My Willys 3A and 3B Community

TECH FAQ SECTIONS => Electrical Systems => Topic started by: Devin on April 27, 2016, 01:12:00 PM

Title: tail lights?
Post by: Devin on April 27, 2016, 01:12:00 PM: Looking for the proper location of the tail lights, I have a replitub and no reference to go off of.

Thank you gentlemen.
Title: Re: tail lights?
Post by: Devin on April 28, 2016, 08:01:12 PM: Really? No one? ::) are cj2a ones in the same spot?
Title: Re: tail lights?
Post by: Bob W on April 29, 2016, 06:38:49 AM: CJ-2A taillights are different because the mounting holes are vertical. CJ-3A taillight mounting holes are horizontal.

I'm not in the same state as my CJ-3A so I can't measure it right now.
Title: Re: tail lights?
Post by: JimVillers on April 29, 2016, 07:19:52 AM: Devin ..... Here is the picture that I used to position mine. In line with the tail gate hinge.
Title: Re: tail lights?
Post by: athawk11 on April 29, 2016, 08:38:47 AM: I didn't have a definitive answer so I waited for the team to respond.ï¿½ There is a drawing with dimensions on the web showing it at 14-1/8" from the top edge, but this didn't look right.ï¿½ I followed Jim's lead and scanned the WWW for photos.ï¿½ A couple prominent positions seemed to dominate.ï¿½ In line with the tailgate hinge pin, and slightly lower than the hinge pin.ï¿½ I chose "in line".ï¿½ I liked the way it looked.ï¿½ Once we get the official placement from Bob W, I'll bet it will be slightly lower, but it's too late for me. :-/

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/athawk11/athawk11%20Willys%20White/20160416_164429_zpsmnhnnlic.jpg)
Title: Re: tail lights?
Post by: Ryan_M on April 29, 2016, 09:02:37 AM: How about this one? Tough to tell for sure from the pic but the driver's side light looks to be mounted above the hinges on this '49. I'll try and get a better picture later.
Title: Re: tail lights?
Post by: Devin on April 29, 2016, 11:07:11 AM: I'm guessing willys didn't have an exact position. I found a thread on the cj2a forum and there was a guy who drew up a drawing, he had said he measured 2 tubs and there was a slight variation. A hand full of the pictures I've seen shows it just below the hinge as you have pointed out.
Title: Re: tail lights?
Post by: Bob W on May 02, 2016, 09:24:41 PM: I measured the drivers side tail light position on two tubs. Keep in mind that these Jeeps are over 64 years old. The center of the tail light was 3" up from the bottom edge of the tub and 3-1/4" inboard of the body seam between the tail light panel and the side panel. A larger sample would be better.

The drivers side holes would have been die stamped. There could be some slight variation from tub to tub depending on how the panel was held in position when it was stamped. Passenger side lights will be most likely drilled at a later time so there could be a lot of variation there. Since the CJ-3A tail light mounting studs are horizontal and CJ-2A tail light studs are vertical the lights are positioned differently between these two models.
Title: Re: tail lights?
Post by: JimVillers on May 03, 2016, 08:52:36 AM: Interesting; my new tub tailgate hinge is 3 inches from the bottom so that puts the tail light in line with the hinge. Ryan's pictures look like the lights are a little higher.