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1966 Cj5 Tux Taillight & Reverse Light Hole Size/locations

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by truckee4x4, Sep 11, 2020.

  1. Sep 11, 2020
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    Yet another mystery - my tail lights don't look to be in the location that they should be in. I have gone through two different "correct" panels from Classic Enterprises (with holes pre-cut) and had to send them back and get some without holes so I can CNC cut my own at the Roundhouse.

    The question is - where are the holes supposed to actually be? Here is what I have on my body, which to the best of my knowledge is OEM to the Jeep.

    RH side of my body:
    jXAcMqyJQIWWYRm3My9iOg_thumb_69cb.jpg
    LH Side:
    eyq0oUMbSjmZOzycq4z9Lw_thumb_69ca.jpg
    The second Classic replacement panel next to the Jeep, both holes are in the wrong place and too large: (Jeep is upside down on rotisserie): :
    jXfCmD+pTiKlLlGMNo7uCw_thumb_69c7.jpg
    Why does it look like there are smaller circles cutting out beyond the diameter of the 4.5" taillight circles on my original body? Also - on the OEM mounts, are the smaller 0.25" holes around the taillight and reverse light holes how the original lights mounted? I think Classic adds the mount panels on the back for added strength, right?

    Here's the two reference photos I have for 1966-ish Tuxedo Parks:
    1966-Willys-Kaiser-Jeep-CJ5-Praire-Gold-9.6.2013-035-700x450.jpg
    182890c6cb7c_low_res_1966-jeep-8322-cj-5a-tuxedo-park-mark-iv.jpg
    To my eye these two example above show the lights being closer to the bottom of the panel closer to bumper) than what I have on my original body. These two Jeeps also don't have reverse lights - why does mine?

    Would love to have some feedback on what is actually OEM.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2020
  2. Sep 11, 2020
    truckee4x4

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    The other follow-up question I have is about the KW replacements - they are exactly 4.5". On the two Tux pictures above, it looks like the lights protrude out a bit from the panel - they're not flush - and they have a nice looking chrome ring around them. Do I have the wrong replacement lights?
    UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_69ce.jpg UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_69c9.jpg UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_69cc.jpg UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_69cf.jpg
     
  3. Sep 12, 2020
    Keys5a

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    Your light shown is not correct for the Tux. You need the version of the (reproduction) 701 with no clear "window" and no base plate. The light you have is intended for regular CJ5's were the license plate is mounted in the slits in the rear crossmember, on the left side only. The base plate is there to space the light out far enough to illuminate the license plate. By the way, that snap-ring is not chrome, just plated. Did you get a second tail light without the window and base plate? That is what the Tux is supposed to have for both sides, except in chrome. The original Hall 701 lights still all had either clear plastic or glass bowls (the window), but the housings weren't open at the bottom. The bowl acts as a spacer to hold the lens at the proper distance, with a paper gasket, so the snap-ring holds the lens snug.
    The Tuxes never had backup lights, though later CJ5s did get them.
    As far as location for the lights, they surface mount about evenly spaced near the bottom of that narrow panel next to the tailgate edge. You can see the remnants of the three mounting holes in your last tail panel photo with the M38a-1 replacement panel your holding next to your right body corner.
    -Donny
     
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  4. Sep 12, 2020
    truckee4x4

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    Thanks so much for all of this info Donny.

    Wondering why there is a backup light hole in my RH tail panel? Are you 100% sure for my 1966 TuxIV it shouldn’t be there?

    Since I’m going to be getting blank tail panels from Classic I have to decide whether to cut the reverse light hole, and where to put the 4.5” taillight holes. And I guess I’ll be adding back mount supports inside since that’s how the repro lights work?
     
  5. Sep 12, 2020
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    This is what your tail light panel should look like. This is my '66 Tux. No reverse lights.


    This is what correct Tux tail lights look like. The mount directly to the the body with the 2 studs going through the the 2 holes on either side of the larger center hole where the wiring goes through. That big 4.5 inch hole you have is for recessed tail lights which are not what a Tux uses. You would not use those spacers you show either.


     
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  6. Sep 13, 2020
    truckee4x4

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    Fantastic thank you!

    That solves the mystery then of the "little" circle shown at lower left - it's actually what's left of the original light hole. Why in the world would someone have added these bigger holes, and then a reverse light? It's just amazing to me as I make my way through this project all the stuff someone did to this poor Jeep.
     
  7. Sep 13, 2020
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Some folks like recessed tail lights, especially on trail rigs. I do. I've seen plenty of tail lights get knocked off of JEEPs on the trail. I recessed mine on my '71 because of this. But a restoration is a different situation. Reverse lights........well, they are handy for letting others know what you're doing like in a parking lot and for night time maneuvering. But again, on a true resto, I wouldn't add them unless I did it in a way that would not require drilling the body. Maybe something mounted to the drawbar if I really wanted reverse lighting.
     
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  8. Nov 14, 2021
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I’ve got two sets of tailgate hinges - one that was body color that came off my Jeep and another I got in a tux parts pile that were chromed. Which are correct for 1966?

    I’m inclined to bolt mine back on and paint them but wanted to check.
    B8D53248-B344-4D4E-8EBE-307A45F86DCE.jpeg
     
  9. Nov 14, 2021
    Buildflycrash

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    Careful now. You might be holding a left panel on the right side. On the panel I recently installed the tab goes to the outside. To further confirm the body mount also goes to the outside.
     
  10. Nov 14, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    About 99% of Tuxes had body colored painted gate hinges. Out of probably 80 Tuxes I have personally seen, only one had chrome hinges for the gate. I assumed these were chromed by their owners over time. Since I've been on this forum, I've come across maybe 3 examples of chrome hinges from members here, so they may have been an option. My parts books still do not list any chrome gate hinges under the CJ5a column.
    Another anomaly is chromed windshield frames on Tuxes. I've come across 3 of them now, but not in the parts books.
    Maybe some company offered these aftermarket?
    -Donny
     
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  11. Nov 14, 2021
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    My '65 tux hinges are painted. I'm in the 99 percent.
     
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