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Flush Mount Tail Lights?

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Jw60, Feb 26, 2023.

  1. Feb 26, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    From what I can tell the Renegades came with round flush mount tail lights.
    I would like to use the same size and layout for mine and eventually use a similar tire carrier because it looks good and would be easily repeatable.

    So I need to know the size and location of the cutouts for the flush mount tail lights. Do they use a grommet or are they secured with three screws in the flange. If flange mount what is the overall diameter of the flange or if you have a modern replacement that used the same holes what did you use?
     
  2. Feb 26, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    You can probably scale it off this picture :D:
    [​IMG]
     
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  3. Feb 26, 2023
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    From being asked in the “restoration and research” section, I assume you are asking about original Renegade CJs? Those used surface-mounted Grote style round tail lights, mounted low, just above the rear crossmember/frame. They were not flush-mounted. Many CJs have been converted to Signal-Stat type flush tail lights by owners over the decades. These can be screwed in around the perimeter, or the gasketed version. Flush lights aren’t as likely to get smashed as a surface-mounted light.
    Only the military Jeeps (M38 and M38a1) came with flush mounted lights (actually recessed), to the best of my recollection.
    If you flush-mount your lights, be aware of the vertical body seam on the rear corners when laying out your holes.
    -Donny
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2023
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  4. Feb 26, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Here is what I'm looking at, yeah maybe not a Renegade but it's odd to have such a large notch in the tire carriers. So I guess the question is does the notch in the carrier match the typical lower tail light hole for center. That panel is all pulled apart at the seam on mine. This one is obviously a flange mount.

     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2023
  5. Feb 26, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    For reference, here's the dimensions for the original setup on flatfender M38. Not sure if the M38-a1 panel is the same.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And the mount for the light housing:
    [​IMG]
     
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  6. Feb 26, 2023
    danielbuck

    danielbuck Uncle Buck

    USA
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    I put 4" round flush lights on both of my CJs, I think it really looks good that way, as low down on the body as possible.
     
  7. Feb 27, 2023
    WYOMIKE

    WYOMIKE Oct 1971 pic

    Parkman, Wyoming
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    This is correct, they were not flush mounted at lest if your talking about R-II. From your picture I do not think you have a Renegade, at least not a 70 to 71 one. Here is the data on them:

    upload_2023-2-26_22-5-41.png


    And here is a picture of how they were mounted.

    Mike

    upload_2023-2-26_22-8-24.png

    upload_2023-2-26_22-9-32.png
     
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  8. Feb 27, 2023
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Mike, I think you missed on the top photo (upside down). Thats the hole for the backup light.
    -Donny
     
  9. Feb 27, 2023
    WYOMIKE

    WYOMIKE Oct 1971 pic

    Parkman, Wyoming
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    OPPS , Your correct, did not catch that the picture was upside down, should have caught that horz. brace that is on top :oops::oops::oops::oops:
    This better ;)

    upload_2023-2-27_21-56-25.png
     
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  10. Feb 28, 2023
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

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    I have owned several CJ2As which came to me with flush mounted tail lights. I think every Jeep I had anything to do with back in the 70s and 80s had those, and until the Internet came along I did not know these were not stock. Figure they must have been a popular "upgrade" back in the day, probably because folks wanted to add turn signals to their Jeep. Seen many with fender mounted turn signal lights on front.

    They were just like those which can be found at just about any truck and trailer supply store. Just have to cut a round hole to fit, and the lights have a flange with holes for screws. No need for the bracket shown above on a military Jeep.

    I just took a quick look at Etrailer.com and see several varieties which have LED lights. I bought some a couple years ago for a one of my trailers at a TLC which used regular tail light bulbs, but the LEDs are probably brighter.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2023
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  11. Feb 28, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I've been browsing www.superbrightled.com
    As the name implies, they have some bright stuff and they have retrofit bulbs.

    I'm looking for submersible and ideally a metal housing.
     
  12. Feb 28, 2023
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I think flush mounts were also popular because the protruding ones are just asking to be smashed, knocked off, and generally mangled on a trail rig.
     
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  13. Feb 28, 2023
    vtxtasy

    vtxtasy oldbee 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    Amazon has these...Grote 53302 SuperNova 4". Mine are similar but not led. I think a resistor needs to be used with LED lights for the flashers to work.
     
  14. Feb 28, 2023
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    Yes, this it the main reason so many old Jeeps have flush tail lights. I remember the first time I slowly backed into a pine tree and heard the crunch of the tail light smashing…. And that was a chrome Hall 701.
    -Donny
     
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  15. Feb 28, 2023
    Oldpappy

    Oldpappy A.C. Fults - Curmudgeon at large 2022 Sponsor

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    All you need is a hole saw and a half hour.
     
  16. Mar 3, 2023
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

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    Trying to figure out why this is in the restoration section? :shrug:
     
  17. Mar 3, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I honestly thought there were jeeps with flush taillights from the factory when I started the thread. It could go in the modifications if someone moves it.
     
  18. Jul 10, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I'm terrible about gathering up info then doing something and not following up.
    Anyway the tire carrier notch puts the edge of a 5.5" od tail light flange about 1" from the bottom of the body panel (3.688" center of hole to bottom of panel). Your tail light takes up all of the area between the tailgate frame and the vertical pinched seam. The original tail light centerline does not match vertically but is engulfed by the 4.375"-4.5" hole.

    That info should get a person close enough to later add the tire carriers mentioned above in the future.
    Easy peasy but that hole saw will rip your arm off. So you may want to centermark, scribe and use a jigsaw with a fine tooth blade to cut the 4.5" hole.
     
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  19. Jul 10, 2023
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    So with the dimensions above based on the tire carrier notch... the tire carrier notch basically matches the m38 cutout. +- 1/2" vertically which depends on how you mount the carrier. It looks like the m38 is a bit lower than mine turned out.
     
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  20. Jul 11, 2023
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Mine are not at all stock looking, but I’m very happy with the look. Clear when off, red when you step on brakes.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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