Side marker lights_67,68,69,70 differences?

[data89]

For a long while I've thought the un-adorned marker lights were an indication of the truck year, but, now I've seen them on 67 through 70. What gives? Are the fancier marker lights an option? I thought the fancier lights were only standard on the 70? I'm talking stepside here.

[terry b]

I think they go by trim level.

[sboris]

No markers on 67. My 68 has markers but no wiring to them. Depends on Trim level or NO trim level in my case.
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[data89]

Okay, I've looked over my pictures of my '70 stepside (frame up restoration sold 2 summers ago) and in comparing it with my '69 stepside (sitting in my shop) other than the '69 has the sidemount, I can see no discernible body or grill differences. The only original difference was the fancier side markers on the '70. So, without checking the VIN, what's the visual difference?

[too much stuff]

67 had no markers, 68-72 had either standard markers (with no trim) or the upgrade was with the 2 trim rings usually on the cst or cheyenne models.

[FirstOwner69]

My 69 CST/20 came new with non-lighted, plane Jane markers. I bought it late in the model year and noticed other 69 CSTs had the deluxe markers with the stainless trim. I complained to GM, and they looked up my VIN and stated my truck was made in early Dec., 1968, a few weeks before the markers were upgraded. Based on that, I believe all markers were non-lighted without trim until sometime during tthe 69 model year. After that, the deluxe trim levels had the deluxe lighted markers and the lower trim trim levels had lighted standard markers through 1972. I never saw an orginal 68 with deluxe markers. However, many owners preferred the deluxe markers and upgraded their's.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

My 69 CST/20 came new with non-lighted, plane Jane markers. I bought it late in the model year and noticed other 69 CSTs had the deluxe markers with the stainless trim. I complained to GM, and they looked up my VIN and stated my truck was made in early Dec., 1968, a few weeks before the markers were upgraded. Based on that, I believe all markers were non-lighted without trim until sometime during tthe 69 model year. After that, the deluxe trim levels had the deluxe lighted markers and the lower trim trim levels had lighted standard markers through 1972. I never saw an orginal 68 with deluxe markers. However, many owners preferred the deluxe markers and upgraded their's.

Wow, you've owned a 69 since it was new. Impressive.

I just bought a '69 Custom20, and was a bit disappointed when I turned on the lights, to find that the sidemarkers don't light up. So, are you saying they are just reflectors, and were designed to be that way?
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[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by Mister-B

Wow, you've owned a 69 since it was new. Impressive.

I just bought a '69 Custom20, and was a bit disappointed when I turned on the lights, to find that the sidemarkers don't light up. So, are you saying they are just reflectors, and were designed to be that way?
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Just reflectors. No light sockets. Here's a pic of the back.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by FirstOwner69

Just reflectors. No light sockets. Here's a pic of the back.

How strange. Thanks for the info
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[SS Tim]

The easiest thing to do is pull the markers and look. You might see the wiring or if the lens has the socket cutout. A bright flashlight shoud reveal the bulb if there is one. remember they can be added and probably should be.

[MacGyver72]

Somewhere in this forum is a detailed explanation of markers. I'll give it a shot to explain. When GM designed the new truck the feds had no side marker requirement. When they went into production in 1967, there were no markers but legislation had already been passed declaring that all vehicles manufactured for the 1968 model year had to have reflectors. The same legislation was upgraded to require lighted side markers for the 1969 model year. GM scrambled to meet the requirements but the '68 specs were already out with no place for a fender marker. They simply cut a hole and put the reflector in which is why there seems to be an interrupted flow in the look. The reflector had to be designed and since they knew eventually they had to have a light, they molded the plastic to be easily modified for a socket. That's why the 1968 reflector looks like someone forgot to cut the hole for the light. The harness had no accomodation for a light so the reflector was molded closed. They cut the hole the following model. Then since they had this flat piece on the side of an otherwise beautiful truck, they designed one with trim to enhance the look.

[data89]

Interesting. My '69 original it had the plain side markers with bulb sockets, pigtails attached, (no bulbs). So all I had to do was wire them in and put bulbs in.

But, the question remains, what are the body style differences between the '69 and the '70? I had both (verified by VIN and registration) and can see no difference.

[MacGyver72]

Since the bulb requirement didn't hit the law until the 69 model year, it may be that you either had an early construction (that is built in 68) that had the harness and the hardware but they were never connected. Just a guess on my part. It could also be that they simply forgot to assemble them. Again due to the early production. Line workers changing from one model to another often make little mistakes being used to the old model before they get used to a new routine.

[Mister-B]

Originally Posted by MacGyver72

Since the bulb requirement didn't hit the law until the 69 model year, it may be that you either had an early construction (that is built in 68) that had the harness and the hardware but they were never connected. Just a guess on my part. It could also be that they simply forgot to assemble them. Again due to the early production. Line workers changing from one model to another often make little mistakes being used to the old model before they get used to a new routine.

I removed one of the rear side markers on my '69 this week, and there's no bulb, no wiring, and no hint of anything besides this just being a reflector.
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[MacGyver72]

The law only referred to front marker requirements. GM put the rears on for continuity of design. I've never seen front lights without rear lights but unless your bed was swapped, they obviously exist. :-)

[SS Tim]

Originally Posted by MacGyver72

... Again due to the early production. Line workers changing from one model to another often make little mistakes being used to the old model before they get used to a new routine.

More likely was using up existing stock harnesses before they had to change over.

[MacGyver72]

Yep. You're probably right. When I read it I thought he said the harness had the right wires but they weren't connected to the pigtail. And they definitely use up all old parts. It's called a buildout and when you have too many dead parts for not properly calculating what is needed, the execs get mad.

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by MacGyver72

Since the bulb requirement didn't hit the law until the 69 model year, it may be that you either had an early construction (that is built in 68) that had the harness and the hardware but they were never connected. Just a guess on my part. It could also be that they simply forgot to assemble them. Again due to the early production. Line workers changing from one model to another often make little mistakes being used to the old model before they get used to a new routine.

According to Wikipedia, the requirement for reflectors AND lights went into effect Jan. 1, 1970. That would likely explain why some 69s such as mine had only reflectors, empty sockets and/or no wiring provisions. I know for a fact my 69 was made early Dec. 1968.

[MacGyver72]

Well there you have it. Mystery solved.

[SS Tim]

Found it. The marker lights were an option in '69. They may have been added to specific packages but they were an option, RPO UB3and marked as a change in the Data Book MY '69 update dated April 1, 1969. Somebody had a sense of humor there!