67-72 step side tail question

[atm70chevy]

Can someone please help me with how the tail lights are mounted? I thought this would be a simple bolt on but with me nothing is simple... I have the tail light bracket but something either isn’t right with the holes in the bracket or on my bed because they will not line up. I looked in the assembly manual and cannot find them anywhere in it. I took my old ones off years ago and didn’t take pictures or keep the old brackets.

Thanks,
Anthony

[atm70chevy]

It seems like these holes are too because when I hold the brake light in place it hits the bumper.

[atm70chevy]

This is the bracket I have.

[67C10Step]

Those holes are too low. Look like the holes for the rear cross sill. The tail light mounts more towards the center measuring up from the bottom.

[REDROCKER652002]

My son has his 69 right now, but I will try and get a photo of how his mount. I think we have the same bracket as you do. Stand by, I will work on it tonight.

[atm70chevy]

That would be extremely helpful!! Thank you

[fb111ewo]

Does this help?

[atm70chevy]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

Those holes are too low. Look like the holes for the rear cross sill. The tail light mounts more towards the center measuring up from the bottom.

So are there supposed to be bolts in these holes for the rear cross sill?

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by atm70chevy

So are there supposed to be bolts in these holes for the rear cross sill?

When I took my stepside bed apart a few months ago there were bolts there
for the cross sill and a small bead of weld down each side.

Next set of holes up from that were for back up light bracket and the next set up were for the tail light bracket.

[Boog]

Bill it seems like to me my tail and backup lamps are on the same bracket. Mine is OE so I’ll have a look at it tonight. Also the OP’s bracket is likely aftermarket.

[atm70chevy]

Hummm.... I don't think my bed has those other holes. It's possible they were accidently filled when the body work was being done.

[atm70chevy]

Originally Posted by fb111ewo

Does this help?

Thanks for the picture.

[Daves70]

My 67. Bolts aren't "correct" Sorry for the sideways pics. I forgot that I had to turn the phone.

[REDROCKER652002]

i can't seem to get the photo's to download. But it looks like you have the answer you are looking for. My son's bracket is the same as yours. He mounted it in the upper holes about halfway up. He only used one bolt for some reason. I have a feeling it is because he could not get the bolt in between the fender and the rail. If I can get the photo to load I will, but the pics above are better than what I can get

[atm70chevy]

Ok something must not be right with my bed. I checked when I got home from work and the only holes in my bed are the ones close to the bumper which I found out were for the rear cross sill and the ones at the top for the tailgate chains. I have looked through the stake pocket from the top and bottom and there are no signs of any other holes at all.... Anyone have any thoughts? Do I just need to drill holes in the stake pockets?

Thanks again for the help and pictures.

[1971Stepside]

I ordered new bedsides. They didn't come with the holes for the lamps drilled. Just the hole for the tailgate chain and the lower rear sill. I had to drill them for the lamps.

[ohboy321]

I'll add a couple of more pictures, including one from the rear to show reference to the sport bumper. I believe my bed is a 67.

[atm70chevy]

Originally Posted by 1971Stepside

I ordered new bedsides. They didn't come with the holes for the lamps drilled. Just the hole for the tailgate chain and the lower rear sill. I had to drill them for the lamps.

Looks like that's what I am going to have to do. How did you attach the nuts to the bolts? Were you able to hold the nuts with some long plies or something?

[atm70chevy]

Originally Posted by ohboy321

I'll add a couple of more pictures, including one from the rear to show reference to the sport bumper. I believe my bed is a 67.

Thanks for the pictures. My bedside doesn't have any of those holes.

[72c20customcamper]

Originally Posted by atm70chevy

Looks like that's what I am going to have to do. How did you attach the nuts to the bolts? Were you able to hold the nuts with some long plies or something?

Is yours a GM or aftermarket? On my original the nuts are welded to the panel

[1971Stepside]

Looks like that's what I am going to have to do. How did you attach the nuts to the bolts? Were you able to hold the nuts with some long plies or something?

My wife has hands small enough to reach up in there and hold the nut while I tightened it

[Boog]

I just checked my bed and tail lamps. The holes have weld nuts inside that corner post. And my lamp brackets are separate like above. It's been so long since I've seen them I forgot how they were configured.
Now what the OP can do about his is a good question since his is already painted. Since the large lamps mount mid way up that post it will be difficult to get a nut down in there but I bet you can put a nut on the end of a magnet stick and push it up from the bottom to hold it in place while you thread a bolt into it. Then use a long box end wrench ( weld an extension to the wrench if need be ) to hold it. Easy peasy.

Now if someone will get you the measurements for each of those holes for locating them you will be all set.