Hi Group! I just picked up a really clean pair of 1940 Chevy front running lights that I am going to install on my 1939 1/2 ton Chevy pickup as front turn signals. In 1939, running lights were an extra option for the pickup so there are no existing holes in my front fenders where I can mount them.
Although the light housings have only one mounting bolt, it looks like the gasket has two openings. I'm assuming that the rear opening in the gasket would be for the wire to pass through the fender in a second and smaller hole drilled behind the mounting hole. I was also able to get a pair of the brackets that mount to the underside of the fender.
Can anyone out there confirm that two holes are needed to mount these running lights to the front fender? Below are links to pics of the mounting bolt and gasket. Thank you very much for your input!
Two holes. One for the mounting bolt and one for the wire (s). The factory '40 parking light installation had no gasket as the light was grounded to the fender. The gasket is aftermarket and if you use it you will need to run a ground wire into the engine compartment. I do not have gaskets on my '40 and after the last time I painted the car both sides of the fender were painted and the light mounting bolt did not provide a good ground so I ran a ground wire on each side.
Thanks for this great info, Mike. It is super helpful! If you or one of our other awesome members had a picture of the top of their 1940 fender showing the mounting holes, that would be outstanding!!! I want my project to be as correct as possible!
Hi R_Kaplan- I just saw your reply and, if it is still possible, I would love pictures! If it’s too late and you already reinstalled them, no worries!
Never got to mine yesterday and may not until tomorrow, but I found this (and a trove of other photos) from someone here (in Germany) who's doing/done a full frame off of a four-door. Here's the link to his work. https://vccachat.org/ubbthreads.php/topics/459330/1.html
Got some more for you. This time mine, with some measurements. The missing measurement in photo 20022 is 7.25" There is an error in one of the measurements. The one that's labeled 7-3/4" (next to the 8" line) is 6-3/4"
Wow!!! This is fantastic! Thank you so much, R_Kaplan, for not only the pictures but the measurements, too! I really appreciate all of the time and effort you put into providing me with this detailed information! Take care!
I am rewiring my 40 Master85. The wire from the parking lights seem like they need a grommet in the fender. The problem is a grommet adds interference and the housing doesn't sit well on the fender. I'm using a thick paper felt gasket like I found there originally. Was there a grommet? Thanks
