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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: Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 5 | When were they put in? I have a 61 gmc 1/2 ton
Last edited by Woogeroo; 03/19/2008 12:57 AM. Reason: put truck model in subject
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 360 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 360 | i believe that nationally seatbelts were not mandatory in production until june of 1966. reverse lights i don't know.
"it's only old if you can't find a use for it; otherwise it's cool and i'll use it."
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 119 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2005 Posts: 119 | Backup lights were in 1966 also. | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | They were dealer options at least as far back as '55. I have an NOS backup lamp kit that came from a dealer in Cayuga IN that is currently on my truck, box is dated 1955.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 Ex Hall Monitor | | Ex Hall Monitor Joined: Aug 2005 Posts: 6,377 | A backup light, mounted to the driver side taillight was optional on my 38 coupe. It would have fit the truck t/l housings too.
Save a life, adopt a senior shelter pet.
The three main causes of blindness: Cataracts, Politics, Religion.
Name your dog Naked so you can walk Naked in the park.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 5 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2007 Posts: 5 | | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,893 Socket Breaker | | Socket Breaker Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,893 |
back up lights were an option item.
backup lights became standard in 1966 on chevy trucks.
On the stepside beds, the lights were a round dome and bolted to the rear of the fender.
On the fleetside beds, there was a round hole with a ring, similiar to the tail light, but it was a white lense.
-W
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 58 | I know that Chevy didn't put seatbelts in the trucks until '57. And I haven't been stopped yet to check my '54 truck for driver belts. I have a 4 point racing harness in my truck. Y-shoulder belt, lap belt, and anti-sub. Haven't needed the shoulder as of yet, but it's there if I want to use it.
Dave
1954 custom 1-ton (1 of a kind)
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | This is what the '55-'59 stepside backup lamp looks like. http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2274480340092261295JSVKzPide note, the lense, bezel, and gasket are the same as '50-'52 Chevrolet car and '51-'53 Pontiac. The rubber mounting spacer is truck specific.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 58 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2004 Posts: 58 | I mounted a rear plate to the back of my truck under the flatbed.
It houses my yellow turns(42 led), red tails/stops(6 led), and white backups(single bulb). Panel measures 80" wide X 24" tall.
The led lights are all big rig style.
Dave
1954 custom 1-ton (1 of a kind)
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 57 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2005 Posts: 57 | FYI, if you install seat belts, you are required to use them! Just trying to save you a ticket! | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | I know that Chevy didn't put seatbelts in the trucks until '57. And I haven't been stopped yet to check my '54 truck for driver belts. I have a 4 point racing harness in my truck. Y-shoulder belt, lap belt, and anti-sub. Haven't needed the shoulder as of yet, but it's there if I want to use it.
Dave Dave, do you have a roll bar installed in the truck? From everything I've seen on those (did alot of research, was going to use those myself), you have to have at least a rear hoop with a cross bar for the upper belt to loop around in order for it work properly. Otherwise, the upper belts will not work with any effectiveness. I'm not sure how it would appl to a pre-seatbelt requirement vehicle, but those are also not DOT approved for street use. That may not apply on a vehicle built before they were required, though.
Bill Burmeister
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