The Ford Barn

100550dvr · 02-05-2018, 06:41 PM

We are restoring a 1950 F47 pickup truck (the Canadian built version of the F1) and are having difficult determining how to separate the housing to clean replace the bulb. Two photographs are attached. I consider myself to be mechanically inclined, but this has a number of people stumped. I cannot believe Ford designed the dome light to not be able to replace the bulb. Any help, especially from Canadian viewers, would be greatly appreciated.

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IMG_2093.jpg

IMG_2364.JPG

nickthebandit · 02-05-2018, 07:10 PM

isn't there a wire ring around the lens ? If so, use a small screwdriver to pry the ring up a little at a time until you can grab it with a pair of pliers, then just pull it out, taking care not to drop the lens.

51 MERC-CT · 02-05-2018, 07:43 PM

Just a suggestion, while holding the rear housing assy.,try to unscrew the bezel from it.

RalphG · 02-05-2018, 08:09 PM

I'd guess my M68 would have the same light. I have never tried to open it up. I would guess the old lens might be brittle and easily broken. Good luck with it.

100550dvr · 02-05-2018, 08:35 PM

From what we can see, the assembly was originally crimped together. The lense rotates freely, but we do not see where you can separate the assembly to remove/cleanit. I cannot believe you would have to replace the entire dome light just to replace a burned out bulb .

Bob C · 02-05-2018, 09:33 PM

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I looked in my F series truck manual and the dome light it shows looks
nothing like yours. The one in the manual has three screws holding the
the retaining ring on.

Bob

100550dvr · 02-06-2018, 01:22 PM

There are many, small differences between the US built F1 and the Canadian built F47. One difference is the dome light configuration. The light assembly actually fits into and is supported by a wood block that bolts top the rear of the cab. Was wondering if this same design was used on an earlier Ford truck or automobile. Also wondering if a Canadian "expert" might know the answer.

RalphG · 02-06-2018, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 100550dvr

There are many, small differences between the US built F1 and the Canadian built F47. One difference is the dome light configuration. The light assembly actually fits into and is supported by a wood block that bolts top the rear of the cab. Was wondering if this same design was used on an earlier Ford truck or automobile. Also wondering if a Canadian "expert" might know the answer.

Checked my M68 (1949) and it has the same setup with the light attached to a block of wood. Mine has come disconnected from the roof and is hanging on the seat after being parked for over 40 years. With my luck, if I tried to take it apart the lens would shatter. But I can't see any other way than prying off that plastic cover. Surely they didn't expect you to remove the block of wood (and the headliner) to get in the back of the housing?

gearhead1952 · 02-06-2018, 05:05 PM

The light looks to be same as the ones used in F1 panel trucks but the dome is glass. I do see a round ring in your pic that needs to come out then the lens will fall out. It fits in a groove.

AAdams · 02-06-2018, 05:25 PM

I just had a look at the dome light on my M68 and yes there is a wire ring in there. It is tough to see and even tougher to get out. Take it real easy as that lense wil be very brittle.

100550dvr · 02-07-2018, 10:22 PM

Thanks for the advice. We will see what happens.

100550dvr · 02-09-2018, 06:27 PM

There was a snap ring to remove and...yes, it was not exactly easy. This will allow me to properly clean/restore the assembly.

Thanks for the advice.

02-05-2018, 06:41 PM	#1
100550dvr Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 35	1950v F47 Dome Light We are restoring a 1950 F47 pickup truck (the Canadian built version of the F1) and are having difficult determining how to separate the housing to clean replace the bulb. Two photographs are attached. I consider myself to be mechanically inclined, but this has a number of people stumped. I cannot believe Ford designed the dome light to not be able to replace the bulb. Any help, especially from Canadian viewers, would be greatly appreciated. IMG_2365.JPG IMG_2093.jpg IMG_2364.JPG

02-05-2018, 07:10 PM	#2
nickthebandit Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Shippensburg, pa. Posts: 415	Re: 1950v F47 Dome Light isn't there a wire ring around the lens ? If so, use a small screwdriver to pry the ring up a little at a time until you can grab it with a pair of pliers, then just pull it out, taking care not to drop the lens.

02-05-2018, 07:43 PM	#3
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: 1950v F47 Dome Light Just a suggestion, while holding the rear housing assy.,try to unscrew the bezel from it. __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

02-05-2018, 08:09 PM	#4
RalphG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Sask. Canada Posts: 2,424	Re: 1950v F47 Dome Light I'd guess my M68 would have the same light. I have never tried to open it up. I would guess the old lens might be brittle and easily broken. Good luck with it. __________________ https://www.youtube.com/user/roosty6/videos

02-05-2018, 08:35 PM	#5
100550dvr Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 35	Re: 1950v F47 Dome Light From what we can see, the assembly was originally crimped together. The lense rotates freely, but we do not see where you can separate the assembly to remove/cleanit. I cannot believe you would have to replace the entire dome light just to replace a burned out bulb .

02-06-2018, 01:22 PM	#7
100550dvr Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 35	Re: 1950v F47 Dome Light There are many, small differences between the US built F1 and the Canadian built F47. One difference is the dome light configuration. The light assembly actually fits into and is supported by a wood block that bolts top the rear of the cab. Was wondering if this same design was used on an earlier Ford truck or automobile. Also wondering if a Canadian "expert" might know the answer.

02-06-2018, 05:05 PM	#9
gearhead1952 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Julesburg, Colorado Posts: 714	Re: 1950v F47 Dome Light The light looks to be same as the ones used in F1 panel trucks but the dome is glass. I do see a round ring in your pic that needs to come out then the lens will fall out. It fits in a groove.

02-06-2018, 05:25 PM	#10
AAdams Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Victoria B.C. Canada Posts: 15	Re: 1950v F47 Dome Light I just had a look at the dome light on my M68 and yes there is a wire ring in there. It is tough to see and even tougher to get out. Take it real easy as that lense wil be very brittle.

02-07-2018, 10:22 PM	#11
100550dvr Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 35	Re: 1950v F47 Dome Light Thanks for the advice. We will see what happens.

02-09-2018, 06:27 PM	#12
100550dvr Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 35	Re: 1950v F47 Dome Light There was a snap ring to remove and...yes, it was not exactly easy. This will allow me to properly clean/restore the assembly. Thanks for the advice.