Question about rear blackout light

53a1 · Post by **53a1** » Sun Jan 08, 2012 2:35 pm

Hello.

My M38A1 had two Auto Lite non-blackout type of lights (oval red lense type). I was able to build one good one from both and I'm now looking for a blackout light for the rear passager side.

Should I be looking for one that says Auto Lite or did another company make the blackout lights? I see one on Ebay that says ACCO.

I guess I could just go with the same style used on the drivers side but thought I would strive for correctness and if I fall short, so be it.

Thanks.

Post by **wesk** » Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:12 am

Auto-Lite's will keep you original.

If the jeep is to be driven a lot on public roads you will find folks walking right up on your back bumper pretty regular. Those tiny tail lights are not easy to see and when you only use the service drive red lens on the left side you increase your risk factor significantly. Many folks even go one step further and install the Gama Goat full round red lens/door on their original rear lamps.

The military actually modified many of these jeeps for two red tail/brake lamps and kept the BO stop lamp function on the right side by adding a special small bullet type BO stop lamp above the standard size right lamp assembly.

For shows you can just temporarily install a correct right side BO only lens/door on the right lamp for the show.

53a1 · Post by **53a1** » Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:41 am

Thanks Wes.

AeroE · Post by **AeroE** » Mon Jan 09, 2012 11:28 am

I installed plain red circular lenses on both sides along with a short wiring harness so I have normal lighting on the street. It all comes off easily when I want to look authentic. To do this I salvaged four lighting doors from an old M-truck in a junk yard and cut out the centers on a lathe. Standard Gothman (sp?) circular red lenses were from NAPA and I siliconed them in place; did the same for my M100 trailer. Works great (looks good also) and doesn’t permanently alter the Jeep.

BullRun · Post by **BullRun** » Mon Jan 09, 2012 10:03 pm

My '62 M38A1 was modified by the DEA with steps welded to the rear cross member and generic NAPA style lights installed on them. They used this jeep on raids I was told by the previous owner who knew the DEA field agent in his area.

The jeep was used for extensive highway use ie: 2 lane and dirt roads. Filled with agents going down the road the large stop lights got your attention back on the vehicle.

In my own use the jeep turns heads enough to be a distraction so those big lights really serve a valuable function in todays traffic although nowhere close to original.