NOS Tail lights and other bizzare things

I have the ALA tail lights with the Stimsonite lenses. Both are a little beat up. After searching the web, I heard that they are probably the hardest part to find. Well . . . I found two right side NOS lights. Bought both. Problem is this: I need the left side as well. Also, noticing that I did not have the ring spacer on the right side light, I pulled them both off to inspect. Turns out that my tub was not originally cut for the right light and had been cut at some point to accomodate one. My CJ5 must have been a one-lighter like some of the earlier utility Jeeps. Any input on that? Should I keep the light and hole or put it to original with one light? Maybe the factory rough cut this hole in? I would be willing to trade around the NOS lights for a NOS or excellent used left light setup.

I also notice other srange things. Wanted to get input. under hood rods are military. Fat and green. No evidence of tinkering. Bracket under dash for left hood hinge in military green. Again, no evidence of tinkering. I have no grab bar on dash. Never was one. Just small center punch marks where the holes should be. Ever seen that? Glove box door is utility type, as in earlier wagons, etc. with the curved arm on right side and keyed lock. Original key fits both ignition switch and glove lock.

Have little black clips on side of body on the ridge side. Two on each side. Look like they would hold a 1/2 to 3/4 inch rod for top maybe? Also have plate welded to center top of windshield from. Looks factory and looks like for top mount of sorts?

Have frame bracket on right front frame for what would be the monster regulator on the M38A1. Anyone ever seen this?

Ther is more, but I will add later. Thanks for any input.

 

Here are the taillight openings. You can see that the right hole is rough and actually smaller than the left stamped hole. I think I am gonna fill in the right side and run one light, as original.

 

Cee Jay,

I have two license plate type ALA Lamps that are good used condition.

One has a little white paint on it (looks like it got a drip on it and then it ran). $55 ea plus shipping.

 

Unfortunately, a NACO light would not be right for my year. Wish it was that easy. I have the ALA lights that made an appearance for 6 or 7 years from the late '40s to '55. I have considered the safety issue. I probably wont be driving at night much, so I have factored that in. Still undecided whether to keep the right one. Thanks for input.

 

Cee Jay,

I would keep the right lamp on. Even though someone said that it was an option, I've never seen a single on anything newer than the CJ2As around 48.
Just my 2 cents.

I'm still in search of the correct NACO single for my 48CJ2A.


Here is a description of the NACO repros from the CJ2A site:

I got one of these "repros" and I'm a bit disappointed. But once installed, only the very observant Willys police would notice that they are not 100% correct repros. Aside from the obvious horizontal vs vertical stud orientation, there are other issues:

The "Stimpsonite" lens has the wrong orientation to the bullseye casting. The prism grate should be vertical, but the repro is horizontal. The triangular shaped prisms covering the rest of the lens have soft rounded edges, whereas an original lens are sharp, so the repro lens doesn't scatter light as well.

The bezel is thinner material and poorly chromed, and fits so tight that you need a screwdriver to pry it off, potentially chipping the housing.

The license lens cutout in the housing is rough and irregular, with raw steel edges, which will cut your finger easily, an rust in no time.

The license lens itself is close, but has the wrong prism grate count.

The fastener clips for the license lens are straignt pieces of sheet metal, not Z-shaped like the original, and can be overtightened, potentially breaking or chipping the license lens.

And finally, the light socket is a modern fixed wire system, not a removeable plug like the original. The socket does not protrude out the back like an original.

Screws are all philips metric too.

Will do if you're not too picky, but it cannot be considered an accurate repro.

 

Sorry about your NACO nightmare. I will keep my eyes open for those rust free Arizona parts for all of the EarlyCJ5 crew. Hope I don't become a warehouse of sorts! LOL. My CJ5 came from the military originally. Maybe that is why it had only one tail light. Maybe they ordered it that way for cost savings (that would be a first!) I am trying to search for the original contract to find out what the specs were. Any ideas on finding that tasty bit of supposedly publically available information?

 

I'm in the Military but don't have a clue who or where to look.

Tried to research a Govt owned Willys Wagon once but never could turn anything up.

Willys Overland in Toledo used to have a lot of files from the factory but don't know if they would be of any help. http://willysoverland.com/

 

Single tail light (left rear) only on my '53 CJ-3B. No turn signal controller (obviously) and the wiring harness goes only to the single light. It's been in the family since day one so I'm comfortable that it came this way. I was interested in this post since I'm looking to put on a pair of tail lights. Original light is pretty much toast - bent housing and no lens. Good luck.

 

I take it all back...

 

It's all good. There are stranger things, like my mil spec frame being original. Anyone elso out there with a mil spec frame as original? Another strange thing . . . . my Jeep never had the hood hold-up brackets(loop on hood and parrot beak latch on w/s frame) originally. Just had short bolts in w/s frame and screws w/ nuts in hood. Anyone else with this or had this?

 

Alright, quit teasing!!!

This thread is nothing without pictures!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Now you are being a bully! This is all I have left for now. Let me take more later.

 

Are those the supports for the military regulator with the plate removed?

I have a 53 M38A1 basket case myself.

 

Yes it is. Not a basket case though. Just an original CJ5 where the factory snuck in a mil spec frame.:driving:

 

Is it reverse front shackle? Meaning shackle at the rear for the front axle?

M38A1's have this feature.