Old F Turn Signal Retrofit

[76124]

I am pulling all my info together to change out the cattle guards to the early style chrome bumpers and want to go with the OEM turn signals. I have not seen any other mods that look as good to my eye.

I have all the parts, but I need to know where to cut the wholes for the lights. Does anyone out there have an early model with the lights pulled out for some reason, who would be willing to make a template of the relationship between the light cutout, grille, and headlight bucket? I would think this edge on these is rolled, rather than a straight cut, but I can't remember from the older models I have owned. Anyone know for sure?


Thank you!

[Ken]

I put the early 74 parking lights on my car but droped them an inch from original

the original place was just above the blade bumper and just below the headlight.
Ken

[azruss]

expect to do some bodywork to make the turn signals fit. The newer cars have different curves than the early cars. retrofitting old bumpers require modifications in the bumper brackets and body ports as the double tube bumpers sit higher than the old school. If it were me, i would acquire a set of junk turn signal housings and cut the bulb recesses away so you can lay the frame flat on the bodywork. then you can slide them around to see if and where you get a good fit before you trash your fender with a sabre saw.

[RRoller123]

Is that a hood scoop I see in the pic?

[Ken]

the fender is forgiving enough to form to the housing, the light has a double clamp from the back and yes there is hood scoops in the hood.
Ken

[76124]

Yep, I am aware of the diff in the bumper mounts. That part doesn't worry me as much as the cutting for the lights. Planning on closing the round holes for the shocks in and then using a template to recut the slots for the bracks mounts.

I don't think the fender was that stiff to make it a problem conforming to the lights? Some massaging may be needed when they are mounted closer to the headlight bucket, but I don't think this is major. Hope I am not wrong..Russ certainly knows more than I do! I also didn't know they changed the body any on the 76 from the earlier cars, at least in this area. Don't think I'll be using a sabre saw either. Ouch! Small cutoff wheel I think will be a little more controllable.

Thanks for all the info.

[azruss]

The difference in the bodies are subtle but there none the less. I'm just saying i would make a 3d template (ie an old lamp housing). before i trashed my fenders. The issue is you have a variable radius curve in both directions. Even if the fender is unmodified, the placement is very critical. You could have a major fit issue and only be a 1/4" off. better safe than sorry. I noticed this when i fit my retro bumpers on the car. a 1/2" change in height really changed how the corners fit and looked.

[76124]

The difference in the bodies are subtle but there none the less. I'm just saying i would make a 3d template (ie an old lamp housing). before i trashed my fenders. The issue is you have a variable radius curve in both directions. Even if the fender is unmodified, the placement is very critical. You could have a major fit issue and only be a 1/4" off. better safe than sorry. I noticed this when i fit my retro bumpers on the car. a 1/2" change in height really changed how the corners fit and looked.

Thanks for the info Russ, These are the things you don't find out untill your knee deep into it. I have two sets of lights, but neither are candidates to cut up. Anyone have some ugly donors?

[baltobernie]

... a template of the relationship between the light cutout, grille, and headlight bucket?

I have one. Message me your mailing address.

[lvacordian]

How did this turn out? I’m doing the same blade bumper, and turn signal conversion on my 78 spider.