47 p15 coupe tailight reflectors

[3046moparcoupe]

Looking to get my rear tailights re-chromed. I've got them dis-assembled and everything came apart nice - but I can't figure out how to remove the quarter size reflector buttons located in the bottom center of each bezel. Did a little surfing around the internet looking at pictures of 46-48 P15 tail lights, to discover that they are not all the same....at least as far as the reflector goes....maybe my reflector buttons have been southern engineered back into place, not sure at this point......what I see on the internet pics, shows bezels that have the reflector button protruding out from the bezel a distance that looks like naybe a 1/4 inch or so,.....both the reflectors in my tail light housings fit flush with the metal circle that holds them. When you look at the inside of the tai llight bezel, where the reflector button sits - it's smooth flat round metal, about the size of a quarter, sorta looks like a plug, ( I say that as there appears to maybe be a very small seam line around the edge of the round metal - but even looking with magnification, It's kinda a draw on whether it's a seam or just a crease in the casting),... I hate to just get out the hammer and start away at it...sure would be nice to salvage the reflectors - especially if they can be restored from there faded condition back to a nice red....not really interested in doing the aftermarket LED replacement lights,...I would rather restore these original 6v lights....no splits or cracks, only some small pitting and all thread holes are good,..any help would be greatly appreciated.....thanks, Steve

[Don Coatney]

I did not have any luck finding exact replacements for the reflectors. But I did not spend a lot of time and money looking as originality was not my goal. So I found and used the reflectors pictured below until I finally went to LED's.

 

 

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

as Don shows, there are alternatives for the actual Stimsonite reflectors..depending on the year if they are white or red....the reflectors are removed by removing the dimpled metal backing cover...yu can actually use a quarter to retain the new one later...the ridges will grip the opening for a bit of snug fit and with a tad of epoxy should not come out until you force them out gain for other changes/upgrades

 

also just this week saw a set of actual Stimsonites on the E-bay for sale...

 

I have two set of glass eyes in read that will fit these also..you need to just hit the swap meets and find this stuff..the glass lenses were free one set...5 cent each the other set...

[61farnham]

I used the info on these two previous posts to remove mine, on one the colour had faded and once out I just repainted the back of it and it looked as good a new.

 

 

http://p15-d24.com/topic/17913-taillight-reflectors/?hl=reflectors

 

http://p15-d24.com/topic/10657-re-chroming-tail-lights-for-a-47-dodge/?hl=reflectors

Edited December 5, 2014 by 61farnham

[scotty t]

I found some little LED lights that fit nicely, they're going to be my back up lights.

[Oldguy48]

I found some little LED lights that fit nicely, they're going to be my back up lights.

Scotty,

  Where did you obtain the LED units?  I'm considering the same thing for my P15, since my reflectors are badly faded, and back-up lights would be a nice upgrade.

 

Wayne

[scotty t]

http://www.taillightking.com/ scroll down to "led lights"on the left side and click on #38691

Edited December 9, 2014 by scotty t

[BobT-47P15]

I just looked on eBay..........."seaplym" (Neil Riddle) in Seattle is offering a new pair of reflectors for a buy-it-now

price of $27.50 and free shipping.      Not a give-away but probably a correct size and look for replacement.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-1952-Plymouth-Tail-Light-Reflectors-NEW-Pair-Convertible-Dodge-DeSoto-old-/221628104312?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item339a107e78&vxp=mtr

 

As Tim said.........at swapmeets and flea markets,  you can often find various styles of reflectors real cheap.....some

are better candidates for the purpose than others.  

 

I can't recall which year used the white reflectors and which used the red ones............

[MarkAubuchon]

I used a set of old red license plate reflectors. fit them from the inside, perfect

[Oldguy48]

http://www.taillightking.com/ scroll down to "led lights"on the left side and click on #38691

Thank you, Sir

 

Wayne

[scotty t]

Sorry it took so long, I took a while to find that site again!

[Oldguy48]

Sorry it took so long, I took a while to find that site again!

I appreciate you responding to my request.  I plan to place an order for two of those LED lights shortly.  Just another one of my "winter projects", since my P15 is in hibernation until warm weather returns.

 

Wayne

[greg g]

Note that if you have signals wired into your rear lamps they will not function properly with the led bulbs.  They do not draw enough current to heat up the bimetal strip in the flasher.  You will need to furnish a electronic flasher to replace your standard one.  My relecters are retained by some small bendable metal tabs.

[scotty t]

The LEDs are just for the backup lights, not connected to the tail/ brake lights