Re: Dealer Installed (supplemental info)


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Posted by Clint Dixon on Saturday, August 23, 2003 at 10:50AM :

In Reply to: Dealer Installed ! posted by Alan Koester on Saturday, August 23, 2003 at 9:56AM :

The first mention of directional signals for a Power-Wagon is found in the 1953 parts manual D-14468. From there, they are also found in 1954 D-15078 and 1956 D-15788. All three of these parts manuals show them as being a MoPar accessory, which suggests, as Alan indicates, that they were dealer (or owner) installed through these years. Prior to 1953, there is no mention of directiional signals in any of the Power-Wagon specific parts manuals. Turn signal kits were available, of course, for installation by the owner from several companies. One of the most notable being Signal-Stat with their "arrow type" model 700 series lamps that are popular with collectors. Some of these signals, from outside vendors, may have also have found their way to the Dodge dealerships and some probably were installed by the Dodge mechanics.

The first photo I can find of a Power-Wagon appearing factory equipped with directional signals is of a W300 from 1957, as seen in the DMA 3335 sales brochure dated 9-56. These were installed on a factory L-shaped bracket that bolted to two holes drilled into each of the radiator "side shell and supports". This placement located the directional signals inboard of, and slightly above, the headlight buckets. I can find no part number for these special brackets, but they appear to have been used up untill Dodge redesigned the radiator cowl assembly for the longer 251ci engine in 1961. I had one of these radiator cowl assemblies from a 1957 W300, and the directional signal bracket mounting holes appeared to be factory punched.

The 1958 L-Series Dodge Truck Sales Manual (salesman's book) dated Sept. 1957, lists directional signals as "other extra equipment", but does not distinguish this equipment as being factory installed or dealer installed MoPar. The 1960 P-Series Dodge Truck Sales Manual dated Nov. 1959, lists directional signals as "factory installed extra equipment, as do following salesman's books and sales brochures.

Beginning in 1961, where directional signals are found shown in the sales brochures, they are shown bolted directly to existing holes found in the sides of extended grill.

Most of the older directional signals that I have seen on pre '57 Power-Wagons were mounted on the crown of the front fenders. Those shown on my '51 were installed behind the grill be the orginal owner. I bought the truck from his widow. She could not remember the exact dates, but she said that when the state of Wisconsin came out with the law mandating the use of turn signals (sometime in the late '50s or early '60s) she bought them for him as a Christmas present and he installed them behind the grill as shown on Phil's site.

Clint



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