1953 Kaiser Front Turn Signal Light Sockets

[BigDave LM6174]

I am looking for a set of light sockets for the front marker and turn signal lights  for a 53 Kaiser.  I understand that these front sockets will also fit the 52-54 Henry J.  I want to add turn signals to my hJ And keep the marker lights as well.   Please message me if you are parting out a 53 that has the double wire light socket for double filament bulb. 

[Fid]

You probably heard about the sockets from me Dave - correct, '52-'53 Kaiser used the same sockets, you may need put new cables on them. That's what I did. I pulled a set from a '53 K parts car. That yard had two or three of them there yet when I was there in 2010. If I go there again this spring, and you still haven't found a set, I'll see if I can get you some.

[BigDave LM6174]

Appreciate it.  Figure at least post it and maybe someone will have them sitting around.

[Corsairdeluxe]

This old bulletin article is probably older than you B.D. I did this socket switch when I put turn signals on a 53 Henry J. I liked it so well I swaped out the rear ones as well. Easy Job
 I went one step further and soldered a third wire to the body of the socket and connected it to a very good ground. The difference in brightness ofer the stock internally grounded socket was dramatic.

[BigDave LM6174]

Thanks for posting Jim

[BigDave LM6174]

Does anyone know what size bulb will fit in the 52 HJ front Parking lens housing after I change the sockets to double filament. What size bulb is the 6 V double filament turn signal?  This should be the same bulb that a 52-53 kaiser would have.  I need bulb number.

[joefrazer]

If the socket is set up for even pins, 1158...if the socket has staggered pins, 1154.

[Fid]

Here's what the socket looks like. This is the one I pulled from a '53 Kaiser parts car. I had to attach new cables but that was not difficult.





and completed



These have staggered slots so they use 1154 bulbs. The larger filament is the signal light, the dimmer one the parking light. Of course, you can use the single sockets you have, just disconnect and forfeit your parking lights. Who uses them anyway? That's the way my car was for 30 years but when I came upon the sockets I just decided why not fix it up as it would've been originally?  And I did.

[BigDave LM6174]

I went to NAPA auto parts and I purchased two new light sockets for a double filament bulb. I returned back to my garage and I disassembled the two new light sockets. I was able to use the internal connectors to adapt them into the original single filament socket housings for the 52 Henry J parking lights. I am now able to use a double filament bulb in the Henry J.  It is a double filament Bulb 1154 that works with the original Henry J socket. My concern is that the 1154 bulb may be too bright for the lense or housing of the Henry J.  Testing it tonight the 1154 Bulb may actually be okay.  I just do not want the lense to overheat.
Fid,  I did exactly what you did and mine look just like yours. I am attaching a picture of both sockets that have been rewired.  Thank you for the excellent pictures that you provide in your feedbacks.
I am now no longer in need of 52 or 53 kaiser front turn signals because I have been able to wire up the sockets myself. Thank you

[Fid]

That's great Dave and an awesome display of the kind of innovation that makes a champion car restorer! We've seen several examples of that as you've  put your Henry J back on the road. I'll be sure to remember this and pass it on to anyone else attempting a similar upgrade. They're better because you have nice new wires whereas mine were 50+years old and spent most of it out in the extremes of the Midwest weather.  Repair was not simple.
Regarding the bulbs, as you probably saw,  the single filament bulb is 63.
And to address your other question, the factory issued "Service Standards" booklet for the Henry J lists those bulbs as 63 for parking and 1154 for signal/parking so it should be fine (see attachment). That's what I have and I haven't melted any lenses yet... but I do know people who have but that's after converting to 12volts and it was the brakes lights that were stuck on.