I need your opion!

[yote1234]

i have purchased a nos set of back up lights for my 65. but im not sure if i will install them or not.. undecided! so i'll let you all help me decide! below is a pic of truck with out and pic of nos lights....so...what do you think?
install or not ??? thanx for your time... coyote dave

[vin63]

How often do you drive your truck (daily driver, night time, etc.)? If it were me and I drive the truck daily and at night, I would install the back up lights. If it were just a weekend truck that I only drive during the day, I probably wouldn't.

[oldtrux]

i say go for it.i like the looks of the reverse lights with the chrome ring and all!also nice to have them,it's a pain in the ass when reversing and people don't know you are!just my thoughts....nice truck by the way.cheers dan.

[markeb01]

That’s a very tough call. I’m a hot rodder at heart, and since I like the practicality of back up lights my first thought is to install them. Being NOS and of the same vintage as the truck, it wouldn’t hurt anything from a value standpoint.

But the restorer part of me would be hesitant. The truck has survived 46 or so years without them, and once they go on, then comes the wiring, and the activation switch, wire ties or clamps, etc. It will different from then on.

So for a direct answer I’d probably leave it the way it is, and add the lamps to a display collection.

[Clyde65]

Dont.

[chad64chevy]

jmo, i would install them! i have a set that i'll be installing on my truck because it will be my daily driver, and will be drove day and night!! if you dont want to install them i would just sell them as nos backup lights!!

[yote1234]

wow...thanx for the fast response everyone! i do appriciate your opion..
and yes i am going to use it as a daily driver only in the winter time as it has no air conditioning. and i im in the sunny/hot! arizona desert. 120 deg...if i do install these it will be the only chrome on it....

as far as functuality.. they're needed!.
but what do you all think about the looks of these trucks? better with? or without?

[srziemkowski]

I think you should just sell them,yours would look better without,so......how much would you be trying to sell these for?

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by markeb01

That’s a very tough call. I’m a hot rodder at heart, and since I like the practicality of back up lights my first thought is to install them. Being NOS and of the same vintage as the truck, it wouldn’t hurt anything from a value standpoint.

But the restorer part of me would be hesitant. The truck has survived 46 or so years without them, and once they go on, then comes the wiring, and the activation switch, wire ties or clamps, etc. It will different from then on.

So for a direct answer I’d probably leave it the way it is, and add the lamps to a display collection.

I think similar.
Neat old parts are just as cool displayed hanging in a nice shop.

[srziemkowski]

Hey now i didnt mean it that way,i meant i have two empty holes under my taillamps to fill. Lol

[61_FL_Apache]

Mine is a DD and I dont use any. I would leave them off and sell them to the guy above.

[eric65chevy]

have you thought of putting em on the bumper? just an idea...

[glos55]

I agree with markeb01 also eric65chevy has a novel idea with them in the bumper! That might look really good! I'd shelve them for now and sleep on it before you start drilling holes.

[UK62LW]

Leave em off

[SFTorange]

I just got my brand new ones mounted up, and they look pretty good... My truck's a '66 though so it had the lights from the factory.

[willyp]

i would leave them off. your truck looks pretty original................guys are gonna see the 65 emblems and always ask if you have a 66 bed on a 65 truck.

sft that gas filler door looks good.

[Frizzle Fry]

I've always liked the how they look.
Posted via Mobile Device

[64fleetside]

I put them on both of my 64's, and with Wagner #795 bulbs they work fantastic. Back up light have been optional since the 50's on these trucks.

['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by oldtrux

i say go for it.i like the looks of the reverse lights with the chrome ring and all!also nice to have them,it's a pain in the ass when reversing and people don't know you are!just my thoughts....nice truck by the way.cheers dan.

I can't stand it when people can't tell that a 3 ton lifted red truck is backing up either. I always get people honking when I'm backing up and the occasional guy in a BMW yelling "hello!... backup lights!" Makes me want to floor it and really scare 'em... But that's just the road rage in me. I say run 'em. They look good, they are practical and I think I would enjoy talking to anyone who'd be sharp enough to even notice that they didn't come on the truck. Just my .02

[joedoh]

I picked up a set last week and plan on using them in good health. My reasoning is that my truck is such a mutt anyway, 62 bed, 65 cab, 63 front clip a nd grille, 62 front framerails, 98 frame and drivetrain, that the "year correct guys" would fall over in histrionics looking at it anyway. Plus the 98 wiring harness already has the wire at the back, win win.

[yote1234]

again.. i love the imput. and its very educational! from what i am understanding that the 65's didnt come with back up lights factory? and the 66's did? or were they just optional??? ...this is important as i do want to keep it "factory correct".

also. putting them in the bumper is good idea! another great idea is on the "collectors shelve". alot of great advise!

and...thanx for replies!!! you guyz rock! coyotedave

[likaroc13]

tough call...some goober did a bad job of trying to eliminate the backup light holes on my truck bed...my plan was to re-drill the holes and install lights...mine is a '66...i think they compliment a truck with the chrome rear bumper and various other chrome/stainless trim...but if it would be the only chrome on your truck, i'd probably leave them off....that said, they do offer a practicality aspect if you're daily driving

[likaroc13]

Originally Posted by yote1234

again.. i love the imput. and its very educational! from what i am understanding that the 65's didnt come with back up lights factory? and the 66's did? or were they just optional??? ...this is important as i do want to keep it "factory correct".

if i'm not mistaken they were optional up until '66, when they became standard

[oem4me]

Backups were standard in 66, but you could have ordered them as an option in 65 and earlier. If you installed them as per factory, nobody would know the difference. Aesthetically speaking, as the sole chrome accessory on your truck, they might look out of place but not incorrect. I like the idea of bumper mounted lights (aftermarket), but perhaps under the bumper and recessed just a little so they don't stand out.

[yote1234]

Originally Posted by eric65chevy

have you thought of putting em on the bumper? just an idea...

considering it! good idea. thx

Originally Posted by glos55

I agree with markeb01 also eric65chevy has a novel idea with them in the bumper! That might look really good! I'd shelve them for now and sleep on it before you start drilling holes.

another great idea.. i've god some rare stuff in garage..

Originally Posted by SFTorange

I just got my brand new ones mounted up, and they look pretty good... My truck's a '66 though so it had the lights from the factory.

nice to know this! want to keep it factory correct! but could the 65 came with optioned reverse lights?

[quote=willyp;4841176]i would leave them off. your truck looks pretty original................guys are gonna see the 65 emblems and always ask if you have a 66 bed on a 65 truck.
thanx for complenent!..again..could the 65 been ordered with the back up lights?

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

I've always liked the how they look.
Posted via Mobile Device

agreed! me two..

Originally Posted by 64fleetside

I put them on both of my 64's, and with Wagner #795 bulbs they work fantastic. Back up light have been optional since the 50's on these trucks.

ok... optional? on 65's?

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

I can't stand it when people can't tell that a 3 ton lifted red truck is backing up either. I always get people honking when I'm backing up and the occasional guy in a BMW yelling "hello!... backup lights!" Makes me want to floor it and really scare 'em... But that's just the road rage in me. I say run 'em. They look good, they are practical and I think I would enjoy talking to anyone who'd be sharp enough to even notice that they didn't come on the truck. Just my .02

thx for input...

Originally Posted by joedoh

I picked up a set last week and plan on using them in good health. My reasoning is that my truck is such a mutt anyway, 62 bed, 65 cab, 63 front clip a nd grille, 62 front framerails, 98 frame and drivetrain, that the "year correct guys" would fall over in histrionics looking at it anyway. Plus the 98 wiring harness already has the wire at the back, win win.

thx...