Tail light Thoughts
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
Topic author - Posts: 128
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:47 pm
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Davis
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 coupe
- Location: Lexington, Va
Tail light Thoughts
I'm planning on putting on my 26 coupe a right tail light with double bulbs so I can have a brake and tail light.I was thinking down the line adding turn signals by just wiring it like a modern car where the turn signal is just intermittent brake light. I'm sure I'm not the first to think of it but, haven't seen anything like that in the forum, or maybe I've missed it. So does anyone see a problem by me doing this. Thanks
-
- Posts: 2260
- Joined: Sat Mar 09, 2019 2:05 am
- First Name: Brent
- Last Name: Burger
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 TT closed cab flatbed
- Location: Spokane, Wa.
- Board Member Since: 2014
Re: Tail light Thoughts
Sure, why not ? About the only suggestion/criticism/advice I would submit is
to use period lighting, just to keep the car looking somewhat "right". I am picky
that way. Modern lighting and stuff on an old car just looks "lazy" to me. It took
some effort and time, but I found some nice period lamps and made a lever for
the column that looks just like a miniature version of the stock spark advance lever.
Share your progress as you build and install it so others might take a lesson.
to use period lighting, just to keep the car looking somewhat "right". I am picky
that way. Modern lighting and stuff on an old car just looks "lazy" to me. It took
some effort and time, but I found some nice period lamps and made a lever for
the column that looks just like a miniature version of the stock spark advance lever.
Share your progress as you build and install it so others might take a lesson.
More people are doing it today than ever before !
-
- Posts: 6496
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- MTFCA Number: 16175
- MTFCI Number: 14758
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Tail light Thoughts
Here are some previous posts on the subject.
NOTE: In this diagram the right/left switch should be labeled ON OFF ON.
NOTE: In this diagram the right/left switch should be labeled ON OFF ON.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
-
- Posts: 1113
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 8:01 am
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Nunn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Runabout
- Location: Bennington, NE
- MTFCA Number: 50321
- Board Member Since: 2017
Re: Tail light Thoughts
There was a photo, I think on the old forum, where someone put a toggle switch for turn signals in a standard horn button housing. Mounted on the steering column, it didn't look out of place.
-
- Posts: 1319
- Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2019 5:47 pm
- First Name: Les
- Last Name: Schubert
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 27 roadster 13 touring
- Location: Calgary
Re: Tail light Thoughts
You can buy at your local auto parts supplier a turn signal switch that clamps to the steering column and ties into the brake light circuit.
The right side bracket is available from the usual suppliers.
A 28 Model A tail light looks pretty good on a T and has the extra filament in the bulb.
The front signal lights call for some “creative” searching for a solution you like. I have found some lights at swap meets that mounted nicely to the windshield attachment bolts on my 27 roadster
The right side bracket is available from the usual suppliers.
A 28 Model A tail light looks pretty good on a T and has the extra filament in the bulb.
The front signal lights call for some “creative” searching for a solution you like. I have found some lights at swap meets that mounted nicely to the windshield attachment bolts on my 27 roadster
-
- Posts: 312
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 1:36 pm
- First Name: Colin
- Last Name: Mavins
- Location: Winnipeg Canada
Re: Tail light Thoughts
The more light the better I have a right hand tail light for my 1912 which is going on this winter and I installed a 1950s turn signal switch which gives you four way flashers as well. The way people are driving the more light the better it may not save you from stupid drivers but at lest you tried.
-
- Posts: 339
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 5:25 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Saylor
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1921 Touring, 1927 Tudor
- Location: Citrus Heights, Ca
- MTFCA Number: 1695
- MTFCI Number: 23870
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Tail light Thoughts
One using a horn button housing and one using a modified PVC pipe "T". If you are going to combine the turn signals with the brake light using the schematic above you will have to add some diodes to isolate the front from the back.
-
- Posts: 78
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 2:11 pm
- First Name: Ronald
- Last Name: Dupree
- Location: Illinois
- MTFCA Number: 22940
- MTFCI Number: 15830
Re: Tail light Thoughts
I tried using period glass lens taillights for turn signals with poor results. These lights were intended for use at night, and typically either are hard to see, or cannot be seen at all in daylight. What works for me are the simple round taillights that are sold for trailers. Replace the 12 volt bulbs with 6 volt bulbs and they can be seen much easier by traffic behind you than the period style lights. In addition, I make a mounting bracket to mount them below the body on either side. You can still use the period style stop/taillights if you want, but now you have brake lights and turn signals that can be seen by the drivers behind you.
Ron Dupree
-
- Posts: 3419
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Wrenn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
- Location: Ohio
- MTFCA Number: 30701
- MTFCI Number: 24033
- Board Member Since: 2019
Re: Tail light Thoughts
Richard....make it easy on yourself, and just get one of these. It's all you need, except of course you supply your
lights, and wiring. If you REALLY wanna make it easy, spend another $95 or so and get the "ready made" wiring loom, but why spend the money? If you're like me, you've already got plenty of "scrap wire" around the house to make up your own. I did this on my '25/'26 "overlap" Fordor and they work great!
https://www.modeltford.com/item/T-SIGN-SW6.aspx
lights, and wiring. If you REALLY wanna make it easy, spend another $95 or so and get the "ready made" wiring loom, but why spend the money? If you're like me, you've already got plenty of "scrap wire" around the house to make up your own. I did this on my '25/'26 "overlap" Fordor and they work great!
https://www.modeltford.com/item/T-SIGN-SW6.aspx
-
- Posts: 5339
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:09 am
- First Name: Henry
- Last Name: Lee
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Many
- Location: South Pittsburg, TN
- MTFCA Number: 479
- MTFCA Life Member: YES
Re: Tail light Thoughts
Been working for me for years! Just Sayin'
Hank
Hank
-
- Posts: 4967
- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Gregush
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 cutdown PU, 1920 Dodge touring, 1948 F2 Ford flat head 6 pickup 3 speed
- Location: Portland Or
- MTFCA Number: 52564
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: Tail light Thoughts
If you use the smaller era type lamps one thing that really does help; paint the inside of the housing glossy white. Helps quite a bit with reflectivity.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
-
- Posts: 3419
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 10:53 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Wrenn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: '13 Touring, '26 "Overlap" Fordor
- Location: Ohio
- MTFCA Number: 30701
- MTFCI Number: 24033
- Board Member Since: 2019
Re: Tail light Thoughts
Putting the shinier side of aluminum foil behind the bulbs works very well too. Maybe even better. Just sayin'
-
- Posts: 70
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:53 pm
- First Name: Bill
- Last Name: Chuplis
- Location: Coatesville, PA
- Contact:
Re: Tail light Thoughts
I think the biggest problem you'll have is the multitude of choices.
Except for the fender bracket, the optional 1926-27 Model T and the standard Model A 1928-29(early) model A, drum style brake/tail light assemblies are basically the same.
Except for the fender bracket, the optional 1926-27 Model T and the standard Model A 1928-29(early) model A, drum style brake/tail light assemblies are basically the same.