F-500 Instrument Panel Switch Question

[cghstrojan08]

I just bought a F-500 instrument panel for $10 at the local junkyard. It has two switches built into it that I have a question on what the do. The first one is easy, it says "Back-Up Lights." It is made just like the cargo light switch with that big red knob. Why would they have a switch for reverse lights? The other one I don't understand. It says "Blink Marker Lights." What lights are the exactly blinking? Is it talking about the cab lights? I threw a pair on my truck. Why would you blink your "marker" lights? Thanks

[cghstrojan08]

Also, I want to put a rpm guage on it. What is a good one that will fit and how do you put it in?

[kaptnkaos]

Hey Robert...

They have an independant switch for the back up lights on the larger trucks, because the chassis was used in so many applications.
My bus Olde Skool is F-500 chassis and running gear. But they were also used for flat beds, cargo carriers, dump trucks... etc It was much easier to have a switch than to change it over for each application.
The "Blink Marker" light switch did exactly that... it works like an emergency light flasher switch. On my bus, the e-flasher on the signal switch only flashes the four lower markers (the two lights mounted on top the front fenders and the two large lights in the rear).
The "Blink Marker" switch operates the upper marker or clearance lights.
My I ask what year F-500 did you got the panel out of?
I am looking for a radiator support for a '68 (it should be the same from 67-72).

take care...
KaptnKAOS

[72hiboy4x4]

most all Semi-trucks have a switch that will 'flash' the marker lights on and off.
Its used as a communication device between truckers, to say 'Hi', or 'Thanks' without using the CB.

[FORDification]

You'll also see truckers flash their clearance lights out on the highway at night when getting passed by a fellow trucker, to let them know that their trailer has cleared and it's safe to merge back to the right. Most times, the passing truck will also blink his lights back, to say 'thanks'.

[72hiboy4x4]

Until you get the 'hole that flashes his high beams, knowing that you are looking in the rearview mirror....

[cghstrojan08]

I have read before Kaptnkaos that you were looking for a new radiator support. I actually thought about it when I saw the truck but didn't pay attention to what year it was or what shape the support was in. I might go back this weekend and get a couple more goodies. Doesn't the 67-72 have the bump on the door like our trucks? If so, it was I think what you are looking for. I will go back and check.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey Robert...

Yeah, they have the same bely line bump as our trucks do...
I love it... I'm must be really "Special" I got my own bump short bus...

Hey if that support is any good could ya get a price on it and let me know.
They have the same problems with the radiator supports and inner fenders as we have with the pickups. Fortunately, the inner fender is good. I was gonna use a support from a '71 F-250 until I found out that it wouldn't fit...
I am almost thinking that the shipping would be more than the part.. that's kinda scary

Thanks,
KaptnKAOS

[cghstrojan08]

When I looked at the truck, it didn't look that bad. I will bring my camera with me and take pictures of the F-500 and all the other trucks. I will ask for ya on the price. Also, how should I hook up the marker light switch?

[Wes]

the wrecking yards out here won't let ya in w/ a camera, seems people taking pictures of wrecked cars in the yards and filing insurance claims against them. Dam thieves

[cghstrojan08]

Hey Kaptnkaos, I looked at the F-500 today and it is all rusted out. Sorry.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey Robert...

Thanks for checkin' it out for me.
As hard as it is to find a good clean one for a pickup it must be a 100 times harder to find one for a medium duty truck...
I'm sure that the right one will pop up at the right time... that's the way things seem to work out...

As far as the "Blink marker" switch is concerned, I honestly don't know how you would hook it up in a pickup.
My bus has a seperate panel that has a switch that feeds the clearance lights (that's the Bluebird bus part of the puzzle).
There's a feed wire that goes from that switch to the "Blink Marker" switch of the truck panel, and a wire that goes from it to the clearance lights.
I imagine that a guy could mount a emergency flasher light switch with benzel in the same hole.

Thanks again...
KaptnKAOS

[cghstrojan08]

I went ahead and hooked it up to the cab lights. It works good.

[kaptnkaos]

Hey Robert...

Right on...
If I ever get an f-600 dash panel. I'll remember that.
I am thinking that I would want one of the plain painted ones instead of a chrome one.
I saw a pic of one installed on a bump that was powder coated black with white face gauges with chrome rings. it really looked sharp.
The only thing I would do differant would be to do some silver leaf work around the outside edge...
I'm not sure what would be involved to install after market speedo and fuel gauge... the other gauges are pretty straight forward...
I guess I'll have to a little research on it, before investing in a new benzel...

Take care,
KaptnKAOS

[cghstrojan08]

The one I bought was originally white. I painted it a metallic blue like my truck. Looks really awesome. I will take a pic of it tomorrow and show ya.