Tunneled Tail Lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Groyd · 11-21-2010, 10:20 PM

I saw an episode on "Trucks", where they tunneled in some '59 Cadillac tail lights on a '49 AD pickup and was wondering if anyone had done it, how hard it was, and if they had any pics of the finished product?

Kim57 · 11-22-2010, 01:18 AM

If you get a set of these it shouldn't be that hard.
Kim
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1959-C...ign=GoogleBase

**mr48chev** · 11-23-2010, 07:50 PM

I did it in my 51 Merc a few years ago. Bottom right photo.

I used a tube from one of those pickup camper tables but a guy should be able to find the right size exhaust pipe at a muffler shop to get some short pieces now pretty easy.

You have to make caps for the inside ends and drill those caps to bolt the lights to them.
The real trick is to get them square to the truck and square with each other especially if they are staggered a bit.

Groyd · 11-24-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr48chev

The real trick is to get them square to the truck and square with each other especially if they are staggered a bit.

Thats what has me scared is getting them square. I'll probably give it a shot in the next couple of weeks.

Indian113 · 11-24-2010, 08:59 PM

Groyd, could you put a long bolt in the hole for bolting up the TL and use a magnetic level as you install it? I'm going to french in Caddy lites in my 53 and I hope thats how I'll get them done!

Groyd · 11-24-2010, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indian113

Groyd, could you put a long bolt in the hole for bolting up the TL and use a magnetic level as you install it? I'm going to french in Caddy lites in my 53 and I hope thats how I'll get them done!

I had never thought of that, it sounds like an excellent idea.

-MG

OrrieG · 11-25-2010, 02:25 PM

Spot weld, check. weld 180 degrees to spot weld, small bead, check. keep moving in small welds opposite each other to minimize the tube moving when you weld it. I see this more than I should on field welded structural steel, you would think certified welders would know (or remember, or care) that running heavy continuous beads will pull the metal. Also learned on a recent fire damage job 2200 degree heat will bend 1/2" heavy steel columns!

fabguy · 11-25-2010, 11:04 PM

Certified structural welders do know this, but most of the time it is the engineers who don't, so they spec. It out for full welds and all we can do, is do what we are told otherwise the liability is on us. Alot of times you will see a guy on each end of a beam welding simultaniously.

Thank god I only work on elevators.
Posted via Mobile Device

11-21-2010, 10:20 PM	#1
Groyd Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 393	Tunneled Tail Lights I saw an episode on "Trucks", where they tunneled in some '59 Cadillac tail lights on a '49 AD pickup and was wondering if anyone had done it, how hard it was, and if they had any pics of the finished product? __________________ 1951 Chevy 3100/S-10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=406072 1957 Chevy 3200 1971 2WD Blazer - Sold

11-22-2010, 01:18 AM	#2
Kim57 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Corona, California Posts: 7,998	Re: Tunneled Tail Lights If you get a set of these it shouldn't be that hard. Kim http://www.speedwaymotors.com/1959-C...ign=GoogleBase

11-23-2010, 07:50 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,718	Re: Tunneled Tail Lights I did it in my 51 Merc a few years ago. Bottom right photo. I used a tube from one of those pickup camper tables but a guy should be able to find the right size exhaust pipe at a muffler shop to get some short pieces now pretty easy. You have to make caps for the inside ends and drill those caps to bolt the lights to them. The real trick is to get them square to the truck and square with each other especially if they are staggered a bit. Last edited by mr48chev; 11-23-2010 at 07:50 PM.

11-24-2010, 08:59 PM	#5
Indian113 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Monroe,Iowa Posts: 4,370	Re: Tunneled Tail Lights Groyd, could you put a long bolt in the hole for bolting up the TL and use a magnetic level as you install it? I'm going to french in Caddy lites in my 53 and I hope thats how I'll get them done!

11-25-2010, 02:25 PM	#7
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: Tunneled Tail Lights Spot weld, check. weld 180 degrees to spot weld, small bead, check. keep moving in small welds opposite each other to minimize the tube moving when you weld it. I see this more than I should on field welded structural steel, you would think certified welders would know (or remember, or care) that running heavy continuous beads will pull the metal. Also learned on a recent fire damage job 2200 degree heat will bend 1/2" heavy steel columns! __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project Last edited by OrrieG; 11-25-2010 at 02:26 PM.

11-25-2010, 11:04 PM	#8
fabguy Elev8r Man Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 835	Re: Tunneled Tail Lights Certified structural welders do know this, but most of the time it is the engineers who don't, so they spec. It out for full welds and all we can do, is do what we are told otherwise the liability is on us. Alot of times you will see a guy on each end of a beam welding simultaniously. Thank god I only work on elevators. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1955.2 C4 Carry-all / Suburban ---> 55.2 Build Thread!! 1958 Fleetside SWB ---> 58 Fleetside Build thread 1939 2 door sedan *My F.B. project page.*



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