tail light "tabs" on repo bedsides - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

RedRider · 04-10-2018, 08:04 PM

I'm trying to install the tail light housings back into the bed, but these tabs (circled) won't let them sit flush with the back part (where the bolt holes are).

I bent them back on one side and the lights fit, just wanted to check before I bent this side. What are they for?

Robznob11 · 04-10-2018, 09:31 PM

My oe's were not flush either

**LockDoc** · 04-10-2018, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRider

I'm trying to install the tail light housings back into the bed, but these tabs (circled) won't let them sit flush with the back part (where the bolt holes are).

I bent them back on one side and the lights fit, just wanted to check before I bent this side. What are they for?

I just ordered a pair of SB sides & they should be here any day now. I will have to go out in the morning and look at one of my original long beds to see what they look like on them.

LockDoc

**Smitty** · 04-11-2018, 08:07 AM

Getting there Josh!

RedRider · 04-11-2018, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robznob11

My oe's were not flush either

Interesting. Did you have to do any modifying to fit the tail light housings?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I just ordered a pair of SB sides & they should be here any day now. I will have to go out in the morning and look at one of my original long beds to see what they look like on them.

Doc, I'd be interested to see what yours look like when they arrive. The tabs must be there for a reason right?

Not sure where you ordered your bedsides from, but one of mine fit perfectly (driver side) while the other (pass side) was 1/2" off. Curious to see how they line up for you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smitty

Getting there Josh!

Thanks Smitty! It like eating an elephant...one bite at a time.

Robznob11 · 04-11-2018, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRider

Interesting. Did you have to do any modifying to fit the tail light housings?

Doc, I'd be interested to see what yours look like when they arrive. The tabs must be there for a reason right?

Not sure where you ordered your bedsides from, but one of mine fit perfectly (driver side) while the other (pass side) was 1/2" off. Curious to see how they line up for you.

Thanks Smitty! It like eating an elephant...one bite at a time.

Well I could not do much to mine cause the paint was already on. I wish the Fesler lenses sit a bit more flush but I can live with them. The stockers were a little more flush. Fix it now if it bothers you! Lol!

67ChevyRedneck · 04-11-2018, 10:30 AM

Untouched original paint OEM bedside with the OEM buckets:

**LockDoc** · 04-11-2018, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I just ordered a pair of SB sides & they should be here any day now. I will have to go out in the morning and look at one of my original long beds to see what they look like on them.

LockDoc

I checked all of my stock beds and almost none of them measure the same. On all of them the bottom inside corner of the tail light lens sticks out about 1/4" and the top outside corner is in about 1/8". The ones that have the trim on the tail lights line up pretty good on the crooked lens. They must have designed them all for the lens to use the trim and the ones that didn't get the trim were just cockeyed..... Dunno, still farm trucks I guess..

... The tabs are what the tail light buckets are supposed to sit against, they are actually 1/8" to 1/4" away from the back mounting plate.

LockDoc

**FirstOwner69** · 04-11-2018, 01:20 PM

My lenses were crooked in the bedside when the truck was new. I've "adjusted" the tabs a few times. Typical 1969 fit and finish. They were only trucks.

RedRider · 04-12-2018, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LockDoc

... The tabs are what the tail light buckets are supposed to sit against, they are actually 1/8" to 1/4" away from the back mounting plate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

My lenses were crooked in the bedside when the truck was new. I've "adjusted" the tabs a few times. Typical 1969 fit and finish. They were only trucks.

Sounds like the consensus is "bend to fit".

**LockDoc** · 04-12-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedRider

Sounds like the consensus is "bend to fit".

About the only thing you can do if you want them to fit flush. Show us some pictures of what you did and how the lenses fit when you get them done.

Thanks,
LockDoc

**clay68c10** · 04-12-2018, 06:49 PM

Definitely typical fit for the era.

My fancy-pants Caddy has better fit than these trucks, but it doesn’t hold a candle compared to newer cars.

04-10-2018, 08:04 PM	#1
RedRider Registered User Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Poway, CA Posts: 356	tail light "tabs" on repo bedsides I'm trying to install the tail light housings back into the bed, but these tabs (circled) won't let them sit flush with the back part (where the bolt holes are). I bent them back on one side and the lights fit, just wanted to check before I bent this side. What are they for? __________________ 1970 C-10 "Old Yeller"

04-10-2018, 09:31 PM	#2
Robznob11 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: brownfield texas (west texas) Posts: 1,936	Re: tail light "tabs" on repo bedsides My oe's were not flush either __________________ The Ghost 67 short wide full custom. 550 hp LSX, 4l80E, narrowed 9". Body dropped w/air ride! ........................ ___ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(⊙)___//___/__(O)_/ @disciple2.rc 💪instagram💪 LED TAILS

04-11-2018, 08:07 AM	#4
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Spring Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,136	Re: tail light "tabs" on repo bedsides Getting there Josh! __________________ Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca.

04-11-2018, 10:30 AM	#7
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: tail light "tabs" on repo bedsides Untouched original paint OEM bedside with the OEM buckets: __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

04-11-2018, 01:20 PM	#9
FirstOwner69 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin & Arizona Posts: 4,852	Re: tail light "tabs" on repo bedsides My lenses were crooked in the bedside when the truck was new. I've "adjusted" the tabs a few times. Typical 1969 fit and finish. They were only trucks.

04-12-2018, 06:49 PM	#12
clay68c10 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Centennial, CO Posts: 2,990	Re: tail light "tabs" on repo bedsides Definitely typical fit for the era. My fancy-pants Caddy has better fit than these trucks, but it doesn’t hold a candle compared to newer cars. __________________ ClusterTruck: 68 C10 Bought in 89, wrecked in 03. Slow low $ rebuild started '17. 6.0 & TKO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=788602 93 K1500 Short Step, 350, NV4500, EBL flash ECU. Vortec heads & roller cam someday... 05 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. 3” lift & 6-speed 02 E320 the insurance total “free car” 13 Tahoe LTZ

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