for $170. They are in excellent condition and are not repops. They have the double filament bulbs. I was surprised how heavy they are.

I just purchased a repro set. VERY well done,129.00, glass blue dot lenses,double filament sockets,nice chrome trim ring,heavy gauge body.
Marty

Marty,
Where? Commercial vendor (name please)or swaps?

Got 'em on evil bay. "Baileys Garage".
Theyre the same repros everyones selling,,he's got everyone beat,pricewise.

I got mine from Wheels of Time for $98.00 out of Philadelphia Ms. phone #601-389-5880.
I haven't been on there web site but it is WWW.wheels-of-times.com

I was ready to drill the mounting holes for my bullet rear lights using the template that Tim sent me. Well, my lights are apparently not the correct ones. They match the contour of the truck body perfectly, but the mounting holes are 5 inches apart and beside each other rather than above each other. The unit is about an inch longer than the correct one. The stainless bezel and lens are identical. Is this likely off an old car or wagon? Did the lights change during the '47 - '53 series? It does have a GM part number on it, 922144, it also says Guide made in USA. Also says OLDSIG on the top as well as the lens.

You actually have a Oldsmobile or Pontiac light. The Bullet lights that you are looking for are found on 1939 Chevy cars, 1949 - 52 Chevy/Pontiac/Oldsmobile wagons and 1948 - 1955 Panels, Canopy Express and Suburbans. Check your email. ..g

I think the unit for a Chevrolet car is a single filament lamp, but it is the same size and same mounting bolts as for a 47-55 panel body truck tail/stop lamp RPO.

The 1939 tail lights also used the double filament 1154 lamps. The only difference between the tail lights is the length of the wire, the panels used a longer pig tail. No matter what, the tail lights are interchangeable with the wagons and the panels/suburbans.

http://chevy.tocmp.com/chevyresto/3962.htm

Chevrolet http://www.donsbulbs.com/cgi-bin/r/b.pl/1154~usa.html

1939-COACH REAR-LAMP Automobile
1939-COACH STOP-LAMP Automobile
1939-SEDAN REAR-LAMP Automobile
1939-SEDAN STOP-LAMP Automobile

I did a google search and think it may be from a 38 & 39 Oldsmobile.

I think these are from a 1938 Oldsmobile

http://www.taillightking.com/images/35-50_Olds/37_OLDSIG_Olds_TLAssys.jpg

The 39 Pontiac has a removable base and a neat looking stainless trim that is on the top. When the base is removed it looks similar to the 39 Chevy lights, but has two inline studs about 4 1/2" apart.

Yep, they are the ones I have. They fit the body contour perfectly and I paid around $170 for them so I will likely put them on. I need to cut out a rubber gasket.

I saw this site when I was surfing the other day, and this guy has a bunch of stuff, a lot of repops. But his selection is great.
tailightking.com

Here I'm resurrecting my first ever post. I finally got my lights on. The rear doors will hit them if they are open 180*. I put a bolt in the upper door checks so they don't hit, but I'm surprised that they weren't engineered differently.

Thanks for that bit of info i am just about to install my'n.I am giving serious consideration to mounting them above the beltline. They don't stick out as much and it looks tidy to me.
Any thoughts Guy's?

Picked them up cheap at www.reidsrodparts.com

I chose to go another route instead of the "bullets" but before doing so I held the template up to the beltline and it "looked" like the door would not hit them.

Mine you I did not put them on so I do not know but just as a suggestion, Leo, did you use the template or put them where you wanted to?? Not being smart alec here, just trying to help.

Yes I used the template, but I have lights from a 38-39 Olds. They are supposedly interchangeable.

1953panel,

Can you post a photo of the mounting side of one of the lamp bodies?

I have original NOS lamps on my Suburban. However, the panel truck's rear-door "stops" are different from the suburban rear-door "stops". The panel stops allow the doors to open wider.

Nonetheless, I am surprised and disappointed to hear that the factory-style dual rear side-lamps hit the rear panel-doors. Let's see if we hear from other 47-55 panel-truck owners who have installed rear side lamps.

I wouldn't say they are interchangeable. 1937 OLDSMOBILE TAIL LIGHTS mount differently because of the mount that they are attached to. That brings them out at a different angle. My guess is that you compensated for the angle and moved it forward on the belt line, thus interfering with the door. But this is strictly a guess, do you have pictures?

.....When I was searching for my "door stops" I noticed there were two that looked almost alike. Leo, are you sure you have the right ones? Again, just guessing.

I have a pic somewhere around here of the different versions..... I may have gotten them off one of Tims post???

Like Tim says, my panel doors will swing out so that you could back the panel up to a dock and not hit the doors. Here is a shot of mine if it helps anyone.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/52Panel/June172009004.jpg

http://i365.photobucket.com/albums/oo91/1953panel/DSC01390.jpg

here's a shot of the Olds lights

Those ought to look good on there. I imagine it hits because the holes are different on those from the Chevy ones.

As was mentioned earlier, Burbs don't open that far. Maybe you can round up some Suburban arms.

Alvin and 1953 panel, I sent you a couple of pictures via email that shows the difference between the panel and suburban door checks.

You want to use '39 Chevy car "bullet" tail lights on your AD panel or Suburban. They mount below the beltline. Open the rear doors all the way and mark your installation spot from that vantage point. That's how I did mine 22 years ago ( before they were reproducing those lights) . The '37 Olds lights look nice but the stanchion mount will make the lights stick out further from the body.

Here is a poor picture of an A-D Panel limiter/stop

Here is a picture of an A-D Suburban limiter/stop

I had the mounting holes drilled prior to painting the vehicle. That was several years ago. This week I installed the lights, cannot change the location. I fastened a bolt in the upper door checks so the door opens only so far. Yes, my door checks are identical to Tim's photo.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9o2oG2W5-lNUxMh9M8c3Ag?feat=directlink
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/Ahgg7pS2CGCBy3ZzqXKGlw?feat=directlink

I used Tim Ledermans template. The placement looks about right to me. Lights are from a 39 Chevy car.

Weeds

Your location of the taillights looks good to me. Do you have the tailgate and not the barn doors?

wbrowne, my sub has barn doors.

Weeds

Thanks