Signal light question

[fireguyfire]

I’m continuing sorting out my 1940 half ton and I’ve got a question regarding what I should do for signal lights.

The signal lights are missing on my truck, but you can see where the aftermarket signal lever was clamped to the steering column at some point, and there is also the usual 2 holes in the roof for where the aftermarket signal lights mounted on the roof.

im trying to figure out what my options might be as far as signal lights go, and am open to suggestions.

How did you guys and gals go about adding signal lights to your old flathead truck?

[Merle Coggins]

Your ‘40 is a little different than my ‘50, but turn signals are all aftermarket for these trucks. I used a Signal Stat 900 switch on the column. I then converted my front parking lamps to a dual filament type and added a right side tail/brake lamp, all wired up through the Signal Stat. My parking lamps up front have clear glass lenses and I wasn’t able to find amber bulbs in 6 volt. I did, however, find 6v amber LED bulbs that work great. Rear bulbs are still incandescent so it still pulls enough current for the flasher to function.  

[fireguyfire]

Thanks for the info Merle!

im torn whether I should be welding up the holes in the roof, or reusing them. I’m not a huge fan of having the signal lights on the roof, as it makes the truck have a construction feel but I’m trying to see what other options are out there other than the roof, such as what Merle did.

[dodge 1946]

On my 1946 WD20, the turn signals work off of the cowl lights. 

[Young Ed]

7 hours ago, dodge 1946 said:

On my 1946 WD20, the turn signals work off of the cowl lights. 

Same as my wc. On a 40 you can convert the parking lights to signals but they are so small it'd be hard to make them dual purpose

[1949 Wraith]

I installed some 6 volt fog lights using existing front bumper mount holes as turn signals.

[greg g]

Does your truck have cowl lights?  They could be modified with dual contact pigtails and used as running and signals.  Or just put brighter bulbs 8n to use as signals.  I used motorcycle signal stalks I got used from a repair shop for 5 bucks each.  If you use signals separate from your brake lights, you can use a double pole, double throw toggle switch to activate the lamps.  Mount it on the dash or make a switch holder to clamp to the steering column.

 

Wiring is simple from acc position run a wire through an inline fuse through the flasher to power in on the switch.  One side of the switch to power out for right side lamps the other power out for left side.  If you get a three terminal flasher, you can wire an indicater bulb to be a repeater for when the circuit is powered.  Use 12 gauge wire and it will work reliably.  My 2 dollar switch is going on 20 years of faithful service.

 

 

 

 

[Young Ed]

1 hour ago, greg g said:

Does your truck have cowl lights?  They could be modified with dual contact pigtails and used as running and signals.  Or just put brighter bulbs 8n to use as signals.  I used motorcycle signal stalks I got used from a repair shop for 5 bucks each.  If you use signals separate from your brake lights, you can use a double pole, double throw toggle switch to activate the lamps.  Mount it on the dash or make a switch holder to clamp to the steering column.

 

Wiring is simple from acc position run a wire through an inline fuse through the flasher to power in on the switch.  One side of the switch to power out for right side lamps the other power out for left side.  If you get a three terminal flasher, you can wire an indicater bulb to be a repeater for when the circuit is powered.  Use 12 gauge wire and it will work reliably.  My 2 dollar switch is going on 20 years of faithful service.

 

 

 

 

In stock form 40 trucks have very tiny parking lights on the headlight buckets and no cowl lights

[fireguyfire]

Do you happen to have a few hoot 49 wraith?

And what did you do for signal lights at the rear of the truck?

[fireguyfire]

And correct on the marker lights on top of the headlight buckets on my truck

[1949 Wraith]

18 hours ago, fireguyfire said:

Do you happen to have a few hoot 49 wraith?

And what did you do for signal lights at the rear of the truck?

Mine came with only the single tail light and wasn't that great so I bought a reproduction set of the fords of that era at a reasonable price

[Tooljunkie]

For the fronts, i used a couple single circuit leds. Come on with key, and flash off with signals. My signal switch was for rear lights only so needed to do some trickery with relays. 

[fireguyfire]

What was the original intention of having the parking lights on top of the headlight buckets in 1940?

were they a running light?

[Young Ed]

2 hours ago, fireguyfire said:

What was the original intention of having the parking lights on top of the headlight buckets in 1940?

were they a running light?

1940 was the first year for sealed beam lights. The 1939 trucks had a reflector with 2 replaceable bulbs. For 1940 the parking lights went on top and Im guessing they were either a stop gap or found inadequate and the cowl lights were built for 41.