Proper bulbs for TYPE B tail light

[stakeside]

I have a type B tail light which is original equipment on my 29 DODGE Bros truck. I do not have the correct bulbs and seeking assistance to find correct bulbs. The bulb shown is not correct. It is two long. It does have two contacts. The vertical light missing is a single contact. So there are two  bulbs.

 

 

[vintage1]

Try the Dodge page on https://www.vintagepickuptruck.com , a lot of suppliers listed that handle parts for the early Dodge trucks that might be able to help you.

 

[DB26]

This info is for the 6 volt system. I assume the candle power rating for the the 12 volts systems might vary slightly. 
 

What you need (if memory serves) is a 6CP (candle power) bulb for the bottom section. It’s smaller than the 21CP bulb used for the top. Both bulbs are single contact. The bottom section fooled me too, but after some research I found out both bulbs are single contact. 
 

Here is what a 6CP bulb should look like:

 

[stakeside]

Lower bulb has two contacts on this tail light and two filaments . Upper has single contact.

Edited May 22, 2020 by stakeside
E (see edit history)

[Ron Lawson]

You will find that the "second" contact as you see it is the feed via a brass connection to the upper part where the brake light globe fits It is easy to work out The lower section is the tail light which is not as bright as the stop light so why would the tail light part have a duel filament globe  

[DB26]

Yeah it’s just single contact bulbs. It will work. 

Edited May 22, 2020 by DB26 (see edit history)

[stakeside]

Two contacts shown in pic. I am not sure how single contact would work.

note one lead goes to vertical lamb.

Edited May 22, 2020 by stakeside
E (see edit history)

[Ian_Greenlaw]

Not 100% sure but is this what your looking for ?

It's 2" long nd 1 1/4" at the widest part.

This is an original 6v 1934 globe

[DB26]

Here is a snippet from the 1926 (6 volt) book of information. Says both bulbs are single contact. 

 

I just went out and looked at my tail light. I believe only the bottom contact should touch the bulb. Mine was worn out and I had to modify my tail light with a spring, I believe. I would have to take it apart it be sure. 

Edited May 23, 2020 by DB26 (see edit history)

[gundog99]

The two connector, are live connections from the lighting circuit  and  brake light circuit.  There should be two wires going into the tail light.

[stakeside]

Thank to you all for input. 

l found another Tail light for an earlier truck and it had a two contact bulb # 1158. It is a two filament bulb with 21/3 candle power or cp.

The catalog page is from the Restoration Supply Company. They have 1110 for headlights and the 1158 and 63 for tail lights.

[DB26]

Very nice. I learned something new. 

[Ron Lawson]

DB26 You have learned nothing new at all All you have learned is that someone has put the wrong globes in the taillights on both occasions Stakeside has noted in his illustration for the main tail light a 6 volt 21/3 cp and a 3 cp for the vertical which would be the brake light Now in the Land Downunder the brake light is always brighter than the tail light If he fits these globes from Restoration Supplies the tail light will be the brightest  WRONG  However some folk just don't listen to the correct advice My old man used to call me a tail light Recons I was too dull to be a brake light 

[gundog99]

Stakeside, you might find  "Halogen side, tail, stop and turn light", partly shown on the right side of your photograph more useful. I have fitted  equivalent Quartz Halogen bulbs in my Senior ,they draw a lot less power than a conventional  bulb and more importantly can be seen by other drivers.

I am a little confused .  Fitting 21/3cp and 3cp bulbs need three lighting circuits but there are only two wires going into the tail light................................?

Listen to the wise words from uncle Ron.

[stakeside]

 

This diagram is from my original truck manual for the type B tail light.

Restoration Supply has a good list of bulbs. Which ones should be used for horizontal and vertical bulbs?

 

The 1158 bulb was in the older tail light from an earlier truck (smaller one). It is not a type B but has two wires going in. Guess someone put in the wrong bulb in is previous life.

Thanks for your assistance in this matter. Just want to figure this out.

 

 

Edited May 24, 2020 by stakeside
e (see edit history)

[gundog99]

In the uk  5 watts horizontal (7) and 21 watts vertical (4)

[stakeside]

Solved,

use 63 (3 cup) horizontal and 87 (15 cp) vertical.

[DB26]

That’s more like it! 

[Ron Lawson]

Hooray!!! you can go to the top of the class Stake side 

 

[stakeside]

On 5/22/2020 at 6:50 PM, DB26 said:

Here is a snippet from the 1926 (6 volt) book of information. Says both bulbs are single contact. 

 

I just went out and looked at my tail light. I believe only the bottom contact should touch the bulb. Mine was worn out and I had to modify my tail light with a spring, I believe. I would have to take it apart it be sure. 

 

On 5/22/2020 at 6:50 PM, DB26 said:

Here is a snippet from the 1926 (6 volt) book of information. Says both bulbs are single contact. 

 

I just went out and looked at my tail light. I believe only the bottom contact should touch the bulb. Mine was worn out and I had to modify my tail light with a spring, I believe. I would have to take it apart it be sure. 

My tail lite horizontal connection does not have a good contact and the bulb is too loose. The spring must be  broken. I would like to know how you repaired yours.  

I could replace with halogen lites but not sure amount of rework on my tail lite.

[DB26]

1 hour ago, stakeside said:

 

My tail lite horizontal connection does not have a good contact and the bulb is too loose. The spring must be  broken. I would like to know how you repaired yours.  

I could replace with halogen lites but not sure amount of rework on my tail lite.

I will get you a picture this afternoon. 

[stakeside]

I removed inners of tail lite assembly. This from the earlier tail lite 1158 bulb with two contact connections. I assume this type would be similar except that one connection is fixed with no spring. The other connection has two springs. This is the one That is broken. Looks hard to repair with much damage. I drilled out all the crimped points.

 

[DB26]

I couldn’t make it to the garage today, I will snap a picture tomorrow. 

[DB26]

Okay. Here is what I did.

 

I took a flat piece of metal (can’t remember what at this time, but some small, circular, solderable piece of metal) and I soldered on a small, cut to length, spring ( that fits the diameter of the broken contact) and heat shrinked the edges. I also added some paper at the bottom of the housing for extra isolation. It works. Here is what is looks like:

 

 

 

[stakeside]

Looks like the same problem. I will attempt to repair.

[stakeside]

On 5/25/2020 at 3:37 PM, stakeside said:

I removed inners of tail lite assembly. This from the earlier tail lite 1158 bulb with two contact connections. I assume this type would be similar except that one connection is fixed with no spring. The other connection has two springs. This is the one That is broken. Looks hard to repair with much damage. I drilled out all the crimped points.

 

 

 

 

 

I was successful rebuilding my tail light. I used the other tail assembly for parts (shown above).

With much care I was able to remove one of the spring/pin rods and place in my Type B tail light. It is good to have these old "bone piles"

Also I found the 1129 and 63 bulbs are available at Napa parts.

I found the springs fail from corrosion and will not provide a good conntact.

Thanks for help.

Edited May 28, 2020 by stakeside
e (see edit history)