Parking lights in grill

[jlindquist]

I have a '71 Jimmy and can't seem to find new grill mounted parking light assemblies. I've seen the aftermarket lenses, but I need the actual light assembly. Anyone know where I can find a set? They mount below the headlights. Hard to see in the picture. Any assistance will be much appreciated!

[Tom Vogel]

I don't know of any aftermarket ones, at least I couldn't find any. I powder-coated mine metallic silver. As for the pigtails, I cleaned the rubber parts with lacquer thinner and shrink wrapped them that along with the new lenses, and they look brand new.

[jlindquist]

Thank Tom. Unfortunately, I don't have the old ones to refurbish.

[Tom Vogel]

You might try this guy. He has a lot of parts. http://www.vintagechevytrucks.com/

[jlindquist]

Thanks for sharing. Found a set on his eBay store.

[skorpioskorpio]

I picked up some aftermarket lenses in both clear (LMC) and amber (GMC Pauls) and have my faded originals and side by side they all look like they came out of the same mold (except the originals have a Guide logo on them). I really don't see a quality difference between the 3 and I'm pretty particular. The reflectors on the other hand are *not* reproduced...but they are cast and polishable.

Here is a before and after, and actually the before was the worse one:

You basically need to sand off the original plating with 240 wet/dry paper (which is probably flaking or bubbling after 40 years) and work your way up to 1500 or 2000 wet/dry (use wet BTW). After you get as good as you'll get with paper (be kind of a satin finish) then use an S.O.S pad, then 0000 steel wool, then Mothers Billet Polish (little can from Pep Boys, great stuff). Picture doesn't actually do it justice, they are like mirrors. Still deciding what I want to put on them as a protectant, Carnauba wax works well, but not sure how it'd hold up to the heat of the bulb, engine enamel clear coat is another option or there is product specifically for protecting polished metal.

[1972 Jimmy]

Originally Posted by skorpioskorpio

I picked up some aftermarket lenses in both clear (LMC) and amber (GMC Pauls) and have my faded originals and side by side they all look like they came out of the same mold (except the originals have a Guide logo on them). I really don't see a quality difference between the 3 and I'm pretty particular. The reflectors on the other hand are *not* reproduced...but they are cast and polishable.

Here is a before and after, and actually the before was the worse one:
Attachment 1377452
You basically need to sand off the original plating with 240 wet/dry paper (which is probably flaking or bubbling after 40 years) and work your way up to 1500 or 2000 wet/dry (use wet BTW). After you get as good as you'll get with paper (be kind of a satin finish) then use an S.O.S pad, then 0000 steel wool, then Mothers Billet Polish (little can from Pep Boys, great stuff). Picture doesn't actually do it justice, they are like mirrors. Still deciding what I want to put on them as a protectant, Carnauba wax works well, but not sure how it'd hold up to the heat of the bulb, engine enamel clear coat is another option or there is product specifically for protecting polished metal.

Great idea! I'm definitely going to do this to mine!!