'81 Custom with Lights in the Bumper

[Oberon67]

Hi all.

I have an '81 that is a pure farm truck... two-tone light blue and white, fleetside, 8-foot bed, 2WD, and the 250 inline 6. It has no AC but it does have a Saginaw 3 on the tree. The factory AM radio doesn't even make a noise.

I'm trying to do some repair work on it, so I picked up a pair of turn signal light assemblies online. These mount in the front bumper.

Now, I was able to get the two original light housing/lens assemblies out of the bumper (barely), but the new ones just won't go in. They're a little fatter front to back, and so lack the clearance to allow them to pivot into place.

It's starting to look like I'm going to have to take the bumper off to swap out these lights, which I would really rather not have to do.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you solve it?

Thanks,

Oberon67

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Oberon67

Hi all.

I have an '81 that is a pure farm truck... two-tone light blue and white, fleetside, 8-foot bed, 2WD, and the 250 inline 6. It has no AC but it does have a Saginaw 3 on the tree. The factory AM radio doesn't even make a noise.

I'm trying to do some repair work on it, so I picked up a pair of turn signal light assemblies online. These mount in the front bumper.

Now, I was able to get the two original light housing/lens assemblies out of the bumper (barely), but the new ones just won't go in. They're a little fatter front to back, and so lack the clearance to allow them to pivot into place.

It's starting to look like I'm going to have to take the bumper off to swap out these lights, which I would really rather not have to do.

Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, how did you solve it?

Thanks,

Oberon67

I changed out my assemblies with some NOS parts that I found. I had the same problem also. I tried different angles and finally got them in. I believe the drivers side was a bit harder than the passenger side. Do I remember exactly how? Lol, no sorry I don’t. Other than I eventually did get them in. I want to say I did take out one of the bumper backer bolt and loosened another. But I did not have to take the bumper off.

[Oberon67]

I want to say I did take out one of the bumper backer bolt and loosened another.

I think I can probably get enough clearance by just loosening things up rather than taking the bumper off. Thanks for the input.

[Oberon67]

Update: I got the passenger-side light in! I removed the four bumper bolts on that side to do it, but it gave me enough wiggle-room to install the light assembly and complete the job (on that side anyway).

In the process, one of the bolts got so bound up while I was attempting to back the nut off, I wound up cutting the head off the bolt using a Dremel tool and three cutter wheels in turn. For another I had to grab the head with ChannelLocks to get the nut all the way off, which tore the bolt up some but at least it came out.

Now, you'd think that sourcing these replacement bolts would be simple, wouldn't you? Au contraire mon frere... lots of places list the part, but only list one (1) in stock. Other places list a half-dozen bolts that look more or less right, but when you read the details the dimensions don't match what I've got.

I wound up buying a full bolt kit on Amazon, and I guess we'll see if they match the originals. I suspect the answer might be "close enough for a farm truck."

[Oberon67]

Well, I got the lights in. Bumper bolts are still in the mail, so I'll see to them when they get here. Now that I've had them all out one time (although not all at once), getting them out the second time will be easier.

Note: The fresh new turn signals have served to point out how rusty and shabby the painted bumper appears. Time to bust out the power sander and the white Rust-O-leum...

[TKCR]

Originally Posted by Oberon67

Well, I got the lights in. Bumper bolts are still in the mail, so I'll see to them when they get here. Now that I've had them all out one time (although not all at once), getting them out the second time will be easier.

Note: The fresh new turn signals have served to point out how rusty and shabby the painted bumper appears. Time to bust out the power sander and the white Rust-O-leum...

Good job!