whats the story about 1968 sidemarker lights

[thewishartkid]

Some sidelights have a hole for a lightbulb and some dont? All have 1968 pat. on them!Whats the deal?

[Green Machine]

1968 required reflectors only. 1969 or 70 were required to be lighted. True original 68 reflectors have no bulb hole, but look like they were getting ready for lights. If you have a mix, some are not original and were replaced.

[TugOwar]

I'm thinking the requirement changed part way through the 68 production year. Thus some late production 68s have lighted markers, I could be wrong.

[Palf70Step]

1969 was the changeover year. Reflectors were standard (no bolb, but there was the recess in the fender for the bulb wiring In 1970 lights were standard, no more reflector only.

[Longhorn Man]

Not totally acurate...
in 68 and 69, reflectors were required, and offered as base equipment. However, there was an option for side marker lights.
However, any cab/chassis truck sold, was required to have not only functional sie markers, but also clearance lights on the roof too. These were considered standard options, and you were charged for them on top of the base model truck price. So some 68 models will have lights and not just reflectors.
In 70, the lights became standard equipment.

[TugOwar]

And there you have it folks! Thanks for clearing that up Andy.

[Palf70Step]

Dang it Andy just when I thought I finally knew one. I always for get about the bigger cab chassis thing. Hey, I'm just a C10'r. Time for me to go back to kindergarten and relearn. I must admit, I didn't know you could get the side lights on any of the 68's. Thanks for the info Andy.

[special-K]

Actually,not 100% correct.I had a`68 that i clipped a utility pole with and it didn`t have any light or reflector on the passenger side and it came with a burned out bulb on the driver side.The p.o. told me it was factory.He told me the oak flatbed was a rare option and it came with 12 side markers.So there!

[bouncytruck]

Actually, in '69, the fronts were reflectors and the rear were lights (at least on a Blazer.)

[76bonanza]

I checked with the dmv and my state insepector, and in missouri at least you do not have to have lighted side markers just reflectors (this for any passanger car or truck). So I just left mine with out lights. There are some models of cars being produced now that have no lighted side markers just reflectors.

[wolfthing2000]

Here is my theory about them: remove, cut scrap metal to fit hole, weld in, fill and paint.

[Longhorn Man]

Actually, by fed law, in 68 all passenger cars were required to have markers on the front, and reflectors in back. I'm not sure when the feds required rear markers.

[wolfthing2000]

My wifes 80 Wagoneer has reflectors on front

[pritch]

All I know is that my '68 Panel did not come from the factory with side lights, but somewhere down the line a P.O. put lights in. He hacked into the wiring harness to do it. Of course, they didn't work when I bought it. The '68 Burb I bought for parts had all the original reflectors without light bulb holes, so that's what I have now. Easier to explain to the yearly inspector guy that way.