Technical 1951 Ford Custom - Adding Turn Signals

Hello!

Was wondering if someone could help with figuring out the best option to install turn signals on a 1951 Ford Custom.

My friend is considering a buying 1951 Ford Custom, which seems to have no parking lights whatsoever.

And he would like to install turn signals on it.

So far, i found that all kits/installs end up with switch being wired easily to tail lights as they are dual filament and front goes up to parking lights.
However, i was wondering what are the viable options to install them when there are no parking lights and the car initially came with just the Headlights?

Thinking something like:
1. Wire up just the rear to act as turn signals and ignore front completely
2. Find OEM parking light inserts and wire up parking lights ( A quick search and it seems like wiring diagrams and all exterior pieces might be troublesome to find )
3. Wire headlight to act as both headlight and turn signal ( is it even possible without buying a custom front headlight? )

 

You may have to do some paint work to the fender, but I think a slick fix would be to use '49 Ford turn signals.

 

The photo above is a 1949 Ford.
Here is a link showing and selling 1951 parking lights.
https://shoebox-central.com/1951-fo...g-housings-grill-grille-extension-wrap-around

 

Easy to put something in the grill. I'd look for OEM housings and lenses.

 

Yow!^^^ I can understand that $600, but would have a hard time clicking my mouse on those.

 

Apparently you haven’t looked at buying repo 50-56 Ford grilles and parts lately.

 

Well, I did say I understood!

 

That's what I said.

 

I'm sure you can find some small aftermarket amber light to mount in the grill area. Motorcycle lights are pretty small. My buddy used some amber fog lamps on his 34 for front turn signals, but they would be too large for a 51.

 

They have aftermarket headlights with the turn signal built inside the headlight itself. Some of the headlights the turn signal is more visible than others. It’s a cleaner look than a motorcycle or aftermarket light hung in the grill, mounted to the bumper, etc. There are also different styles of lens to pick from. Someone will surely say “it’s not traditional” but you asked for alternatives. Examples:

 

I would like to see a pictures of exactly what has been done to the cars causing the signal lights to disappear. I would also like to know how much of the original wiring is present and workable. The main harness goes to the front of the car and connects to the crossover harness that then connects to the headlights, parking lights and signals. Depending on how much is left and usable will determine a lot. From what I have heard so far and the experiences I have had with these cars mean that the solution may even require a complete rewire of the vehicle.

One odd side note. I have a very original '51 Custom club coupe. The turn signals are obviously factory installed, as the actuating lever is integral to the steering column and the indicator lights are inside the speedometer assembly. I also have the original invoice from the selling dealer for the car. It lists the turn signals as a $19.85 option. I have always been curious about this and look at every '51 I have ever seen. I have never seen one without turn signals. Maybe an el cheapo "DeLuxe" model, but not a top of the line "Custom".

 

Im in Canada if that matters, could be the case where turn signals were not a thing back here

 

On the 51 Ford the original park lights were small round lights in a panel below the grill bar.
But come on now, you call your self a car guy and you can't figure out how to put a couple of maybe Motorcycle turn signal lights in a discrete part of the corners of the Grill opening?

I don't like those ugly turn signal in the headlights thing and they aren't traditional for hot rods or customs. Even a pair of what look like fog lights mounted on the splash apron but work as turn signals would be better than that nonsense.

 

My '51 coupe has factory turn signals and switch but my '51 4dr did not come with a switch in the column from the factory although it does have the lights. It has an old aftermarket signal switch clamped to the column.

Dave

 

My '50 is the same, the wiring and lights in the dash but no switch on the column, has one of those cheapo aftermarket ones hoseclamped on (not my doing). They've used the yellow fog spots affixed to the splash as Mr48chev suggested

 

Something is odd about the grille parking/signal light housing namely the lack thereof.
I have never seen anything like that on a Shoebox Ford.
1950 and 1951s had park lights.
Something is odd about those grille pieces.

 

I am pretty sure the turn signals were an option on Canadian Fords. I have seen a few up here without the lights on the front. Does the car have a signal light switch on the column? The ones that didn't have turn signals didn't have the wiring or switch but usually still had the indicator lens on the speedo but no bulbs.

 

^^BIGGER Image^^^

 

If I get time tonight, I'll photoshop '49 turn signals on it. I think the crossbar leads your eyes horizontally across the front end and the small arrowhead shape would act as a lead in and lead out. The panel on the '50 and '51 are just to heavy looking with the rest of the trim.

 

Your headlight rims look to be 1950 as well. '51's are deeper.

Dave

 

I remember seeing an early '51 in Nampa Idaho 50 plus years ago. It had the serial number stamped on the upper firewall like '49-'50 and had original GLASS '51 tail light lenses! Running changes through the year?

Dave

 

Guys this is a Canadian car all sorts of things could be different compared to the US version.

 

Canada Eh? It gets cold up there.
The dang thing should have park lights.
Meteors had park lights.
All 49-51 Fords had park lights
I suspect that the grille pieces are from another make.
Look close, they really don’t fit.

I think we are talking among ourselves as the OP is MIA.

 

I have seen at least 2 others without them and I could probably count the total number of '51 Fords I have seen in person up here on one hand.. It must not have been super uncommon.

It hasn't even been one day since the OP posted. Not everyone check in here every 10 minutes.

 

Just chiming in like others, but my '51 Deluxe has factory turn signals. Don't know what was done up in Canada.

 

Me since I am cheap and lazy, I'd go with some amber accessory lights mounted to the splash pan, back far enough so they wouldn't be fighting with the grille.

 

Good lookin' car. Lemme raid my stash. I may have a pair of OE '51 park/turn signal lamps.

 

Bates Cycle lights on the gravel pan or bumper guards will look good be reasonable priced and easy to install. I'd do that, I use them on all my cars

 

Maybe small lights behind the bullets in the grill ?