Stepside reverse lights... Years, and differences?

[Brad54]

I found two long-bed step-side trucks in a junkyard... I think they're both GMC, if I remember correctly.
No tail gates or front end sheetmetal, but the dash in one was for sure a GMC. Both were Municipal Orange trucks.

Both had reverse light assemblies on the fenders.

How rare are these, and what's the interchangeability? I thought I remember reading somewhere that step-side fenders are the same going back into the '50s, but there was something about a one-year only reverse light in '66 or something.

Anything unique about them? Anything I should know? Are they even worth pulling off?

-Brad

[slorio]

Reverse lights were 66 only for the stepsides. I have them on mine. I guess they would be worth pulling if they were in good shape, but I think repros are readily available.
regards,
Steve
New Orleans

[toddabrown]

I have a '66 stepside and it does not have reverse lights. however, the previous owner was a real hacker and i am sure he probably removed them and changed the fenders. does anyone have a picture of where they mount and how they mount? i cant find any pics online. i will buy some from brothers or lmc who both sell them.

[jonzcustomshop]

a 66 I used to have

[toddabrown]

Jonz. Thanks for those pics. Really appreciate that. Now I can see what the heck to do!
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[toddabrown]

Woogeroo. Those are sweet! I like that set up.
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[morgan357]

Any one looking for a couple fenders with the back up lights on the step fenders let me know? I just bought a fleet bed and am going to switch them soon. One's dented but not near the light and the right is almost perfect.These are off a 66' and I've heard that there's a diff? between the ones that have a "dip" where the light is and one's that don't? these have the dip.

[luvbowties]

Originally Posted by Woogeroo

reverse lights were an option that could be ordered.

They were standard in 1966 on Chevrolets, fleetsides and stepsides.

There was a Federal highway act that was going into effect in the mid to late 1960's... which among many other things, mandated all new vehicles be equipped with reverse lights, so GM went ahead and added them early.

There is a step side fender, which has an indentation on it where the reverse light mounts... but not all step sides with reverse lights have this bend in the metal on the back of the fender.

Last I read it had not been determined if this difference in the fender was only from one assembly plant or what the deal was there. Maybe someone has found a explanation since.



-W

Hey Woogeroo, I've "heard" for years that indented step fenders ONLY came on '66 models. So far, all step fenders I've seen to "KNOW" were '66 had the indents for the b-u lights; and the known-to-be non-'66 step fenders have NOT had them. No written, documented evidence--just empirical(I just learned that word 2 weeks ago!).
Sam