Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-21-2014, 05:15 AM   #1
BobbyG
Senior Member
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 240
Default Backing up in the dark

I was out in the 28 coupe late last night and found myself on an unlit road where I had to back up to turn around, as I looked over my shoulder to look out the back I could see nothing but the reflection from the front.

It was like the upright front & rear screens were bouncing against each other like mirrors, very strange to see.

In the end I had to turn the headlights off and back up using the flash of my indicators.

Thinking about fitting a reversing light on the back as I don't want to dent her driving backwards in the dark.

Anyone else had similiar?
BobbyG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 06:05 AM   #2
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

The light from my tail/license light lights the road quite well.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-21-2014, 07:14 AM   #3
Ray64
Senior Member
 
Ray64's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Grafton,OHIO
Posts: 727
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

I think that is caused because the front windshield is on the vertical.
Ray64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 07:18 AM   #4
Patrick L.
Senior Member
 
Patrick L.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Largo Florida
Posts: 7,225
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

When you feel the car go bump in the dark, just push on the middle pedal. [ smiley face]
Patrick L. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 08:03 AM   #5
dave in australia
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Victoria, Australia
Posts: 1,170
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

Never thought about it before, mainly because I haven't been in this situation yet. Thanks for mentioning this, and now I'll look into fitting something onto my tudor.
dave in australia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 08:20 AM   #6
Growley bear
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 777
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Try turning of your headlights and/or open the wind screen a bit.

Chet
Growley bear is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 09:52 AM   #7
eagle
Senior Member
 
eagle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Eagle Bend, MN
Posts: 2,025
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

Open your door window and look back out the open window. Most necks will swivel enough to use in that manner... Ha! The reflecting glass of the windshield/rear glass won't be helped much with backup lights. Takes some geting used to when cars pass in the night they appear to come and go from every direction. You soon get used to it.
eagle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 10:42 AM   #8
Mitch//pa
BANNED
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 11,454
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

install a rear backup camera
Mitch//pa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 11:09 AM   #9
700rpm
Senior Member
 
700rpm's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 5,892
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

Just swing your windshield open a bit so it isn't vertical.
__________________
Ray Horton, Portland, OR


As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.
700rpm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 11:31 AM   #10
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mitch//pa View Post
install a rear backup camera
That's a good idea. My friend installed one in his Town Sedan. At some point I hope to buy one also.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 11:47 AM   #11
junk yard kid
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: san diego
Posts: 114
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

I just look where i plan to back up before i back up.
junk yard kid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 12:11 PM   #12
Bruce Lancaster
Member Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Madison, NJ
Posts: 5,230
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

Retard the spark and turn the GAV a couple turns toward rich...the flames out exhaust should either eliminate or illuminate anything back there. Henry thought of everything.
Bruce Lancaster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 12:37 PM   #13
CarlG
Senior Member
 
CarlG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 9,109
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

I've got back-up lights, just haven't got around to hooking them up yet.
__________________
Alaskan A's
Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska
Model A Ford Club of America
Model A Restorers Club
Antique Automobile Club of America
Mullins Owner's Club
CarlG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 03:25 PM   #14
Michael M
Senior Member
 
Michael M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Middlesex County, NJ
Posts: 298
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

I assume that Bruce's suggestion would help with tailgaters as well! Lol
Michael M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 03:27 PM   #15
Bill in Al
Senior Member
 
Bill in Al's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pell City (New London) Al
Posts: 317
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

I find the shade when pulled down at night will help that problem of light reflecting and not block my view of following vehicles.
Bill in Al is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 03:51 PM   #16
Bruce Adams
Senior Member
 
Bruce Adams's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Northport, NY
Posts: 1,597
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

I was just thinking of those $2.50 LED lights with a magnet on the back that Harbor Freight sells and how they would let me back down a long driveway or whatever.
Have to be put on the bumper and off, though, but worth keeping around for the occasional sticky backing up situation.
Bruce Adams is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 05:02 PM   #17
bettlesr
Senior Member
 
bettlesr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Florham Park, NJ
Posts: 396
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

I got two pair of high power LEDs in a "bolt type " housing. They really light up whats behind the car. As I have an F150 trans it has a backup light switch built in. I used the threaded end to hold on the license plate. I then ran the wires behind the plate holder and glued them in place. I think these are only 12v, not sure.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg NCM_0116R.jpg (60.6 KB, 14 views)
File Type: jpg NCM_0117R.jpg (31.6 KB, 13 views)
File Type: jpg NCM_0118R.jpg (50.6 KB, 13 views)
__________________
1965 Lotus Elan S2
1930 Model A Sport Coupe
bettlesr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2014, 07:54 PM   #18
w.michael
Senior Member
 
w.michael's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 417
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

It was broad DAYLIGHT when I backed into a brick abutment and crunched the rear fender and bumperette. I don't think the backup light would have provided much protection. I even punched a hole in my new Blue Ridge Parkway license plate.

W. Michael
w.michael is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2014, 02:41 AM   #19
BobbyG
Senior Member
 
BobbyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 240
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

Quote:
Originally Posted by w.michael View Post
It was broad DAYLIGHT when I backed into a brick abutment and crunched the rear fender and bumperette. I don't think the backup light would have provided much protection. I even punched a hole in my new Blue Ridge Parkway license plate.

W. Michael
Oh man I bet that plate wasn't the only thing that was blue right then eh !
BobbyG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2014, 09:15 AM   #20
V4F
Senior Member
 
V4F's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ca.
Posts: 2,522
Default Re: Backing up in the dark

my back window is slightly tinted & stops the glare from behind . my license plate lite is led & plenty bright to back up on a dark street .
__________________
V4f
V4F is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:44 PM.