Rear direction indicators on 63 GMC - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

welsh kev · 03-27-2006, 05:27 PM

OK, here's one for the electrical geniuses amongst you.

I have a 63 fleetside, with standard lights/wiring. Since British motorists are not familiar with the indicator set-up (ie red light flashing) I have had several near misses when switching lanes of traffic, obviously it's difficult enough already since we drive on the "wrong" side over here.

So what I'm thinking of doing is, wiring the back-up lamps as indicators, with orange bulbs in, so as not to lose the original look of the truck. They don't work anyway (I think the gearbox switch is faulty) so I won't miss them!

How do I go about it; has anyone else done this?

Thanks

Kev

60-66 Nut · 03-28-2006, 10:36 AM

Kev, if I understand you correctly you want to change it over to a separate brake-turn signal setup like most of the imports and many later model American vehicles here. Should not be that hard to do. You may be able to use the same wires you already have running back there if you can isolate them from the rest, but it may be easier to run new wires. This may also be the best way to be sure that you don't get anything crossed-up, because you have to be sure that both the back up lights and the signals are disconnected from their old power source. In order to make it work right, your new rear signals will have to be tied in with the front signals. This can be done at the firewall where they plug in or under the dash. Then the old rear signals will become brake lights only, working independently from the signal switch. To do this, just hook both of the old signal light wires to directly to the brake light switch. Hope I explained it well enough, pm me if you have any questions. Best of luck.

60-66 Nut

6066gmcguy · 03-28-2006, 04:38 PM

OK Here is what you can do, first find the brake light wire that comes off the brake light switch and feeds up the colunm, remove this wire from the brake light switch and install anew wire in it's place that runs to the rear of the truck. remove the turn/brake light wires from the old tail lights, and install the new brake light wire in their place. Now put the old turn light wires in place of the backup light wires to power the back up lights and install amber bulbs. that about all there is to it.

So basiclly you run one new wire from the brake light switch to the brake lights, and move two wires from the tail lights to the back up lights.

welsh kev · 03-28-2006, 05:41 PM

Excellent, guys; thanks very much for the help!

03-27-2006, 05:27 PM	#1
welsh kev Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Carmarthen, Wales, UK Posts: 102	Rear direction indicators on 63 GMC OK, here's one for the electrical geniuses amongst you. I have a 63 fleetside, with standard lights/wiring. Since British motorists are not familiar with the indicator set-up (ie red light flashing) I have had several near misses when switching lanes of traffic, obviously it's difficult enough already since we drive on the "wrong" side over here. So what I'm thinking of doing is, wiring the back-up lamps as indicators, with orange bulbs in, so as not to lose the original look of the truck. They don't work anyway (I think the gearbox switch is faulty) so I won't miss them! How do I go about it; has anyone else done this? Thanks Kev

03-28-2006, 10:36 AM	#2
60-66 Nut Professional Beer Tester Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 453	Re: Rear direction indicators on 63 GMC Kev, if I understand you correctly you want to change it over to a separate brake-turn signal setup like most of the imports and many later model American vehicles here. Should not be that hard to do. You may be able to use the same wires you already have running back there if you can isolate them from the rest, but it may be easier to run new wires. This may also be the best way to be sure that you don't get anything crossed-up, because you have to be sure that both the back up lights and the signals are disconnected from their old power source. In order to make it work right, your new rear signals will have to be tied in with the front signals. This can be done at the firewall where they plug in or under the dash. Then the old rear signals will become brake lights only, working independently from the signal switch. To do this, just hook both of the old signal light wires to directly to the brake light switch. Hope I explained it well enough, pm me if you have any questions. Best of luck. 60-66 Nut __________________ 60 Ford F100 Custom Cab 61 Apache Short Fleetside 64 C10 Short Stepside 65 C80 409 V8 5spd(X-Firetruck) 83 GMC 350 Olds Diesel 85 GMC Short Bed 86 GMC Short Bed 90 GMC R3500 Crew Cab 92 GMC 1500

03-28-2006, 04:38 PM	#3
6066gmcguy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 134	Re: Rear direction indicators on 63 GMC OK Here is what you can do, first find the brake light wire that comes off the brake light switch and feeds up the colunm, remove this wire from the brake light switch and install anew wire in it's place that runs to the rear of the truck. remove the turn/brake light wires from the old tail lights, and install the new brake light wire in their place. Now put the old turn light wires in place of the backup light wires to power the back up lights and install amber bulbs. that about all there is to it. So basiclly you run one new wire from the brake light switch to the brake lights, and move two wires from the tail lights to the back up lights. __________________ Jolly ~ The 6066 GMC Guy Try the 6066 GMC Guy Facebook Page Jolly's Truck & Car Show Page!

03-28-2006, 05:41 PM	#4
welsh kev Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Carmarthen, Wales, UK Posts: 102	Re: Rear direction indicators on 63 GMC Excellent, guys; thanks very much for the help!



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