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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: 1983stepside on December 02, 2008, 05:18:27 pm
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hi im building a 1983 chevy c10 stepside and im not sure if i want to put a roll pan on or a chrome bumper for my truck either way i was thinking on changing the tail lights and im not sure what would look good or even a small idea of what id like to change them to if any one could show me a pic of something they've done or saw etc.... id be greatfull thanks again ;D
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i would stick with the chrome bumper
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thats kinda of the way i was leaning towards what about the tail lights should i leave them stock or change them?
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i would leave them stock but if you want to do a little custom work it is up to you man
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well that was my idea if i stayed with the chrome bumper was to stay with the stock lights and if i put in a roll pan change them to leds or something but i wanted to see if you or any one else had any cool ideas or pics of what i could do this is my first rebuild and i want it to be as nice as possible
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how about this
http://www.classictruckshop.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=185
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those look realy cool that truck looks awsome too hope my turns out as nice as that one and the lights look cool too
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Hey man I say use the crome bumper. Thats what I am doing for taillights I am going to use 10 inch LEDs in the stake pocket post beside the tailgate. I have also seen cadillac lights put in those post. I have to wait till christmas to get my LEDs when I get them in I will post pics
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ok thats sounds cool please post some pics when you get it done or even how you did it cuz i want my truck to look stock but throw in a custom touch here and there so i guess it would be a resto mod cuz i lowered it 3/5 and put fuel cell in and doing some differnt things in the interior but im leaving all the emblems and handles and locks and put 15 inch ralleys on it or babby moon hub caps put post pics when you get done thanks
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I think the 70s model round stepside taillights with a blue dot in them look good. Here are a few pics of of custom taillights.
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wow thanks for the pics those trucks are nice and i like the ideas keep em coming
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A few guys have installed Caddy tailights in their steppers- VileZambonie did a post on one of his truck builds. Check the topics for members projects, and see his lwb to swb project.
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I use small Billit lights in my Stepside roll pan, they were kinda small and hard tp see during the dautime sp I added a 3 foot LED brake light in the back window that is not really noticable untile I hit the brakes.
(http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2919599650102179305pKjzWk)
(http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2949648880102179305ymYvdm)
(http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2924119470102179305oVSNbh)
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Is this the picture of the caddy taillights? They do look great in this location.
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/0607cct_13_s1966_chevy_pickuptailli.jpg)
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they do look awsome what would you do for a back up light tho
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Most guys I know with custom taillights dont have back up lights but I am sure you could mount a light under the truck behind the bumper that would work. I had a custom truck years ago with back up lights and with the tinted windows and it being lowered the back up lights didnt help.
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I'm looking into the idea of caddy buckets into the stake pockets. Everything I'm seeing is showing that those caddy tail lights are about 4" deep. Any idea how deep our stake pockets are? I would measure but I don't have my truck with me today.
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You mean like this? http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7334.135
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I've seen yours and you did a killer job with that.
Unfortunately, I've got a different issue. Sorry, should have been clearer.....I've got a stepside.
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I'm looking into the idea of caddy buckets into the stake pockets. Everything I'm seeing is showing that those caddy tail lights are about 4" deep. Any idea how deep our stake pockets are? I would measure but I don't have my truck with me today.
They are 2 1/4 deep but I am sure you can still use them it will just take alot of custom work to make them look right.
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Silvrbreez I found this set up and I thought you might be interested. The caddy lights in the fender wouldn't be too hard and you would have plenty of room.
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/392004103519PM37591.jpg)
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/392004103350PM58801.jpg)
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before i ran out of money and decided ive gotta sell it, i had bought a set of round bullet style taillights out of a early 60's impala, and was going to cut them into the fenders. but never got around to it. mine is a 77 stepside
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69Byrd: Thanks for those pics. I wish I could see how he waterproofed the backside inside the fender. I would guess some sort of box or something?
I'm still leaning towards modifying the stock stake pockets to fit the caddy tails. I may even go all the way and buy a fresh set of stake pockets, cut them in 1/2, weld in some more sheet metal to deepen them, and then install the caddy buckets and tails. My new question I'm looking into with this idea is the two bolts at the base of the stake pocket. How can I get around those two? Probably just weld it all up?
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I am sure you can just weld them up. I was also thinking you could cut the stake pockets in half and add to them. But I wonder if you could use the caddy lens and fab some buckets that are not as deep. Just something to think about.
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Here are a few more pix I found, thought I would share. I think the set up on the yellow one is sweet.
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/3895_1.jpg)
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/1014200675318PM2621.jpg)
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/919200890809PM38951.jpg)
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Anybody know what kind of lights those are on the last pic (black truck)?
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I am not sure what they are from ??? I thought El Camino but thats not right either. In the 80s there were 2 guys around here that had the 80s El Camino bumpers with the taillights in them on their steppers. Thats something else to think about. Heres another pic of the lights you like.
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/e440_1.jpg)
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Yep, that's the other pic I remember seeing them in. I'm looking into the El Camino bumpers and checking to see if they would bolt right up using the bumper brackets for our trucks.
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I am not sure if they would bolt right up, you might have to customize the brackets. That way you could sit the bumper where ever you wanted. You could tuck it up close raise it closer to the tailgate put it where you want.
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Found out they are off of an International Harvester Scout 2
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As far as the el camino bumper, A buddy had one on his stepside years ago (Early 90's) that looked sweet, but he had to narrow it quite a few inches and modify brackets to make it fit, but the end result was awesome. He even sent it off to have it rechromed after it was done, and it looked factory. The one he used was 79-87, but I have seen the 74-78 ones used, but if it isnt narrowed a little, then it looks funny.
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Do you have a picture of his truck? I would love to see that bumper. I have been looking for a picture of one with the el camino bumper but cant find one. :(
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I'm restoring an El Camino right now and filled the tailgate and am welding a roll pan on. So anyone who wants the bumper is more than welcome to it.
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What year bumper Vile?
BTW, I am going to use a Elcamino bumper on mine also.
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Here's my 76 with Gremlin Taillights.
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haven't ever seen those lukbrw. Nice.
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Do you have a picture of his truck? I would love to see that bumper. I have been looking for a picture of one with the el camino bumper but cant find one. :(
Sorry, we didnt even have a camera back then. (Poor) The only pics I have from then of my 68 elky were taken by my mom. I will see him this weekend and see if he has any pictures of it.
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haven't ever seen those lukbrw. Nice.
Chris those Gremiln lights were a popular conversion in the 80's. Another one I remember from back then was the was the 68-69 Nova tail light. I have seen them in the fenders as well as in the roll pan.
(http://www.dakotadigital.com/cartimages/prd_zm_530.jpg)
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lukbrw that is a sweet truck. I haven't seen those taillights used either.
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Here is the taillights of my truck. Real easy to do, and LED lights are real bright. The reverse lights are super bright as well. I installed a switch for the reverse lights so I can keep them on when I get out to hook up a trailer or tow someone whos stuck.
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What year bumper Vile?
BTW, I am going to use a Elcamino bumper on mine also.
1982
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I have a ZR1 roll pan with reverse lights mounted in the stock taillight location.
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Anybody got good closeup pics of how the 60-76 stepside tail lamps and backup lamps bolt up the the rear stake pocket? I'm contemplating these for my '83, but I want to see how they connect before I just go at it hacking.
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I think the taillight brackets bolt to stake pocket so you shouldn't have to do any hacking.
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Yeah they bolt to the back. I figured that. I was hoping to see a picture of the back of the stake pocket showing the bolts. I don't think the bolts go all the way through.
I'm kinda second guessing these huge lights.
What looks better to you guys?
1. 60-76 Chevy Stepside Tail Lights
(http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w126/silvrbreez/83%20C10/1976C10SS454005.jpg)
2. 28-32 Ford Tail Lights
(http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w126/silvrbreez/83%20C10/p64389_large1974_Chevrolet_Stepside.jpg)
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I think the 28-32 lights are too low but either way you go put a blue dot in the lens. That would give it a nice old school look. The bolts for the brackets dont go all the way through the stake pockets. You can bolt them in the location where your stock lights came off.
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Never thought about the 60-76 tail lamps with a blue dot. Ever install those? I would imagine you just remove the lense, drill a hole, and insert the blue dot and bend the tabs. Sound right?
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When you install your blue dots make sure you have a sharp drill bit so you dont crack your lens. Are you still interested in the caddy lights? I was thinking you could use an LED bucket and the caddy lens. The LED buckets are only 5/8 inch deep. This way you probably would not have to cut your stake poket in half and widen it. I am useing 10 inch LEDs in the stake poket, hope to have them in by the weekend. Here are a few pics of them so you can see the buckets. The lens come off.
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/taillights001.jpg)
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/taillights002.jpg)
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Meh, the Caddy bucket conversion will probably be a part of my long term plans. I'm just going to pick a tail lamp I like for now and bolt it up. Good looking out though. Yours should turn out pretty trick.
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Finally got my taillights installed. I was gonna take lots of pictures but I forget my camera, but I did get a few pics. It is a pretty big job alot more involved than I expected but the pay off is awesome. Anyway here is what I did.
This is the taillight that I used a 10" LED
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/taillights001-1.jpg)
First I measured and found the center between the top of the bumper and the end of my bed rail. Then I marked the area where the lens goes and cut it out.
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/0025.jpg)
Here is a buddie of mine helping me, he wanted to do some cutting. He a Ford man, I am trying to convert him. I about have him talked into a blazer.
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/0013.jpg)
After cutting it out I removed my fenders so I could make an access panel on the back of the stake pocket in case I had a problem. I will try and get a better picture with the access panel installed.
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/HPIM2449.jpg)
As for the lens you just glue them into place from the inside then bolt your buckets in and wire them up. Then your done, it sounds simple but it is a pretty time consuming project.
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/HPIM2458.jpg)
(http://i493.photobucket.com/albums/rr299/69byrd/HPIM2454.jpg)
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wow those leds look awsome i wouldnt mind doing something like that< the only problem i have is i have to have backup lights here in PA any ideas on that with those leds? 8)
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You could mount lights up under the truck right behind the bumper shinning down on the ground at an angle. I am sure if you get the right lights you could light up everything behind you.
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I am too going to use the caddy taillights BUT not like 69 has them.I got my steel rollpan and gonna mount them horizontally and french them in on both sides of the license plate.I may start that project next week as its going to start getting a bit warmer.
thanks
pat
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Warmer!! I'd give anything right now to have your weather. :D (and your garage)
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It isnt much warmer here let me tell ya lol... I may not have the white stuff on the ground but at night it gets darn right cold out and as far as the shop goes it still gets cold in there as well, I personally cant wait for spring so i can get these projects moving alot faster and possibly have this truck knocked out.
thanks
pat
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Alot of great trucks and pics guys. Has anyone built or know someone who built their own stepside bedsides with sheet metal and rectangle tubing? I'm thinking of doing it. Just don't know where to start. I have the fenders, front panel, steps, and tailgate. I'm thinking this might open more possibilities for taillights in the posts.