Adding Reflectors...

Not sure if this is the right place to put this...

1956 CJ5, F134, 6 volt: was driving last night and it really hit me how hard it is to see my CJ5 at night from the sides. Parked it on a side street for a function I was attending and it was relatively invisible compared to the other cars around it.

Anyway, the original red paint is weathered (or rather has a fine patina) that makes it harder to see so I'm thinking of adding some reflectors to the real quarter panels and the side of the hood, or elsewhere on the sides or the roll bar that might make sense, without overdoing it and looking tacky.

I'd rather not drill into the body if I can avoid it and have seen some self adhesive units as well as reflective tape, or strips that I could apply just about anywhere online.

I've done a search of this site and really cannot find examples of add-on reflectors that have been used by members and wanted to put it out there to see what others here may have done to get added night reflection on the sides while trying to maintain an original/stock look as possible.

 

I was thinking about cutting up some Harbor Freight tape into red strips and white strips and placing as inconspicuously as possible.

2 in. x 12 in. Red and White Reflective Strips, 10 Pk.

 

Ha! Try finding an OD-painted jeep at night. I have literally walked into it trying to find it.

If you think ahead a little, it may be possible to locate reflectors in places that are inconspicuous during daytime, but will reveal themselves to car headlights.

Maybe recessed in the ends of bumpers, under the fender lips, on the sides of the frame....

Antique auto guys are good at this. Some have "drop-down" lights and reflectors only used when needed.

 

You can use red round on the rear matching the look from a M170 or M38A1. The front reflector is from a Dispatcher 100 postal Jeep.



The reflectors have holes for mounting screws but you could use trim mounting tape.

 

You might try looking at Truck Stops alone the Freeway, The Detroiter, here in town has all kinds of lights and Reflectors for Big Rigs that come in for service, or to sleep for the night. Nice CJ 6, ojgrsoi.

 

thanks for the pics ojgrsoi - nice rig in deed. I thought it was odd that my M38 had more reflectors on it than my CJ5. After pondering the situation I think I'm going to get some adhesive reflector strips, cut them and affix them to quality magnetic tape strips so I can move them around easily for best placement and take them off completely if needed.

 

I worked with a multitude of reflective tape and can say to be really seen look at 3m diamond grade material.
Amazon has various packages of small quantities. I believe to be "legal" front of vehicle needs to be orange, rear red.

 

2" stick on reflectors.
Only a couple bucks each.
Should be available at most truck shops.

 

I added reflectors after paint on my jeep. Real easy. Tape it and mark your hole, start small then larger and go slow. Got mine from kaiser Willys. Otherwise a bud of mine in Toledo added reflector tape on his rims. Virtually unaware during day time but at night she light hits its glows like none other..

 

Make 'em magnetic for temporary use, like parking on the street or around other cars like you say.

I'd like some too, maybe the flexible type on magnet material you can trim with scissors...

 

Just as an FYI, these are stock reflectors on a 69 CJ5.