American Autowire Rear Tail light Harness

[BC10]

I just received a rear tail light harness from American Autowire for my 68 Stepside, and had two questions.

1. I don't see a connection for the rear side lights that attach to the side of the rear fender. Did the stock 68 C10 have blinking tail lights when turning? Stayed lit all the time? Or were just reflectors?

2. Should I have ordered a 69-72 rear tail light harness instead? Do they include an extra wire for the rear fender side lights?

Thanks!

[ThreeQuarter]

I installed an AAW kit in my ‘68 fleetside and my rear side markers do not flash, they are only switched with the parking lights. They weren’t wired to flash and that didn’t register with me until I put the battery in and started flipping switches. Of course mine isn’t a step side and I didn’t read about whether stepsides are different than fleetsides, electrically.

[gmc684x4]

Yes 68 marker lights do not light up they are refectors only in 68

[ThreeQuarter]

Originally Posted by gmc684x4

Yes 68 marker lights do not light up they are refectors only in 68

Mine was wired from the factory to light up all four side markers, can’t vouch for whether the rears flashed with the original harness, tho.

[un4gvn!]

My 68 has the side markers and there isn't a hole to put a bulb in. The back side of my markers are solid.

[ThreeQuarter]

Originally Posted by un4gvn!

My 68 has the side markers and there isn't a hole to put a bulb in. The back side of my markers are solid.

Yeah, I’ve read some threads here that discussed this about ‘68s and it seems some did and some didn’t light up. But to the original question about AAW kits, they do provide a solution to light the rear side markers, just not flash them. I guess there’s a chance I did it wrong, but that’s how mine turned out.

[mr48chev]

I didn't find the Chevy diagram but the 68 GMC diagram doesn't show side marker light wiring.

As much as things get swapped around with these trucks it is entirely possible that the truck has a 69 or later box on it if it does have functional side markers.

If it is still running around the 67 long bed that I stuck the Engine, wheels and bed on after I totaled my 70 in 1979 has the 70 bed on it with side markers. I think I unplugged the harness at the crossmember and plugged the 70 Harness in. The 67 box is still on the back end of the 70 frame out in my yard after I made it into a trailer.

[BC10]

Thanks a lot for all the replies thus far.

Funny thing is that one of my rear fenders has a hole for a light to be directed in, and the other one does not.

Since I am not going to use backup lamps for my truck, I might just redirect the wires for them to the rear side fender lights instead. I'm going to give American Autowire a call tomorrow as well, and give an update.

I wonder what year the rear side markers lights would actually flash?

[mr48chev]

Rear side marker lights would just run off the tail light circuit.

To my knowledge the side marker lights never flashed on any pre 1988 GM truck and I don't know if they ever did on later models.

If you want them to flash rather than be on with the park/tail lights you will have to wire each into the turn signal wire for that side of the truck. Then swap to a brighter bulb with the same base on it.

You would have to figure out how to swap out the sockets and bulbs to have both side marker lights and ones that flash.

Standard bulb for the side marker lights ia 194 that uses this socket.

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by BC10

Thanks a lot for all the replies thus far.

Funny thing is that one of my rear fenders has a hole for a light to be directed in, and the other one does not.

Since I am not going to use backup lamps for my truck, I might just redirect the wires for them to the rear side fender lights instead. I'm going to give American Autowire a call tomorrow as well, and give an update.

I wonder what year the rear side markers lights would actually flash?

Meaning that one fender/bed side has been swapped out at some time.

you can't use the backup light wiring because that will only work when the truck is in reverse and you can't tie it into the rear stop/turn lights up front as it will only work off one side and not the other. Either way you have to tie into either the stop/turn wiring on each side or you have to tie into the tail/license light wiring to have those lights work.

[Richard]

As stated 68's were just reflectors. Also none of the trucks had flashing rear markers. Front side markers did not flash until 71. Side markers will tie into the running light circuit. An easy way to make the markers flash is to ground them on the turn bulb circuit. When turn signals light the markers will loose ground and go out. They will alternate with the front or rear bulbs.

[BC10]

Got it.
Yes, one of my rear fenders was replaced.
I am leaning towards:

1. wiring it to where the side rear fender lights will light up when I turn my headlights on, but not flash when I turn.

2. Or I might just leave them as reflectors with no lights. Keep it simple, less issues.

Are there any pros or cons safety wise, rather than just personal preference and aesthetics?

Thanks!!!

[Richard]

Wiring side markers to running light circuit is not a safety issue. That is the circuit they are tied into. Running ground from markers to turn signal circuit is not an issue as well. When turn signal is lighted it is +12v. +12 to +12v is not a short.