1961 Ford F500 project.

[Eugen]

Let's hope it's just a hose.

[DavidBarkey]

Old hydralics are like old men . There going to leak a little at times and if you at some point someone is going to get hosed .

[JSinMO]

We had a rainy afternoon so I ended up in the shop tinkering around. I had a high beam burned out but I’ve got a couple extra headlights I took out of that old RV. That was an easy fix. I also have two marker lights not working on the bed. Thought Id take a look. It’s nothing too exciting, I just thought it was kinda neat to see the original cloth covered wiring still in place.

So this is an old style set up. Single power wire to the light and body ground to complete the circuit, just like an old tractor.
It’s a cool light, all metal and glass, not a single piece of plastic in sight!

They’re a little rough but I’m going to try and work them over and get them working again!

I will have to rewire the bed. The old cloth cover wire is falling apart in places.
I’ve got a roll of 14 gauge automotive wire that should work, and I think I might add a ground wire. Some new bulbs, a little sanding and soldering, and hopefully they’ll be working again.

[propane1]

Thats neat Jeff. When I fix up some thing like that, I spray the inside back reflector part with chrome paint. Makes the light brighter.

Noel

[Toolslinger]

I've got those glass marker lights all over the '48 Diamond T. They clean up reasonably well as long as the lamp socket is in good shape. I know my father did the King Bee marker lights up on the roof at one point, and they were a bit of a challenge, but they all work, don't leak, and look good. The T is still 6v, so any corrosion really can play havoc with lighting.

You'd think I would know what I've got on the F750... And yet, no, I can't recall what the lighting situation is on it other than non-functional... I do know I'm missing all the little maker lights that mount on the outriggers. They wouldn't matter most of the time, but it would be nice to have them for when I inevitably will be working near the road with them extended... Sadly, they're not the style you showed. I have a bunch of those, but they wouldn't fit the location.

[Eugen]

Like a trip back in time.

[JSinMO]

Just a quick update on my lights. I took them all apart and cleaned them up. Had to solder.the wire inside them. These bed markers just use a hot wire and body ground so I did a very simple rewire and I did add a ground wire to them. It was a fun little project!

[Spike188]

Sweet!

[Eugen]

Lights look great @JSinMO . Little by little Herbie is getting back in good shape!

[JSinMO]

Spent a little time today fixing a couple of small thing on Herbie. I’ve got all the lights working and including brakes, blinkers, headlights, and running lights but no hazards. I believe they were optional in 61 but this truck is equipped so I wanted to try and make them work.

I traced a few wires and replaced a blown fuse and just like that the hazards work!

With that done I went after the horn. It works but you have to really juggle the button.
I took the switch apart on the steering wheel and as I suspected it was just dirty contacts on the ring. Cleaned them up and put it back together and now it works great!

I’ve said it before but it’s worth repeating, it’s very nice to work on things you can repair instead of just replacing parts!
I took her for a spin and got up to 50MPH! I know that doesn’t sound like much but that’s around the upper end for this old truck. It would really benefit from one more gear or a 2 speed rear end but that’s not how it was made!
I think I’m ready to apply for license plates! I’ve started the paperwork and I’m hoping to send it off to the state soon!