56 Apache turn signals

[RuckMe76]

Did the 56 come with turn indicators? My steering column has nothing on it.

[MJN]

My 56 has them factory, being in Canada it might be a different story for you. They are easily added.

[mikebte]

Think this was an optional item. If you opt to install them let me know, I have my old turn signal hardware sitting around waiting to be put to work.

[RuckMe76]

Any advice? I am very new to this game.

[RuckMe76]

Originally Posted by mikebte

Think this was an optional item. If you opt to install them let me know, I have my old turn signal hardware sitting around waiting to be put to work.

Thank you, as I said, I have no idea what I am doing so it is a learning process.

[_Ogre]

other than headlights and brake lights: everything was an option on trucks
they would work with your brake lights and front running/parking lights
you can buy a $45 signal stat 900 and wire it in a few hours

pretty basic wiring, but you need to understand the operation of the switch
front you just tie into the 2nd filament, rear it wires into the brake light switch circuit

[Foot Stomper]

Check with Bills Trucks Shop in Courtice Ontario because he has lots of new items and some used items also. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he had a used turn signal set up for you.

Word to the wise... Don't waste Bill's time because he can get grumpy so know why you are phoning but emails he will answer. He is a wealth of information and will treat you well, provided you don't waste his time.

I had a 55 Cameo last year and wired the park lights to act as turn signals by using 1157A bulbs.

By the way, a 1956 is not an Apache... technically speaking. The only years Apache were made are 58 thru 62. Your 56 is a Task Force truck all the same. 3100 series. Lots of folks call the Task Force trucks Apaches, so just sharing some information. The GMC's are Blue Chip.... and the Canadian built GMC trucks have Chevrolet drive trains... confused yet?

[Russell Ashley]

You can still buy the factory style turn signal setup new, which is what I would recommend.

[_Ogre]

signal stat was dealer option: probably $30 vs $40 for oem

ogre has bought and sold classics on ebay too
never a problem

[mikebte]

May be cheaper to go threw a dealer, while mine is free, the shipping to your location may be expensive.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by Foot Stomper

....By the way, a 1956 is not an Apache... technically speaking. The only years Apache were made are 58 thru 62. Your 56 is a Task Force truck all the same. 3100 series. Lots of folks call the Task Force trucks Apaches, so just sharing some information. The GMC's are Blue Chip.... and the Canadian built GMC trucks have Chevrolet drive trains... confused yet?

By the way, your truck has the wrong side badges on it. They’re ‘58-‘59 badges.

[bobinbc]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

By the way, your truck has the wrong side badges on it. They’re ‘58-‘59 badges.

Yes but he has a 58-59 bed on it so really...is it really so wrong? lol

[bobinbc]

By the way RuckMe76, Welcome to the club!


Tell us some more about your 56, don't be shy!

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by bobinbc

Yes but he has a 58-59 bed on it so really...is it really so wrong? lol

Outside of giving us a good laugh at the poor gent's expense because a previous owner decided he wanted to turn a 56 stepside into an "Apache" that didn't exist in 56 not a lot.

Can't say on the missing turn signals and the option/standard equipment pages are missing from the GM herritage center 56 Chevy truck page https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

Scrolling down the page to page 131 it shows that that truck should have an emblem with 3100 on it rather than the Apache emblem While you are scrolling down though the models of trucks you will take note that there were no fleetside boxes offered in 56 only the Cameo Carrier. with fiberglass fender/bedsides.

I'd hazard a guess that that particular truck was originally ordered into a dealership with few or no options as a base price truck for the dealer's lot. One they advertised in the paper with a bottom line price or one farmers and or local businesses bought as a work truck not wanting to pay for extra options. That was common practice up into the 70's

Up to you Ruckme76 but personally I'd swap the Apache emblems for correct for 56 3100 emblems and call it good. People will tell you that the fleetside box is wrong for a 56 but you just either say that is the way you got it and so be it or just say you like it better and leave it at that. 75 % will never notice anyhow. It looks like they should have done it in the first place.

[mikebte]

Originally Posted by RuckMe76

Any advice? I am very new to this game.

I think its a cool combo, unique. Never seen Apache badge on a 56. More photos if you get some time.

[Foot Stomper]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

By the way, your truck has the wrong side badges on it. They’re ‘58-‘59 badges.

With all due respect the OP, I didn't notice the 59 fender badges or the fact they're positioned where the 58 emblems belong. The 59 emblem belongs near front of fender.

All this is just factual historical stuff in an honest respectful information share and at the end of the day, it's your truck.

[dsraven]

if you want a stock looking signal switch that has a high low beam switch built in and possibly a flash to pass option, check these links out. page 15 on the first link and page 156 in the grote link. truklite also sells their version. available almost any auto supply place. these clamp to the column with a gear clamp. used in highway trucks in the 80's and 90's etc. since your truck isn't stock, but is assembled with era correct stuff and still looks stock to anybody who isn't up on the historical end of things, you maybe wanna keep the original style column? these would work and have the signal indicators built into the switch so if there is no indicators in the cluster you would be covered. there is also a 4 way flasher built in. some even have wiper controls (grote page 159)

http://www.vehiclesafetymfg.com/pdf/VSM_CATALOG.pdf

https://www.grote.com/wp-content/upl...l-Switches.pdf

[RuckMe76]

This is all great info, I don't mind it being a little bit of a frankenstein's monster. You are all very knowledgeable and helpful.

[joedoh]

a 56 big window shortbed with a fleetside bed, it could have a honda emblem on the side and I would still be extremely envious. great looking truck, I plan to build one of my own exactly like that, someday.

[57tailgater]

I am a little confused by what you mean by turn indicators. The stock turn signal switch which was optional only contained the switch but also incorporated the brake lights so you didn't need separate lights in the rear. You can find these switch assemblies on the auction site. There are "indicators" which are left and right arrows on the instrument cluster face. See picture and note arrows. They are hard to see when not lit up as they are dark green. There are also holes in the back of the housing for lamp sockets. It doesn't have to be frankensteined to function and look somewhat clean.

[dsraven]

yeah, I currently have a gmc so wasn't sure if the chevie's had the sig indicators or not. my dad had a 59 and I thought it had sig indicators but that was a long time ago riding in the truck as a kid. I was paying more attention to how the thing shifted and always sorta marvelled at how dad would flick his wrist just right to get the thing into the next part of the H on the column shifter. should be pretty easy to wire the sig indicators into the circuit from the column mounted unit though.

[bobinbc]

Originally Posted by 57tailgater

I am a little confused by what you mean by turn indicators. The stock turn signal switch which was optional only contained the switch but also incorporated the brake lights so you didn't need separate lights in the rear. You can find these switch assemblies on the auction site. There are "indicators" which are left and right arrows on the instrument cluster face. See picture and note arrows. They are hard to see when not lit up as they are dark green. There are also holes in the back of the housing for lamp sockets. It doesn't have to be frankensteined to function and look somewhat clean.

This is a revelation for me! I've always had an accessory signal switch on the column or a tilt column in my trucks and never knew those indicators were there! Cool! My signal stat-type switch had a indicator light on it, plastic red jewel. Have to run out and look at Rolene now!

To the original poster, I meant no disrespect to you or your truck. I think the fleetside bed looks great on any year of these trucks, very nice!

[57tailgater]

Here's what an OEM switch housing looks like. It slides down over the column underneath the steering wheel and has a wedge to keep it in place. The lever goes in where the arrow is pointing in the picture. Note the number of wires that allow the incorporation of the brake lights. I believe these switches were fairly uncommon but now there are even reproductions. The Signal Stat and other ones do the same thing if they are wired to do so. Just depends on the look you want. The indicators can be wired with the front turn signals.