Santa Brought a Convoy Warning Light Kit

[budman67]

Nice! A question though, how many vehicles are the minimum for a convoy?

 

[M35A2-AZ]

I checked this morning and my lights are 11' to the top of the lights. But I lowered the mounts 4".
See my pics of the mounts.
I just tied into the power that was already run for the wrecker warning lights.

 

[jonesal]

So those "nubs" I'm seeing on your pipe posts, did you weld those one? They look stock so well done. What are they? Were they a custom fab? I'll test fit mine tonight and see if I need to lower them. I'm thinking its a good idea - would be a shame to rake them off.

Thanks.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

So those "nubs" I'm seeing on your pipe posts, did you weld those one? They look stock so well done. What are they? Were they a custom fab? I'll test fit mine tonight and see if I need to lower them. I'm thinking its a good idea - would be a shame to rake them off.

Thanks.

Yes I made up the new "nubs" and welded them on.
The wrecker do not need the lights as high as or trucks.

Good luck with your install.

 

[DieselBob]

M35A2-AZ did you make the cover I see on the other beacon. I have often thought about a cover to help keep the light from getting weather worn as fast.

 

[gunboy1656]

Did you get a part list in the box? I want to make sure what all parts I get and what I need to pick up when mine comes in.

 

[emr]

Just an idea, but it is Military correct to run parts of the truck green if it is tan, And to me at least it looks cool, and more realistic, but to each his own, I left the Windshield frames and other replaced items on my tan deuse green like they would be in theater. Most in service trucks are not perfect matches on all parts... GREAT GIFT SANTA WAS AWESOME TO YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[M35A2-AZ]

M35A2-AZ did you make the cover I see on the other beacon. I have often thought about a cover to help keep the light from getting weather worn as fast.

Yes, I had them made by a friend of a friend.
If you want I can ask about making some?

 

[jonesal]

Yes, I had them made by a friend of a friend.
If you want I can ask about making some?

Yes, can you please ask? I think that's a great idea.

Did you get a part list in the box? I want to make sure what all parts I get and what I need to pick up when mine comes in.

Yes, there is a parts list, drawings, instructions, etc. I'm working on finding the right scanner as the page sizes are an odd size.

 

[jonesal]

Here is yesterday's progress. I decided to go "depot rebuild". Assembled and then painted. The rebuild on my M923 was too nice to let some green part slip in.



The silicone in the lights was pretty punky so I hogged it out and replaced it.



I was also disappointed with how the dome seal was made so I added a dollup of sillycone there too.



Al Jones

 

[jonesal]

Here is tonights progress.

Fishing the wires up through the tubes.



The kit came with cheese ball toggle bolts. I switched to full threaded bolts that I think works wayyy better. The kits supplies the strain relief.



Time for the dome lights. I added some of the washers and neoprene washers for weather-proof-ness.



Here are pictuers of one completed mast.



The next reply will present some problems I ran into.

Al Jones

 

[jonesal]

I really goofed and only test fitted one pair of inner and outter masts. And of course the pair I tested fit great. So I went to insert the "second" inner mast into the "second" outter mast and trouble. I missed that the outter mast was slightly bent and the inner mast would not fully insert for the lowered position. Trying to stuff the two together really messed up my new paint job but thats ok. I think when they inserted the mast into the jig to weld the "nubs" on, it bent.

What to do? I need an M38A1! (Please ignore the tires, this is a project in progress...)



This is how you straighten the mast.



And now we have two assembled masts ready for installation.



Al Jones
84' M923
'55 M38A1

 

[jonesal]

Here's an update of the convoy light project. It's been dang cold so the going has been slow.

This first one shows one of the lights mounted.


The next few pics show how I made custom mounts to get the mast away from the soft top. The top one does not fit perfect as I used the gun mount brace holes instead of rewelding the stops on the mast or drilling holes in the cab. It's very solid. The mast has about 1/2 to 3/4" clearance from the spare tire carrier vertically and 4 to 6 inches at the top. I set the mast as low as possible so it would clear my shop door. If I ever build another shop, I install higher doors and put the masts in the intended positions (higher).




Here is the data plate and switch. The data plate is supposed to be mounted to the chain at the top of the mast but I didn't want it beating around in the wind.


Shop dog.


Here's the passenger side. I will have to move the muffler heat shield back about 1/2 to 3/4" to have it clear the other convoy light. I could have pinched the soft top in the light mast, but the top looks too new to be macking it up.


I also added European lights in the front just for fun.


I may get the other light up this weekend and if I do, I take a video and post it. The one light by itself sure is bright in the shop.

Al Jones
'84 M923

 

[RAYZER]

Rotator beacons are cool and always a croud pleaser! Are you sure those turn signals aren't on backwards?

 

[jonesal]

Indeed! I figured I'd have a gazillion replies by now. I tried it both ways and settled on the reverse configuration. I like it better. At least I didn't point the red lens forward.

 

[M35A2-AZ]

Looks good!!!

 

[Cleveland Iron]

I cheated with my convoy lights. I took a couple of angle irons mounted them across the convoy lights and made a light bar. Might be useful on a wrecker.

 

[RAYZER]

Indeed! I figured I'd have a gazillion replies by now. I tried it both ways and settled on the reverse configuration. I like it better. At least I didn't point the red lens forward.

Ah! I couldn't tell that the other side was red, mine are one sided and face to the rear.
Carry on sir!

 

[RAYZER]

Heres a pic.

 

[juanprado]

The ones made by arrow for the military are double faced and cast metal. the military also uses plastic one way. The lens are real easy to find and switch out. They fit either style. I changed mine to amber both sides as I believe DOT regs do not allow red front turn signals. The lens are available also at your friendly tractor supply.

I have extras if interested and can easily pick them up if you don't have a close by tractor supply. Send me a Pm.