Wiring parking lights

[Mugwump]

Hey all - new here, nice site!

Just picked up a '66 Custom Cab longbed to feed my ford truck addiction. Been working on a '69 Ranger CS for a few years now, and it's almost done.

I have a couple questions about the Slick:

I was wondering if there's a quick/easy fix to keeping the front parking lights illuminated when the headlights are turned on. Right now they are only on in the middle switch position.

Is there a reverse light switch in here somewhere? It's a 352 4 speed truck. There's a big ol' reverse light currently mounted on the rear bumper, and it's wired to a switch on the dash Just wondering if that's a standard setup.

I'm sure there will be many more ?? to follow once I get more acquainted with 'Shep'.

Cheers!

[Gritsngumbo]

from Louisiana. Someone will be along shortly that can answer your 66 specific questions.
We have very few membership requirements, but we do like to see pictures of your trucks (completed, near complete or project).

[Mugwump]

We have very few membership requirements, but we do like to see pictures of your trucks (completed, near complete or project).

Thanks for the welcome!
Here's Shep as of today. [hopefully the image shows up]

[Uncle Skip]

Dennis
Welcome to our little family from sunny Southeast Texas (Houston).
The lights were originally wired to operate in the middle switch position only. If you'll check, the bulbs are dual element - park lights and turn signals. Supposedly they were made that way so the turn signals stood out more with the head lights on.
I'm thinking the backup light was an add on by a previous owner. That's the way I had to hook mine up.
Glad to have you.
Uncle Skip

[F7BIGJOB]

Not sure on the trucks, but the cars parking lights stayed on with the headlamps around 71/72, I think a later model switch for a pu could work, as I assume the plug is the same as the earlier ones ,or a new switch for an old Ford may be set up like that in the event, you have a headlight fail, you will still have a lamp for someone to see you.
Or you could tap your front parking light circuit to your taillamps.




from Ro Diland, too!

[Mugwump]

Thanks for the info guys.

Steve, I'm pondering that idea of tapping into the taillight circuit - that might just work - as long as i can keep the brake light circuit separate so that the fronts don't blaze every time I step on the brakes...

On another note, we got the steering column, 'armstrong' steering box, etc out this evening - got a saginaw PS gear and pump setup ready to go in. Weighing the risks/rewards of shortening my stock column vs just biting the bullet and adding an ididit tilt column. I do need to find an angled LH engine perch for clearing the Sag unit, if anyone knows of one available...

One more thing - any idea why my pic didn't show up in the above post? Can I not link to pics in the Slick60's albums?

[ezernut9mm]

welcome to the site dennis.

sometimes you just have to visit home for answers. lol

http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... ts#p359518

[Mugwump]

D'OH! I shoulda known. Thanks Ez

[FordChild]

Hello and welcome. Having no parking lights on at night is a little dangerous, if you blow a headlight, to on-coming traffic you look like a motorcycle, and if younger police see no marker lights, they assume something's wrong, and pull you over just to find out. At night with them on, it makes the 65-66's look like the 73-77's. I put chrome mylar decal material inside mine so they'd show up better.

[rbeck204]

As others have noted, you can tap the wires feeding the front lights into the tail light circuit and they will stay on when the light switch is pulled all the way out. I wired mine that way and used the stock type truck switch. The cleanest place to do the tap is at the light switch. Remove the dash and work on the wiring, the access is easier and you don't have to lay on your back to do the work. I live in Nor Cal and you can contact me if you need more info. Good luck.
PS: I liked the mylar behind the bulb idea and I am going to do that too. Thanks,
Rich