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Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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| | | | Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 11 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Feb 2008 Posts: 11 | I’m working on the front end of a 1948 GMC COE. Someone in the past mounted turn signal lamps on top of the front fenders. They don’t look good at all. And, they’re coming off.
The factory signals are still there, just below the headlights. But, they look very small. I think that they're too small for safety. But, I like the location.
Has anyone found a signal lamp that can be adapted to fit the location of the factory units? I am looking for something that is a bit larger, would match the style of the truck and can be seen from a distance.
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 477 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2001 Posts: 477 | if memory serves me, what's under the headlights are running or "parking" lights and not turn signals. you can adapt them to turn signals by rewiring them, and adding the needed pigtail with 2 contacts. federal law regarding turn signals wasn't mandated until i think the early to mid 50's. i have seen guys (like me) mount foglights behind the grill where they couldn't be normally seen, but are extremely bright when used as turn signals. | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | LMC Truck has the dual pigtails. Turn signals were not even an available option in 48'. It was 54' before they became the law. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | The top-of-fender mounted lamps were a GM accessory (47-53) and part of one of the turn-signal accessory kits in 1954. I think that some of the top-of-fender mounted lamps even had directional arrowheads on the lenses (but there was no signal control mechanism sold by GM, until 1954). | | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 2,549 | As said above, the small lights below the headlights, are parklights. Turnsignals were a add on accessory, up through the Advance Design era. Here's a link to a ebay sale of the most popular Accessory G.M. turnsignal lamps. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260209549570 I'm using this type, on my COE's | | | | | Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2002 Posts: 9,115 | A popular replacement is the parking/signal lights for the Chevy truck of a later model. The classic truck suppliers sell them and they look very similar to the originals. That is what I used on my truck. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2510846500041873203gIVhdQ
Last edited by truckernix; 03/11/2008 3:22 AM.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 77 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 77 | From what I found on my 53, the front park lights can be changed to turnsignal lights by installing a new socket, or buying a new light assembly. My truck has the Arrow signals mounted on the fendertops. Remember that the park lights go off when the headlights are turned on unless you change the wiring connection on the headlight switch. | | |
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