my "new" t/c hauler project "Revisited"

well due to events in my life the f550 tc hauler project is being scrapped as is my dodge..the camper's fate is still up in the air it may get converted to flatbed style or a gooseneck flatbed toy hauler..most likely will be getting scrapped as well.. i have enjoyed my time on this forum... keep camping..

recycler

Stefonius wrote:
I've been looking unsuccessfully for taillights with amber lenses. I don't know why they're not mandatory in the USA.

I take it you have looked at the online ford catlog too..it is funny you can buy the mexican rear harness, but not the taillights..i will have to find that forum again and see if the pic with transfer over.. i wonder if our rv friends south of the border could help with the lights as far as part numbers...I have wondered that myself i figure is because most poeple don't see a need for them..some of the european importer sites i have looked at trying to find them myself convert the reverse lights to turns and add new reverse lights along with a red fog lamp..

Specularius wrote:
The easiest way to get amber turn signals on the back is to tie into the front turn signals and run the wire to the back of the truck. I did this to my dually to make the fender lights flash when turning.

on a f250/350 non chassis cab truck i would agree, but as you seem to work with some chassis cab {upfitter} trucks you probaly know this already but i will put it out anyways so everyone knows what i am working with for wiring.. the harness to the rear contains 11 wires two sets of regular s/t wires, running light wire, third brake light wire, trailer brake wire, common ground, fused and relayed trailer running lights wire, truck reverse wire, fused and relayed trailer reverse lights, fused and relayed trailer charge wire so the wires are already there to do it...i had thought of doing something similiar to your company trucks using three red lights and use the trailer running light circuit for the outside light and have the s/t/p in the middle and the third brake light circuit for the inside one..i like your idea of making the bed marker lights blink..due to the length of the truck i have i want to put turn signals on the sides near the middle for the safety of it..

oops forgot to count in the sending unit for tank and fuel pump wires

The easiest way to get amber turn signals on the back is to tie into the front turn signals and run the wire to the back of the truck. I did this to my dually to make the fender lights flash when turning.

What we do with the company trucks is put two sets of lights on each side. One set wired with the standard brake/turn wire and the other set wired with the high mount brake light to the brake/turn bulb. This flashes only one light for the turn signal and both lights for brake. We use the standard 4 inch round DOT lights with the rubber grommet.

Stefonius wrote:
I've been looking unsuccessfully for taillights with amber lenses. I don't know why they're not mandatory in the USA.

I am glad we don't have the amber/red combination. To this color-blind person, the amber lights look they are brake lights & ON all the time.

recycler wrote:

Stefonius wrote:

recycler wrote:
(snip) the truck is getting converted to have seperate brake/turn/running lights

I would really like to do that to Truckasaurus. I'm interested to see how you plan to run the wiring.

well my plan is to clip the wire for the brake signal to the multifuction switch and use the wire for the third brake that is in the rear harness..got to love cab chassis trucks..aparently ford offered the superduty trucks with amber turns signals in mexico..someone posted a pic on one of the forums i looked at of a set of the 250/350 lights with amber turns and ford lists different parts for the lighting on mexican trucks..when and if i get that far i will try to remember to post some pics..

I've been looking unsuccessfully for taillights with amber lenses. I don't know why they're not mandatory in the USA.

Stefonius wrote:

recycler wrote:
(snip) the truck is getting converted to have seperate brake/turn/running lights

I would really like to do that to Truckasaurus. I'm interested to see how you plan to run the wiring.

well my plan is to clip the wire for the brake signal to the multifuction switch and use the wire for the third brake that is in the rear harness..got to love cab chassis trucks..aparently ford offered the superduty trucks with amber turns signals in mexico..someone posted a pic on one of the forums i looked at of a set of the 250/350 lights with amber turns and ford lists different parts for the lighting on mexican trucks..when and if i get that far i will try to remember to post some pics..

bka0721 wrote:

recycler wrote:
did a rough sketch for a home built hauler body for the f550..

the body would be tapered in toward the front at the end of the opening for the forward doors..spare tire would go in the middle toward the front pass through behind it..the little rectangle under middle door is a turn signal as the truck is getting converted to have seperate brake/turn/running lights..would be built of steel tubing and sheet steel

Looking at you sketch and seeing you live in the Rust Belt, I just wonder if you can really build a Service Body cheaper than you can get one delivered from a catalog. With materials, hinges, seals, rust prevention cladding, powder coating, location to assemble and jigs all come with a price. I will look forward to watching your project move forward. I am also interested in how you work around the EPA regs in putting a non conforming engine into a Ford truck, living in a state with strict emissions. Personally it would be great to see a Cummins in your F550.

well if i build the hauler body it will be built with some reclaimed materials.. some of which would be from the last hauler body i started with that construction method for a d150 dually shortbed conversion i started..ended up being 4x4 mud truck instead..so hopefully cost would not be as high though things like handles and such will be big part of the cost..as for the engine swap my 550 is old enough it didn't really have any emission systems on it..no dpf or egr so far as i have been able to tell so i figure that should help that..best part is i will be using the dodge transmission which has a higher overdrive gear .69 instead of .71...

recycler wrote:
(snip) the truck is getting converted to have seperate brake/turn/running lights

I would really like to do that to Truckasaurus. I'm interested to see how you plan to run the wiring.