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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: brooks,georgia
Posts: 674
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..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
Is there a law stating we must have back-up lights on these trucks?
Thanks.. |
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#2 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,858
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
I guess state laws vary, but this could be a federal thing. What I know says if a light came on a vehicle it needs to be operational to be road legal. But I don't know that backups were ever mandated. They are more of a convenience item than hiway safety equipment. My first years of driving were in vehicles that never had them. Make for a more aware driver for sure. Now people feel they need cameras when all you need to do is observe your surroundings before hopping in and back up with caution.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: St. James, MO
Posts: 1,239
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
In MO, they are not checked on the state inspection.
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'69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt. |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: North East PA
Posts: 682
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
I would think if they came from the factory its Law you must have them and they must work, I recently Failed my state inspection for this and had to adjust my switch and it was PIA ,you need tiny fingers .......
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Fletcher, N.C.
Posts: 309
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
Just call me crazy but if it was or is on my truck, I want it to work...
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1970 C/10 350/T5 SWB stepper... 1979 Corvette 350/Auto T-top... 2010 Acura RL... 2015 2500HD Z-71 Silverado... |
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#6 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Ozark, MO
Posts: 4,887
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
Ditto, not "required" lighting equipment in Missouri. I think they are more of a convenience. I think an LEO would have to be having a really bad day to use that as probable cause. But check the laws in your state. My '71 has them and they work well.
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'20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Latrobe, Pa. 15650
Posts: 344
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
I think it would be convenient to let the guy behind you that you want to let him know you want to back up so he can back up out of your way.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: South Westerlo, New York
Posts: 1,325
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
In NY they must work. when I switched to auto trans I put a toggle switch with small red LED light under the steering column mounted to the dash to manually turn on or off. the light is in circuit so I'd know if I left it on. Its illegal to have them on while driving..
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Thanks, Joe.. 1969 C/10, 348 C.I., 3X2 bbl. V8, 2004r , LWB. |
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Moss Point,Ms.
Posts: 1,439
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
They were optional on Chevy/GMC trucks until 1966 when they became standard equipment.
I don't know if they were ever required by law. Mike. ![]() |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 110
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
Yes, FMVSS requires backup lights: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-20...sec571-108.xml. That being said, I've never heard of anyone being ticketed for lack thereof.
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: ord, NE.
Posts: 98
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
If the back-up lights must work, how do the 69 thru 72 trucks that have had the front ends from a 67 added, with no marker lights get by? My thinking is if the vehicle came with the lights, then they should probably work. Not sure if this would pertain to back-up lights though. Think they are more of convenience than a necessity.
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#12 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 11,158
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
I believe that 67 was the year that the feds required all vehicles to have back up lights. 1967 SM420's are the only ones to have a back up light switch in them. (Hard to find). The SM465 came out in 68 and they all have a reverse light switch (correct me if I'm wrong). But I do find it hard to believe that the General would go through the expense of modifying the tranny for one year of production unless they were forced to.
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Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. ![]() RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377 |
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Alabama
Posts: 1,221
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
Quote:
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,285
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
They would only get by at the cop's discretion. Most cops wouldn't notice minor details about a 49 year old truck. Wouldn't know the difference between '68 and a '67. But I did get a comment about my '68's side marker lights not being operational from a Safford County Mountie one Thanksgiving country road trip long ago...
He said his cousin had a '72 Chevy truck and those lites all worked. I had to explain about Federal Regulations changing in successive MYs '67, '68, '70, '72: with no markers/ reflector-only markers/lighted side lights/ turn-signalling side lights, as the series progressed. He believed me about the side reflectors, but I still got the speeding ticket. ![]()
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. Last edited by '68OrangeSunshine; 11-06-2016 at 04:59 AM. |
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#15 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: May 2016
Location: Sackets harbor ny
Posts: 282
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
I would think the clear part the tail light would be a giveaway.
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: TX
Posts: 1,571
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
I'm pretty sure my truck passed inspection in Texas without them. They didn't work when I first got the truck...but I have since repaired them.
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#17 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Posts: 858
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
Quote:
(1) tires; (2) wheel assembly; (3) safety guards or flaps, if required by Section 547.606; (4) brake system, including power brake unit; (5) steering system, including power steering; (6) lighting equipment; (7) horns and warning devices; (8) mirrors; (9) windshield wipers; (10) sunscreening devices, unless the vehicle is exempt from sunscreen device restrictions under Section 547.613; (11) front seat belts in vehicles on which seat belt anchorages were part of the manufacturer's original equipment; (12) exhaust system; (13) exhaust emission system; (14) fuel tank cap, using pressurized testing equipment approved by department rule; and (15) emissions control equipment as designated by department rule. Texas law permits backup lights and has specifications that must be followed if the are used (amber or white only on when vehicle is not moving forward).
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Hook'em |
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#18 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Godley, TX
Posts: 17,961
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
why not just fix them?
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 784
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
First, I like to have back up lights, makes it easier to see what's behind you when backing at night. Second, I doubt if most cops know or care about things like back-up or marker light regulations.
My 69 has front marker lights, and what look like marker lights at the rear, but they are just reflectors, with no wiring or sockets. What's to say some cop who doesn't know how these trucks were originally equipped would not figure that they had been deliberately deleted, and write up a ticket?
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Rick -69 GMC 910 Long Box, 350 -98 Chev Silverado 1500, 350 Vortec 4L60e -08 Mustang GT Convertible |
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#20 |
Special Order
![]() ![]() Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,858
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
I assumed the Op was considering eliminating them and filling the holes or making larger tail lamps after modifying the body. If that's the case, leave it alone. I used to think up all sorts of ways to modify these truck bodies before I realized the best way is leave as is. They were well designed since day 1, isn't why they are so popular all these years later? We are also used to seeing certain things and it would probably look funky to most people.
Eliminating side markers on a post-67 will fail inspections since they were federally mandated. But, historic/street rod tags forego inspection in most states and the law on the street doesn't know the year of the truck going down the road. I peeled all the stickers on my Harley when I bought it, even one on the down tube with the VIN on it. Took the reflectors off, too. It's a Heritage Softail made to resemble a '50s Harley and what I've done is to take it farther that way. The VIN is stamped into the frame. I also run straight pipes, have no turn signals, and the '50s tail lamp would not be DOT approved. Now it's historic, so if I get hassled after 27 years of no issues, I'll just put historic tags on it. There is a difference between what year back-ups came on our trucks and what year they were mandated. Often such changes appear prior to the mandate
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#21 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Tucson, AZ USA
Posts: 7,285
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
I got stopped by TPD while driving my '71 GMC Jimmy home from work about 6 months ago. Sunday night about 2200. The female officer said my License Plate lamp was out. I told her it had never worked since
I bought the truck 25 years ago, and this was the first time anybody had a problem with that. Also I had a bright yellow 1969-72 Arizona YOM plate and it should be bright enough to read just by the reflective coating alone. I handed her my drivers license, registration and proof of insurance. She wrote up a written warning, not a repair order. Then the Sgt showed up at the open passenger window and asked if I had any weapons. I said no. Then he said "Do you know why we pulled you over?" "Possibly it has to do with the Year-of-Manufacture plate... Not every one on patrol may be familiar with the new rule?" "Well that's partly it. It looked like a New Mexico plate... But you looked safe and I wanted to break-in the trainee Patrolwoman with a nightime traffic stop... How did she do?'' ''I thought she was professional'', I said, ''but she did alarm me by putting her hand on her Taser, when I instinctively almost opened my door to see the burned-out light for myself.'' When the Patrolwoman handed me the written warning I asked if this was a repair order, did I have to fix it? "You don't hafta do nuthin'', she said. "Have a nice night.'' Anyway the next bright day off, I was under the rear bumper disssembling and reassembling the License Plate Lamp. New bulb. No joy. Cleaned up grounds. No joy. Unmade and remade connections. Still no joy. So I left it alone. Forget about it. Last month, before going to PHX on a job, I checked all my lights and the damn License Plate Lamp was ON. Go figure? ![]()
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Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not. |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Carnation, Wa
Posts: 142
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/...icle-1/part-2/
I think in Georgia, you might be fine. I couldn't find anything that specifically mentions reverse or backup lights. |
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#23 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Moss Point,Ms.
Posts: 1,439
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
We have no inspection in Mississippi!
They did away with it in July of last year! We can still be cited for safety violations as always. Mike. ![]() |
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#24 |
BlahBlahBlah
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wa.
Posts: 19,881
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
Personally I like it when all my outside lights work as they are supposed to. Why give an officer a reason to stop you? Plus its a pretty good feeling of accomplishment cause sometimes its a real biatch getting everything to work correctly lol.
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#25 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Los Angeles California
Posts: 352
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Re: ..Back'em Up Lights..Law?
I've had a few 65 Corvairs that didn't have backup lights.
What you got was a stamped aluminum piece that screwed on like the lens.
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1972 Custom Deluxe Highlander C20 1971 Javelin SST New Project 1971 Demon 340 1969 SS El Camino 1968 SS RS 396 Camaro 1967 Barracuda Formula S 1965 140/4sp Corvair Monza Convertible Sorry, but I don't do Fords. |
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