1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

'62 Cj5 Tail Lights - Not Original?

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by J.P. Thal-Larsen, Aug 7, 2019.

  1. Aug 7, 2019
    J.P. Thal-Larsen

    J.P. Thal-Larsen New Member

    Warrenton, Lake...
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2018
    Messages:
    45
    As I become more familiar with this CJ, I'm learning about all of the mods/updates that the PO had done during his ownership. I've only had it here at home for a year or so and I'm learning more and more about what's stock & what isn't.
    For starters, it has a Dauntless V6 with electronic ignition, neatly done headers/dual exhaust. Definitely not original for a '62 but it's very driveable.
    The seats are from an M38, which I really like.
    Today I noticed that the tail lights appear to be modified from original, and there are what appear to be reverse lights below (not hooked up).
    Did any '62-era CJ5's have flush tail lights, or white reverse lights?
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Aug 7, 2019
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    Flush lights definitely a mod. Pretty sure the reverse lights would be too.
     
    J.P. Thal-Larsen and ojgrsoi like this.
  3. Aug 7, 2019
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2012
    Messages:
    2,352
    J.P. Thal-Larsen likes this.
  4. Aug 8, 2019
    Greevesman

    Greevesman Member

    Napa, Ca
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2014
    Messages:
    417
    1964 with Hall taillights. IMG_20190716_100248782.jpg
     
    J.P. Thal-Larsen and Beach66Bum like this.
  5. Aug 8, 2019
    J.P. Thal-Larsen

    J.P. Thal-Larsen New Member

    Warrenton, Lake...
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2018
    Messages:
    45
    Thanks for the replies. After looking at several early 60's era CJ's I only saw those with Hall style lights - and no parking style lights in the back.
    Grant, thanks for the link to the '59. I wish mine looked similar to that one :bow: So long as that link remains, it will be a great reference for me as to original vs. modified.
    I've changed my sig slightly.
     
  6. Aug 8, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    J.P. Thal-Larsen likes this.
  7. Aug 8, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    There are some very close replica Hall 701 lights made overseas that are available on eBay. I think some of the USA suppliers (Walcks?) also carry them. I ordered the ones from the Philippines and received them in a couple weeks. They even include the standoff base for the license light.
    -Donny
     
    ojgrsoi likes this.
  8. Aug 8, 2019
    J.P. Thal-Larsen

    J.P. Thal-Larsen New Member

    Warrenton, Lake...
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2018
    Messages:
    45
    So from what I gather, the CJ5, regardless of year never had flush mount tail lights. Tim, that link pretty much tells you everything you wanted to know about Jeep taillights. Interesting that the Hall lights were vulnerable to wear and tear and originals are scarce & repros. are pricey. Although the PO of my Jeep did some nice fabricating, everything he did was beefy, substantial and made to endure. Probably why the Hall lights got replaced with cheap universal flush mounts at some point. Still scratching my head why reverse lights were added.....
     
    ojgrsoi likes this.
  9. Aug 8, 2019
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    To see while backing up? :) ;) :)
     
  10. Aug 9, 2019
    J.P. Thal-Larsen

    J.P. Thal-Larsen New Member

    Warrenton, Lake...
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2018
    Messages:
    45
    I understand that light equivalent to a pair of candles are better than nothing in pitch dark, but the effort to install something like that could have been spent on more usable mods like a tach or thermostat on the rad fan. In '62 was there even wiring for a 'reverse' circuit?
    ..just sayin'.
     
  11. Aug 9, 2019
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2015
    Messages:
    1,597
    Backup lights are more of a indicator to others that you are going in reverse. They should use headlights, but then people wouldn’t know if you were coming or going...lol!
     
    Hellion likes this.
  12. Aug 9, 2019
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    I don't think there was a transmission switch, no, but an auxiliary switch would be easy enough. Who knows...maybe he had a trailer he hitched up a night or something? Lots of reasons to have lighting on the rear.
     
  13. Aug 9, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    The backup lights might be there to fill the mounting holes from the original tail lights. The M38a-1 had recessed tail lights, and many folks copied that model. Recessed lights are much less likely to be damaged or broken, so they are practical.
    -Donny
     
    ojgrsoi and wheelie like this.
  14. Aug 10, 2019
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,491
    I've seen more tail lights get mashed on the trail than I can count. On anything but a restoration, I'd always opt for recessed lighting. The first thing I'd do a newer TJ, if I could have one, would be to yank the factory tail light boxes and recess some round ones into the tub. Hackery? Maybe. Yea. But functional and smart IMO.


     
    Last edited: Aug 10, 2019
  15. Aug 10, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754

    I've been in some pretty dark woods when backing out would have been a hell of lot easier with reverse lights. And lot more useful than a tach on an engine with a max rpm of 3000.
     
    bigbendhiker likes this.
New Posts