Technical Backup Light Suggestions?

Yeah, I know, my 1960 Falcon was made without them, and isn't required to have them....

That said, almost nobody where I live can mentally process a vehicle moving backwards, without some sort of bright white light beaming out of the back.

Every day I drive I hear someone shout "Fix your backup lights!", or "Your backup lights don't work!"

Pedestrians walk directly into the path of my moving vehicle, and cars drive right in there too.

When my wife is with me, I often have to have her get out and spot me. When she is not, I frequently avoid parking lots.

So, how about something that I can gently french into the filler panel between the trunk lid, and the bumper?

I know, not traditional, but neither is getting sued for everything I'm worth, nor receiving stratospheric insurance rates.

 

May be some small LED lights, they make some for licence plate lights that could probably be adapted. Try www.taillightking.com

 

How about a backup alarm.

 

WOULD SOMETHING LIKE THESE WORK 1966 C-10....

 

Not sure that folks respond to those properly. That makes them think truck, and when they see no truck, they think that it is from elsewhere.

Not too sure that would help with the windows-up, AC blasting, radio cranked, no situational awareness crowd. If they can't see it, it doesn't exist (and they are most often not looking).

 

I understand you just cant help some people.

 

That looks pretty good! Round like the stock tail lights, too. If I could match the sheen by lightly wet sanding the bezels, they might look OEM.

I don't need a stock look, but I am going for a "plausibly could have come that way" look, as opposed to the "one of these things is not like the other..." look.

 

Did I mention that I hate most people? How they manage to get out of the house in the morning, without poking out an eye with their toothbrush, or falling down the stairs, dead, let alone drive, is a mystery to me.

 

I reworked some motorcycle turn signals that had clear lenses to install in the round rolled top edge of a 48 chevy pick up bed. If you use something like that it would be round just a thought.

 

Lmao

 

I am sure they were offered as an option on your car. Those would be best if you can find some.

 

Yeah, I have seen those, at least on '63 and later, but even those look tacked on, and non-native.

 

I agree with saltflats, an alarm [like UPS and such] will be more effective than lights for your concerns.

 

I am convinced that someone has to help some of these folks get dressed.!!!!

 

The C10 lights are winning. Those and a backup alarm are likely in order. Multi-path defense.

 

Didn't Ford put those in the center of the tail light lens on the fancier models?

 

in my books if people can't watch for a moving car that's their problem lights will most likely not help as these people are candidates for Darwin awards they are most likely too glued to their cell phones

 

Sure, but if I am in reverse when contact occurs, I will automatically be considered at-fault.

 

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0QTR00Z6D71SQT6CM9TR

How about some really small ones?

 

Back end of a 60 Falcon that was said to be in the movie Taps showing backup lights.

Your regular Ford Falcon trinket suppliers have the proper lens and gasket but I didn't see the housings.
A stop at the semi truck trinket shop might produce a pair of lights that look proper and could be installed with without a lot of hassle.

Another option might be to swap to 62/63 tail lights that have the backup light built into the middle of the lens.

 

Those look too much like the local tuner kid accents, and will likely be ignored.

 

http://www.slclighting.com/CLEAR-BACK-UP-LIGHT-506-33-133.htm Can't get much cheaper than these.

 

Saw these on fleabay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/251607541717?lpid=82

 

Another idea would be to mount LED lights in the back window arranged to flash when backing up. Possibly flanking a high mounted brake light for added safety.

Or, Wanky the Safety Cat
http://jalopnik.com/238353/if-you-cant-buy-it-build-it-wanky-the-safety-cat

 

I have never bothered to put a tape measure across the numerous years of Falcon tail lights, but there are these:

 

Another small option;http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JPPYXOK?psc=1

If you really want them to be seen, add a strobe kit. http://www.awdirect.com/power-supply-aw-direct-40-watts-2-heads-epsx402/strobe-systems/

 

i was able to remove a reflector and install a light in it's place.

 

The ones for a 49 Buick would work well.

 

The Chevy pickup lights look more original than the optional Ford ones.

 

They do.