side lights
 

I see Model T's with and without what appears to be kerosene side lights. Is it proper to put them on if my Model T does not have them?

Re: side lights
 

After 1919 cars with starters did not have side lights. Nothing prevents you from putting side lights on your car if you so desire them. There are windshield stantions out there that have side light brackets to hold the lights. They are not easy to find, but they are out there. The end result is that it is your car. If you want side lights, go for it.

Re: side lights
 

My 25 has them and it never came from the factory with them, but I like them and it's not a show car.

From 1919 when starter was introduced into 1926 you could buy a Model T with no starter/generator/battery and nondemountable rim wheels. They would have come with kerosene side/tail lights.


You can buy the brackets to mount them, the suppliers carry some styles.

Re: side lights
 

I found out how to mount the side lights and ordered the brackets from Lang's. Now I want to restore them and I can't figure out how to remove the lenses. I see that the clear lens on the side is held in place by a retainer ring, but don't see how the large lenses are held in. In the catalog there seems to be some tabs but I don't have any tabs on my lights. All the help is appreciated as I am new to this after being strictly a model a nut.

Re: side lights
 

The light with the clear lens on the side is a tail light that perhaps someone installed the clear lens and door. The lens in the door is held in by the edge being folded over/crimped. If the lens is in good shape, I would not try and remove it and would clean around as much as possible.

Re: side lights
 

Thanks for your info. I have three of these and the one with the side lens has a red large kens so I assumed it was a tail light. They are all in good shape except they need to be painted. I can't believe I have been kicking these lights around for over thirty years and now can use them. Go figure.

Re: side lights
 

I brought the tail light up because there are many many people out there that do not know the difference. Thumbs up!

Re: side lights
 

My 1922 T has driver side kerosene light, but on passenger side all I am having is broken bracket.
Any idea where I can buy the light?

Re: side lights
 

Found bunch of lights on ebay, but none of them has bracket.
My brackets are cast aluminum - not easy to manufacture.

Re: side lights
 

I would suggest attempting to locate original Ford STEEL brackets - last thing you want is to have a cheap repro bracket break & drop your side lamp on the road !

Re: side lights
 

The aluminum bracket I have looks like upgrade to steel bracket I was able to find on ebay.
But from info in this topic - my T did not have those lights originally, so looks like somebody added them thru the life.
So who has a good picture of factory bracket? When it is steel, I should be able to manufacture it, but then should replace both.
I am old enough, when growing up in Poland I was actually using kerosene lights on my farm vacations, so that brings some sentimental value.

Re: side lights
 

If the photo you have in your profile is your T then these are the brackets you need - I'm with Mark on the subject - if you like & want oil side lamps, by all means install them !

Re: side lights
 

Those look like the ones on eBay at 2Xs+ what Lang's list them for. The ones in Lang's catalog say 23-25 but should be the same for 1915 thru 1925.

Re: side lights
 

I found those brackets on ebay. When they look like mine, the seller want $130 for a pair, while they look pretty corroded.
I pass on those.

Re: side lights
 

Yes, he is quite proud of those - I might have an original set available - I'll check.