Turn signals but keeping single element bulb

[sidevalve8ba]

The Fords I drove in my youth ('56 & a '57 models) had clear front turn signal bulbs and clear lenses in them as original equipment and seemed to do the job. It was somewhere in the sixties model years the the cars changed over to amber bulbs if memory serves me correctly. I have turn signals on my '32 and I use clear bulbs on the front of it because it's old and so am I!

[rich b]

No matter what you do; you have to rewire both front and rear circuits to provide separate left and right wires; should be no big deal to add new double contact sockets to the front at the same time.

If you are resistant to that you can always use relays as Andy mentioned; relays also have the advantage of providing the ability to use a simple toggle switch or a vintage four wire signal switch.

The trailer converter mentioned could also let you use the single element front bulbs for dual purpose; but seems like an overly complicated idea.

[cmbrucew]

My 61 Ford V8 came with white front turn signal bulbs, but in 62 I bought amber colored bulbs at the auto supply store.
Bruce

[Mart]

It's just my humble opinion, but you can't use a side light as an indicator. I'm talking white at the front here, like the OP asked. Side lights are 5W. Indicator bulbs are 21W. Using a 5w bulb as in indicator just isn't bright enough.

The method I described works great and is really simple.

Using relays or fancy switches is the best solution at the back where you have 21W brake light bulbs, but are not the answer for the front.

Mart.

[edhd58]

https://cgfordparts.com/CATPICS/LOGO...0035000400.JPG is the complete socket with wires. Thinking of putting this in the front parking light socket.
The one Meric referenced in post 4 is only the end with wires not the socket too.

https://www.vintageautogarage.com/He...7r-90651-k.htm

What do you think of this switch?
I have led tail lights now should I use the led relay?
will it handle bulbs up front or should I convert the front to led 2 brightness bulbs?


here is a two stage led bulb i found.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...15d-bulb/2625/


Any thoughts on the switch, socket exchange and LED bulbs up front? I already have the LED tail lights installed. I know I'll have to run wires everywhere and thats okay.

[Karl]

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Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

Hmmm....no WHITE light facing rearward! So, how 'bout them "back-up" lights? DD

They are there so that when you engage reverse on the freeway at 50mph
the cars following can dodge the fragments of your exploding gearbox !

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by Karl

They are there so that when you engage reverse on the freeway at 50mph
the cars following can dodge the fragments of your exploding gearbox !

ha!

[cmbrucew]

Originally Posted by Karl
They are there so that when you engage reverse on the freeway at 50mph
the cars following can dodge the fragments of your exploding gearbox !




I saw a green 1956 ford hit reverse at a drag strip. Car slowed down and started backing up. Heard his axle broke the next week.
Bruce

[solidaxle]

Originally Posted by edhd58

I want to put turn signals on my 42 but keep the single element parking light up front and use it as turn signal.
Has anyone else done that or am wishing in one hand and s#%÷$=:g in the other?
What's the switch used if It's been done and how did it get wired?

You can take an amber colored marker and color the bulb. Once colored you need to be careful handling it, your touch will remove the amber from the glass. I would say it works ok, not great, but ok.


What are you doing for the rear directionals?

[B-O-B]

My high school buddy had a 49 buick convt. He would put it in R while going forward just to thrill the girls. Doing that saved our bacon one night when a 48 Chrysler town & country vert pulled out from a side street in front of us. He evidentially did have to repair the dynaflo tranny.

[edhd58]

Originally Posted by solidaxle

You can take an amber colored marker and color the bulb. Once colored you need to be careful handling it, your touch will remove the amber from the glass. I would say it works ok, not great, but ok.


What are you doing for the rear directionals?

I have ordered a turn switch and relay and led lights for front. I will replace the single element sockets up front with double element socket and Amber bulbs. LEDs on back already. I'll run the wires needed.

[Vintage Copper 47]

Originally Posted by edhd58

I have ordered a turn switch and relay and led lights for front. I will replace the single element sockets up front with double element socket and Amber bulbs. LEDs on back already. I'll run the wires needed.

A question on your rear LEDs... is the light worth it?.. I mean do I need that bright a light to the rear?

[edhd58]

Originally Posted by Vintage Copper 47

A question on your rear LEDs... is the light worth it?.. I mean do I need that bright a light to the rear?

I'll put it this way. A neighbor passed me going the opposite way a couple weeks ago and said he could barely see my tail lights, and he wasnt the first one to say that.
My wife followed me a couple times and fussed at me abut how dim they were. I thot she was just exaggerating.
When the neighbor actually turned arund to tell me that I figured I would go LED on the rear

[bosborn38pu]

Originally Posted by edhd58

I want to put turn signals on my 42 but keep the single element parking light up front and use it as turn signal.
Has anyone else done that or am wishing in one hand and s#%÷$=:g in the other?
What's the switch used if It's been done and how did it get wired?

FWIW: I went with http://www.turnswitch.com/Turnsignal.htm. Very pleased.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by edhd58

https://cgfordparts.com/CATPICS/LOGO...0035000400.JPG is the complete socket with wires. Thinking of putting this in the front parking light socket.
The one Meric referenced in post 4 is only the end with wires not the socket too.

https://www.vintageautogarage.com/He...7r-90651-k.htm

What do you think of this switch?
I have led tail lights now should I use the led relay?
will it handle bulbs up front or should I convert the front to led 2 brightness bulbs?


here is a two stage led bulb i found.

https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...15d-bulb/2625/


Any thoughts on the switch, socket exchange and LED bulbs up front? I already have the LED tail lights installed. I know I'll have to run wires everywhere and thats okay.

I think this is the Asian made copy of USA made Signal Stat 900. Trucklite which looks the same as the 900 is also US made probably licensed . Google them. I have one with the black casing and chrome lever . Pay a little more for the real Mcoy would be my advise. Signal Stat has been around since lights were invented for cars, you need the 7 wire one. I can't advise on LEDs as I'm running 6v posative and using standard bulbs.

GB

[redmodelt]

The Signal Stat should not matter, it is just a switch. But the flasher does come into play esp when you mix and match bulb types. Ok that is all I can add. I run stock type bulbs on my 48 and T with Signal Stat switches.

[model.a.paul]

I'v heard that - how big is big? does this affect LED's?

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by redmodelt

The Signal Stat should not matter, it is just a switch. But the flasher does come into play esp when you mix and match bulb types. Ok that is all I can add. I run stock type bulbs on my 48 and T with Signal Stat switches.

Full range of USA made flashers Novita technologies which bought out Tridon

http://novitatech.com/?q=aftermarket/products

Anyone using a standard 6v positive system should use a LL535 . Rock Auto does them at a good price. There will be some here that would suit LED.

GB

[Kahuna]

Ed
You could accomplish what you want with a diode on each light

[edhd58]

Originally Posted by Kahuna

Ed
You could accomplish what you want with a diode on each light

Please explain.