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Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Sat May 13, 2023 8:52 pm
by Eugen
Let's hope it's just a hose.
:cheers:

Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Sun May 14, 2023 6:34 am
by 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 . :rofl:

Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Fri May 19, 2023 11:24 pm
by 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.
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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!
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They’re a little rough but I’m going to try and work them over and get them working again!
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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.

Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 6:38 am
by 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

Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 7:51 am
by 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.

Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Sat May 20, 2023 10:52 am
by Eugen
Like a trip back in time. :cheers:

Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 10:26 pm
by 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!
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Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Thu Jun 22, 2023 10:54 pm
by Spike188
Sweet!

Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Fri Jun 23, 2023 7:48 am
by Eugen
Lights look great @JSinMO . Little by little Herbie is getting back in good shape! :cheers:

Re: 1961 Ford F500 project.

Posted: Sun Jul 30, 2023 5:47 pm
by 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.
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I traced a few wires and replaced a blown fuse and just like that the hazards work!
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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!
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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! :69: