The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Running Light on a 46

Hello!

I just bought a 46 3/4 ton pickup from my grandfather, and I'm already deeply entrenched in the "repair section" of the program.

I have a slight problem with my starboard running light on the front end of my truck. About thirty years ago, Grandpa whanged it on something and busted the lens, the lightbulb and screwed up the socket.

I've got most of the stuff off (headlight, parking light cover, gasket, et cetera) but I can't seem to get the socket out so I can replace it.

Is there an easy way to do it, or am I going to have to pull the bucket and cut the bastard out of there with a torch?

I plan on replacing it (and the other one) with a double poled socket so I can wire the blinkers to them.

Any advice?

Find a 1156 bulb socket...they keep em on the displays with hooks at your local auto parts store. The one you want has little teeth/prongs that hold the socket in the right size hole. Drill the socket hole out and slide the new socket in from the bottom. It should pop in. Be careful not to force it and mash the teeth/prongs.

I am running a low profile 1156 double fillament bulb in mine...it fits under the glass running light cover on a 41-46. Make sure you get 6V bulbs if running 6V...along with a 6V flasher. The system works OK.

For added safety, I would look at a set of very small LED lights to mount above the bumper, behind the grille. Most folks don't know to look at the top of the fender for your turn signal....but then most folks don't know how to look....

Sweet...

I've already got a flasher, so that won't be a problem, and yes, I am running 6v, so I'll make sure that I grab the right bulb.

I assume that I leave the current socket as-is when I start drilling? (or do I pound it down and drill?)

It has been a year since I installed mine, but...I don't think the hole size is much different. Make sure you find the sockets before you pound/drill...just so you get the hole just right...I seem to recall I just drilled em out.

As far as 6 V bulbs go, not sure if you have Checker Auto Parts in MI...I don't buy much there, but they had the best supply of 6V bulbs of every size in my area.

By the way....

The kit I bought has a three position switch for the turn signals....I wanted a clean look and mounted it under the dash....

It sucks....looks nice, but is a pain in the A&& when you are driving...ya have to lean forward to turn it on and shut it off....buy one of the "good" turn signal switches that mount on the column.

My $.02 on the turn signal part of it....

My plan is to keep many of the changes that have been made to the old girl over the years, mainly 'cause I subscribe to the school of thought that states, "If it works, why replace it?"

Or maybe I'm just lazy. [shrug]

She's already got a turn signal kit installed, (The switch is the typical old-fashoned aftermarket deal that straps onto the steering column) but the lights that it came with are FUGLY. They're those round trailer lights and they've got to go.

My only complaint is that it doesn't currently do is 4 way hazards, and I'm going to fix that when I put the new sockets in.

We don't have a Checkers here in Traverse City, but I think we've got just about everything else.
We have a NAPA, Advance, Pepboys, Car Quest, and a local chain called Thirlby's. I usually go to Thirlby's and if they don't have it, they can get it.

I'm not too concerned about making too big of a hole, 'cause I know how to fix that problem.

[grins cheekily]

But, in the interests of my being lazy (or possibly smart), I'll not remove the old socket until I get the new one.

If you want to, you can make the small 41-46 tail lights accept two bulbs...there is an after market double bulb socket that will fit the inside of the tail light....one bulb has to be the low profile....but it works...if you go through the book of electrical parts/sockets, you might find one..

My 41 had the round after markets with the arrows built in to the covers...rusty, huge, etc....they had to go.

Good Luck.

Thanks for all of your advice!

I have the round trailer lights on both ends... and I'm going to leave them on the back end for now. It's got a flatbed on it, and I'm going to put the box back on at some point. I'll redo the wiring back there then.