New Modification: Rear Work Lights

[52 M-42]

Last Fall Eastern Surplus and Equipment had some new, unissued reverse/back up light for sale that were/are for MRAPs and HMMWVs. I thought they were pretty inexpensive at $21 each. They looked like they might make a nice set of rear work lights for the M-37 / M-42, so I ordered a couple.

Since I am now an old man, I constantly "fiddle" with stuff; I am too old for real "projects". So, I started fitting and measuring things on the back of the truck and figured out a way to install a couple of work lights without any modifications to the truck; just make a couple of brackets and bolt them on using existing holes and fasteners.

Below are the pictures of the parts and the finished installation on the truck for anyone that is interested. I haven't wired it yet, I have to build the switch bracket for under the dashboard. I have the waterproof switch (Saturn Surplus has new, waterproof switches with Packard connectors) and I'll order the wiring from Vintage Wiring of Maine after I make the measurements for the wire lengths. I'll use Packard splitters to hook into the light circuit for power.

These may look like reverse lights / back up lights to some people, but in my state there is a very strict definition of back up or reverse lights. These do not meet that definition so they are "rear work lights". If I called these "back up or reverse lights" I would get a citation and have to remove them; if they are ALWAYS referred to as "rear work lights" there is no violation. Ah... the wonderful "Alice in Wonderland" world of legal semantics.

So, after that wall of words, here's the photos:

This is the original bracket I started with; it is 3/16th material.



Here it is after I corrected most of my initial design errors.





Here are a couple of photos of the light assemblies. They were not originally 24087 O.D.; I painted them to match the truck.





Here are some photos of the light assemblies attached to the bracket.









And finally, here are some photos of the "work lights" attached to the back of the truck. They are attached to the lower, inboard bumpette bolt hole using the existing fasteners. These lights are easily removed if a purist acquires the truck after I'm on the other side of the dirt. I think they they blend in well and look "period correct" even though they are not.

[Tuko]

Time for a nighttime shot!

[Jess]

Nice work. I think that there is always room for improvements to our 60+ year old trucks. Your latest addition fits in and will make it very nice when you have to back up or do something behind the truck at night. Where I live, there are no street lights and a useful backup light would be a welcome addition. On one of my runners, I added Gama Goat rear lights to improve the brake and tail light visibility. I have also considered the Marine rear brackets as a way to save my lights from unplanned incidents. Thanks for sharing your latest addition, as it can inspire the rest of us.

Jess

[Elwood]

Nicely done.

Looks like the lamp housings are two bulb, one with a single filament, and one with a dual filament? Are you going to wire them so that all the filaments are on at the same time, or have high and low brightness levels of the "rear work lights"?

Did the brackets come with the lights from Eastern Surplus?

That's some heavy looking rope.

[F18hornetm]

Very nice work. I really like the attention to detail on your projects including the whole truck


You sure you don't live in Maryland? I didn't think there was another state as stupid as this one. Anybody who taxs rain...I swear!

[PoW]

Nice job.

Prolly wouldn't work for me, as the first time I backed up for a trailer I'd punch one to pieces...

DDG

[52 M-42]

Thanks for all the comments and kind words! Stuff like these little projects keep me from being bored and getting into trouble (it also keeps me from having to do yard work).

Tuko - I'll try to get some night time shots when I wire it. I've got another little project to complete before I order the wiring. I want to order all my wiring in one order, because once I start wiring I want to get it all done without being distracted by other plans and projects.

Jess - Thanks for the kind words. I put the the Marine Corps Lifting Brackets on my truck specifically to protect my tail lights out in the woods (and now the State has gated off all the woods on the west side of the Cascades) .

BTW, I've got two extra sets of the Lifting Brackets - maybe we do a trade: I'm looking for a hardtop.

Elwood, the lights came from Eastern Surplus with only one wire, so all the bulbs come on at the same time. The brackets for mounting the lights did not come from Eastern. I made them, so they are my fault and all the flaws are my responsibility. I'm probably going to shorten the attaching slot to move them both outboard a little more. They sit back well behind the bumperettes and the trailer lunette does not come anywhere near them even when it is 90 degrees to the rear of the truck. So, other than carelessness and stupidity on my part, they should be pretty safe.

The rope is 1 1/4 inch 3 stand Manila with woven soft eyes in each end and whipping to cover the weaving. They 40 ft. long overall. One of the nice things about living in a port city (with a big Naval Shipyard) is having access to all the heavy cargo ship suppliers. They make nice tow ropes.

F18hornetm, thank you for the compliments on the truck! I've had it for about 35 years so I've had plenty of time to correct most of my mistakes, and learn things the hard way (but at least that way you tend to remember the lessons learned).

I think bureaucrats are the same everywhere. Money (taxes, fees) and Power (regulations, rules) are the most addicting drugs on the planet or in human society. BTW we have a "Rain Tax" here also; they call it a "run-off mitigation fee". You are also prohibited from having rain barrels or other "precipitation capture devices".

PoW, you would have to work pretty hard to break these as I've installed them. If it can be done, I'm sure I will manage this summer when I start using my trailer more. I'll let you know how long it takes and how I did it when it happens.

[DJ]

Where did you get the strap you have in the shackles? And nice lookin truck!

[52 M-42]

Hi DJ,

Thanks for the compliments on the truck.

The strap between the shackles is a 30K, six layer cargo lifting strap I got from G.L. Laub Military Surplus. It is about 36" long (+/-). They mainly sell on eBay and I think those straps were about $15 to $20. I have one both front and rear, and a couple of extra ones. They work great with the tow ropes (very quick to hook up); just pull the hair pin clip on the shackle pin, slide the eye of the tow rope onto the strap and re-install the shackle pin and hair pin clip and the tow rope self centers and you can start to tow (sorry for the run on sentence, but it is late for me).

If you need their web address or eBay store address, just PM me.

[Jess]

From what I see of your truck in the pics, you are doing it right. We all wish ours would look as good and be as near perfect as possible. Your efforts are obvious and the years of experience shine through in your workmanship. It should be very satisfying to have it to that stage. I am somewhat further back in the effort but do a bit as time allows. Todays project was to get a set of wheels from one of my trucks stored at the cabin, onto the boat, into my pickup at the marina and home to Black Creek. I will have them broken down, inspect and paint before mounting new tires. The 1964 Goodyears just don't have the traction needed at times....
I have a hardtop but its attached to a very complete M37cdn currently sleeping here beside the house. I gave one off another parts truck to a friend that has a restomod US truck with canvass top but wanted something better for our 'marine' winter climate. It needed some work and I didn't need another project. I'll keep my eye open and let you know if I run across one. We could always do a meet at Blaine or at RMS' place. He may even have a line on one for you. Thanks for sharing your work with us.

Jess

[Elwood]

The strap between the shackles is a 30K, six layer cargo lifting strap I got from G.L. Laub Military Surplus. It is about 36" long (+/-). They mainly sell on eBay and I think those straps were about $15 to $20. I have one both front and rear, and a couple of extra ones. They work great with the tow ropes (very quick to hook up); just pull the hair pin clip on the shackle pin, slide the eye of the tow rope onto the strap and re-install the shackle pin and hair pin clip and the tow rope self centers and you can start to tow (sorry for the run on sentence, but it is late for me).

Thanks for posting your source info for those straps. I've been wanting to get a couple since the first time you posted a photo of it. They'd work well as tree straps for hooking up snatch blocks.

Unfortunately, the price has gone up a bit. http://www.ebay.com/itm/off-roading-tow ... 60&vxp=mtr

[Elwood]

Elwood, the lights came from Eastern Surplus with only one wire, so all the bulbs come on at the same time. The brackets for mounting the lights did not come from Eastern. I made them, so they are my fault and all the flaws are my responsibility. I'm probably going to shorten the attaching slot to move them both outboard a little more. They sit back well behind the bumperettes and the trailer lunette does not come anywhere near them even when it is 90 degrees to the rear of the truck. So, other than carelessness and stupidity on my part, they should be pretty safe.

Thanks. I assumed from the first photo that the brackets were part of the kit, they looked professionally made.

The rope is 1 1/4 inch 3 stand Manila with woven soft eyes in each end and whipping to cover the weaving. They 40 ft. long overall. One of the nice things about living in a port city (with a big Naval Shipyard) is having access to all the heavy cargo ship suppliers. They make nice tow ropes.

Yes, they do.

In addition to the fixed "rear work lights", I was thinking about using one of those surplus light assemblies as a moveable work light, with a long harness to plug into the radio power receptacle on the front wall of the cargo box. I just have to figure out a good all-purpose type of clamp or mounting fixture to allow it to be used at any point around the truck.

[jim lee]

How did you cut out the bracket?

-jim lee

[52 M-42]

A little, tiny sheet metal shop run by two old guys near me, has a small plasma cutter and a press / break for bending. I took them a drawing for the 1st iteration and modified the resulting brackets 3 or 4 times before I got one that would work. The first picture is the original bracket; the painted brackets are where I ended up. The design could still be improved upon, and next winter, I may fiddle with it some more (the brackets & lights could move outboard another 1/2 to 1 inch or so).

These little jobs are not something a "serious business" sheet metal shop will even consider, let alone quote. You have to find little, tiny shops where not much is going on and you are not competing with big commercial orders.

[52 M-42]

Elwood, have you looked at the "trouble lights / map lights" that were part of the equipment on these trucks? The original ones plug into the receptacle on the lower right side of the dash. They work great and some even had a folding stand on the bottom and a hook for hanging them. The cords are long enough to go all around and under the truck.

The receptacle in the bed is a 3 prong (only 2 are used, A and B, I believe) and little overkill for a trouble light; but it would work.