stepside tail light idea - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68C15 · 01-08-2006, 10:39 PM

ever since I got the stepper I have been pondering what to do for tail lights. I dont like the way the factory or any other options look. they all have the "after thought" look. I even entertained the idea of a ElCamino bumper. granted I think that looks kool, but as usual I want to be different.
so, I got to thinking about my color scheme. flat black with red scallops & red steelies. why not run a red stripe along the top of the bed sides & around the top of the tail gate? then in the rolled edge of the gate install some LEDs behind a red plastic custom lense. maybe even have it the whole width of the gate. possibly even have sequential turn signals. then use a shortened factory bumper with a roll pan going from fender to fender to clean up that area.

now, would this take away from the ultra low budget rat-rod style theme that I am so diligently going after? (even though I will have a butt-load of cash in the 472 caddy mill & 4 speed)

any opinions?
Edit/Delete Message

**Palf70Step** · 01-08-2006, 10:51 PM

Idea sounds good. Not sure wethr it would be low buck or not, especially setting up the cougar style( that is what I call them) sequential turns.

68C15 · 01-08-2006, 11:22 PM

palf, I have a schematic that was posted here about 2 years ago for making sequential lights. it doesnt look all that complicated

**Palf70Step** · 01-08-2006, 11:25 PM

So...in that case.....you got it done yet?

cflvulcan · 01-09-2006, 12:38 AM

i got that same problem. i gotta 69 stepside and i cant decide on what to do with the taillights. i was thinking of going across the whole tailgate too. but i plan on hauling my motorcycle so the tailgate is gonna be down and the taillights will be useless but i like your idea in rolled area. later...

tom

**special-K** · 01-09-2006, 12:42 AM

Soundscool.Doesn`t lend to the Rat Rod theme,though.

krue · 01-09-2006, 02:28 AM

I've been thinking about something in the rear stake pocket, but I can't make up my mind what I would want.

Putter · 01-09-2006, 10:38 AM

MMMMMmmmmmmmm....STEAK pocket!!! (Wait, I was thinking about the steak HOT-POCET....nevermind!)

Here are three links to "pre-built" sequential flasher kits....

http://www.blinkblink.com/
&
http://www.sequentialtaillights.com/
&
http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm

**truckdude239** · 01-09-2006, 11:10 AM

Premium72 · 01-09-2006, 11:14 AM

im puttn 55-59 tail lights on my 72 step. not stock and not real custom but somewere in between. and its not real flashy. i want this thing SBD ya know,good luck

ChevLoRay · 01-09-2006, 11:30 AM

If you wanna go the rat rod/old skool style, why not consider some late 40's/early 50's Chevy/GMC truck tail lights? They're different, in that they are somewhat rectangular AND they're easily available in 12V configuration and you can use some LED's for your stop/tail/turn signals. Granted, you won't be using them for a sequential arrangement, but one possibility for that scenario, would be the wide style of LED's that fit beneath the tailgate. You could divvy the lights up into sections for use in sequential arrangement. Then, you could have the entire width light up for stop signals. Then, maybe you could get two of them, using.....aw, you wanna stay low-buck, right?

I know that the rat rod bunch doesn't advocate LED's, but I'm gonna go old skool on my truck, in a tribute to the hot rods that I long for. That means satin black on the body, some traditional flames (scallops are cool, too, but not for my ideas), the red 8 and 10-inch 'Vette-style rally wheels with small caps/hot rod trim rings that I just got powdercoated, and an engine-turned aluminum insert in the dash panel, with S-W white on black gauges. It's already dropped, so eliminating the side trim, and nosing the hood, will get me closer to what I am after.

Sounds like you and I are in the same book, using different songs. Go for it!!

Inthuwind · 01-09-2006, 12:18 PM

I was thinking LED in a roll pan like from Sir Michaels on my stepper. Haven't gotten that far in my project yet--anybody have ideas-lets see 'em.

see ten · 01-09-2006, 06:29 PM

I saw a truck a few years ago that had 65 Impala taillights flipped upside down in his rollpan. I thought it was really trick but I haven't ever seen anyone else do it. I don't know if there is an availability problem, or maybe I just have bad taste and no one else likes them? I would think they could be wired for the sequential signals like the cougar. It would definitely stay with an old school rat rod theme.

Inthuwind · 01-09-2006, 06:54 PM

I thought I saw something like that too--maybe we can find a pic somewhere.

Bowtie67 · 01-09-2006, 08:15 PM

I have wanted to do something as well with my rear lights for many years. But here are some ideas.

Bowtie67 · 01-09-2006, 08:15 PM

One more..

68C15 · 01-10-2006, 09:07 AM

I do like the way they look in the roll pan. problem is around here people follow so close I dont think they would be able to see my lights.
HEY, how about some of those caddy lights in the stake pockets?
that silver truck with the small simple round lights on small mounts looks good too. is that what you are talking about Chevloray?
see ten, I think your idea of 65 Impala lights sounds good too, except for the idiot drivers we have here.

corn · 01-10-2006, 11:38 AM

On my 84 I was going to narrow a stock bumper to match the width of the step bed (best of both worlds rollpan/bumper) & flush some round tailites into it. Ive got a photoshop pic here somewhere if you want...corn

JRB · 01-12-2006, 10:49 PM

I just picked up a set of 66 Lemans Tail Lights. I am trying to figure out if I want to put them in the Roll Pan or the Fenders. Its going to be a little tough putting these in because the backs are slightly rounded so they wont set on a flat surface without making a shim for them. I kinda like the looks of them and the price was only 50 bucks. Just a thought.

JRB

Inthuwind · 01-13-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cornfed63

On my 84 I was going to narrow a stock bumper to match the width of the step bed (best of both worlds rollpan/bumper) & flush some round tailites into it. Ive got a photoshop pic here somewhere if you want...corn

Send them on in!!!!

alf1096 · 01-13-2006, 07:18 PM

There is what I did with mine they are leds

burksde · 01-20-2006, 10:02 PM

Here are a few of mine,,,

*1969owner* · 01-21-2006, 12:51 AM

i would definately get a roll pan, and if i wanted to pull something, i'd get a hidden hitch to come out under the pan, that might be cool.

CochinoFilipino · 02-28-2006, 01:56 AM

Here's mine. But I think I need something mor visible these are pretty low and the lense is covered too much. I'm thinking a third brake light in the front of the bed and doing 65-66 Mustang lights like he orange one above.

shifty · 02-28-2006, 10:59 AM

I don't think Geocities allows you to link to pictures from other websites, Cochino. That picture shows up as a big red X For the rest of us.

Here, I'll attach it to a post:

01-08-2006, 10:39 PM	#1
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	stepside tail light idea ever since I got the stepper I have been pondering what to do for tail lights. I dont like the way the factory or any other options look. they all have the "after thought" look. I even entertained the idea of a ElCamino bumper. granted I think that looks kool, but as usual I want to be different. so, I got to thinking about my color scheme. flat black with red scallops & red steelies. why not run a red stripe along the top of the bed sides & around the top of the tail gate? then in the rolled edge of the gate install some LEDs behind a red plastic custom lense. maybe even have it the whole width of the gate. possibly even have sequential turn signals. then use a shortened factory bumper with a roll pan going from fender to fender to clean up that area. now, would this take away from the ultra low budget rat-rod style theme that I am so diligently going after? (even though I will have a butt-load of cash in the 472 caddy mill & 4 speed) any opinions? Edit/Delete Message __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

01-08-2006, 10:51 PM	#2
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: stepside tail light idea Idea sounds good. Not sure wethr it would be low buck or not, especially setting up the cougar style( that is what I call them) sequential turns. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

01-08-2006, 11:22 PM	#3
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: stepside tail light idea palf, I have a schematic that was posted here about 2 years ago for making sequential lights. it doesnt look all that complicated Attached Images __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

01-08-2006, 11:25 PM	#4
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	Re: stepside tail light idea So...in that case.....you got it done yet? __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

01-09-2006, 12:38 AM	#5
cflvulcan Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Utica, NY Posts: 315	Re: stepside tail light idea i got that same problem. i gotta 69 stepside and i cant decide on what to do with the taillights. i was thinking of going across the whole tailgate too. but i plan on hauling my motorcycle so the tailgate is gonna be down and the taillights will be useless but i like your idea in rolled area. later... tom

01-09-2006, 12:42 AM	#6
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: stepside tail light idea Soundscool.Doesn`t lend to the Rat Rod theme,though. __________________ "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 ~

01-09-2006, 02:28 AM	#7
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Re: stepside tail light idea I've been thinking about something in the rear stake pocket, but I can't make up my mind what I would want. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

01-09-2006, 10:38 AM	#8
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	Re: stepside tail light idea MMMMMmmmmmmmm....STEAK pocket!!! (Wait, I was thinking about the steak HOT-POCET....nevermind!) Here are three links to "pre-built" sequential flasher kits.... http://www.blinkblink.com/ & http://www.sequentialtaillights.com/ & http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

01-09-2006, 11:10 AM	#9
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,237	Re: stepside tail light idea __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

01-09-2006, 11:14 AM	#10
Premium72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Villa Rica Ga Posts: 889	Re: stepside tail light idea im puttn 55-59 tail lights on my 72 step. not stock and not real custom but somewere in between. and its not real flashy. i want this thing SBD ya know,good luck

01-09-2006, 11:30 AM	#11
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: stepside tail light idea If you wanna go the rat rod/old skool style, why not consider some late 40's/early 50's Chevy/GMC truck tail lights? They're different, in that they are somewhat rectangular AND they're easily available in 12V configuration and you can use some LED's for your stop/tail/turn signals. Granted, you won't be using them for a sequential arrangement, but one possibility for that scenario, would be the wide style of LED's that fit beneath the tailgate. You could divvy the lights up into sections for use in sequential arrangement. Then, you could have the entire width light up for stop signals. Then, maybe you could get two of them, using.....aw, you wanna stay low-buck, right? I know that the rat rod bunch doesn't advocate LED's, but I'm gonna go old skool on my truck, in a tribute to the hot rods that I long for. That means satin black on the body, some traditional flames (scallops are cool, too, but not for my ideas), the red 8 and 10-inch 'Vette-style rally wheels with small caps/hot rod trim rings that I just got powdercoated, and an engine-turned aluminum insert in the dash panel, with S-W white on black gauges. It's already dropped, so eliminating the side trim, and nosing the hood, will get me closer to what I am after. Sounds like you and I are in the same book, using different songs. Go for it!! __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.

01-09-2006, 12:18 PM	#12
Inthuwind Straight jacket required Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 882	Re: stepside tail light idea I was thinking LED in a roll pan like from Sir Michaels on my stepper. Haven't gotten that far in my project yet--anybody have ideas-lets see 'em. __________________ 1968 C10 Short Stepper 350/350 A/C P/S P/B Front disc 3/5 static/ 12bolt rear 3:73 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary/455/4spd 2011 H-D Street Glide - CAMMED n lowered Dad always said,"Son, if you can't be good...be good at it."

01-09-2006, 06:29 PM	#13
see ten WTB this ad Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lafayette Georgia Posts: 5,074	Re: stepside tail light idea I saw a truck a few years ago that had 65 Impala taillights flipped upside down in his rollpan. I thought it was really trick but I haven't ever seen anyone else do it. I don't know if there is an availability problem, or maybe I just have bad taste and no one else likes them? I would think they could be wired for the sequential signals like the cougar. It would definitely stay with an old school rat rod theme.

01-09-2006, 06:54 PM	#14
Inthuwind Straight jacket required Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: OKC, OK Posts: 882	Re: stepside tail light idea I thought I saw something like that too--maybe we can find a pic somewhere. __________________ 1968 C10 Short Stepper 350/350 A/C P/S P/B Front disc 3/5 static/ 12bolt rear 3:73 1979 Pontiac Trans Am 10th Anniversary/455/4spd 2011 H-D Street Glide - CAMMED n lowered Dad always said,"Son, if you can't be good...be good at it."

01-09-2006, 08:15 PM	#15
Bowtie67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,266	Re: stepside tail light idea I have wanted to do something as well with my rear lights for many years. But here are some ideas. Attached Images __________________ 1967 C10 - SWBSS Pro Street 427sbc, 700R4 & 4.10 Gears 1948 Chevy FleetMaster Coupe, LS1, (almost done) 1950 Chevy StyleLine Coupe 250/6 3x2 Dueces 2009 Toyota Tundra 1996 Harley RoadKing "I maybe getting old, but I can still burn rubber with the best of them"



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01-09-2006, 08:15 PM	#16
Bowtie67 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,266	Re: stepside tail light idea One more.. Attached Images __________________ 1967 C10 - SWBSS Pro Street 427sbc, 700R4 & 4.10 Gears 1948 Chevy FleetMaster Coupe, LS1, (almost done) 1950 Chevy StyleLine Coupe 250/6 3x2 Dueces 2009 Toyota Tundra 1996 Harley RoadKing "I maybe getting old, but I can still burn rubber with the best of them"

01-10-2006, 09:07 AM	#17
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: stepside tail light idea I do like the way they look in the roll pan. problem is around here people follow so close I dont think they would be able to see my lights. HEY, how about some of those caddy lights in the stake pockets? that silver truck with the small simple round lights on small mounts looks good too. is that what you are talking about Chevloray? see ten, I think your idea of 65 Impala lights sounds good too, except for the idiot drivers we have here. __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

01-10-2006, 11:38 AM	#18
corn Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: here Posts: 5,789	Re: stepside tail light idea On my 84 I was going to narrow a stock bumper to match the width of the step bed (best of both worlds rollpan/bumper) & flush some round tailites into it. Ive got a photoshop pic here somewhere if you want...corn

01-12-2006, 10:49 PM	#19
JRB Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 287	Re: stepside tail light idea I just picked up a set of 66 Lemans Tail Lights. I am trying to figure out if I want to put them in the Roll Pan or the Fenders. Its going to be a little tough putting these in because the backs are slightly rounded so they wont set on a flat surface without making a shim for them. I kinda like the looks of them and the price was only 50 bucks. Just a thought. JRB Attached Images

01-13-2006, 07:18 PM	#21
alf1096 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 124	Re: stepside tail light idea There is what I did with mine they are leds Attached Images __________________ 1970 Short Stepside----Process of Restoring 1983 1/2 Silverado

01-20-2006, 10:02 PM	#22
burksde Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 6	Re: stepside tail light idea Here are a few of mine,,, Attached Images

01-21-2006, 12:51 AM	#23
1969owner Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: martin georgia Posts: 568	Re: stepside tail light idea i would definately get a roll pan, and if i wanted to pull something, i'd get a hidden hitch to come out under the pan, that might be cool.

02-28-2006, 01:56 AM	#24
CochinoFilipino Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Republic of California Posts: 345	Re: stepside tail light idea Here's mine. But I think I need something mor visible these are pretty low and the lense is covered too much. I'm thinking a third brake light in the front of the bed and doing 65-66 Mustang lights like he orange one above. __________________ '67 C10 Short Stepside 5.0TPI/700R4 Last edited by CochinoFilipino; 02-28-2006 at 01:57 AM.

02-28-2006, 10:59 AM	#25
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Re: stepside tail light idea I don't think Geocities allows you to link to pictures from other websites, Cochino. That picture shows up as a big red X For the rest of us. Here, I'll attach it to a post: Attached Images __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM. Last edited by shifty; 02-28-2006 at 11:00 AM.

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