55.2-59 Headlight bezel - surround - 62 to 59

[dennislbrooks]

Does anyone know if a 62 headlight bezel (single) will closely fit in a 59 fender? Remember I have a 59 GMC Fleet that has only single headlights in the double fender.

Probably not but they cost too much to just try one.

[mr48chev]

Looking those up they don't match up at all. Look at these 49 passenger 41/46 pickup rings and compare them to the photos below https://store.fillingstation.com/det...T_RIMSCHR.html

They aren't too spendy either https://www.classicparts.com/1941-46...ctinfo/48-011/

[_Ogre]

old cars and trucks had 5.5" and 7" headlights
5.5" were typically used in double headlight applications like the 58-59 trucks
the fleet tuck used the 7" single light as you already know
old chevy cars and trucks used the same buckets and retainers for many years
i'd bet my eye teeth that items 7 thru 13 are the same for all single headlight trucks 55-66

[mr48chev]

None of that matches his fleet sales truck though. Outside of the actual plate that holds the headlight bucket in the fender I doubt that there is any part on that light that didn't come out of the Chevy parts bins of parts for older vehicles. Most were sold for fleet service for company work trucks. I don't remember seeing too many around here. The same outfit that sold GMC trucks in the 50's sold International Harvester farm equipment and trucks, Buicks and Pontiacs. They closed in the early 60's and the Chev garage took over the Buicks and Pontiacs and we didn't have an International or GMC dealer anymore.

It would be nice if you could find a 41/46 Bezel in any shape to do a trial fit with.

[dennislbrooks]

My 59 Fleet did come with the oem backing plate for the single bucket but I do not have the original buckets nor fenders that GMC would have put them in. I have 58-59 chevy fenders which they are now mounted in -- some trimming on the fenders had to be done and all emblem holes filled in.

The buckets I used are for 55-57 as are the rings. I have rings only -- no bezels. They are together but the fit of the rings are snug and it just does not have a finished look.

I am guessing maybe they used 47-55 buckets (I do not know how different they are if any) and rings but have not tried them. I can pull a ring off the 42 or 46 and try it on the 59. Someone with a Fleet that replaced one would know.

mr48chev - in the second truck pic, it has a passenger side mirror. I do not know if my Fleet had one or not as it only came to me the original left door. First truck pic looks like it has none.

Anyone have the build sheets for a Fleet. 8-)

[dsraven]

sounds like you should post some pics of what you have and arrow to what parts you are looking for. is it the bezel, sealed beam ring, bucket?

[dennislbrooks]

The 59 fleet did not have a bezel like a 62 --- only a ring. My original question was if a 62 bezel (had no ring)(wide cover w/single headlight) would fit in a 59 fender (Fleet or non Fleet)(double headlight) or near fit. -- if anyone had tried.

mr48chev shows a pic of all (62 is #1) from LMC except what was noted as known original to a 59 GMC Fleet. If I had one or knew what GM used I would post a pic or really would not have this thread. My apologies for poor wording of my question.

thanks guys and happy holidays

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by mr48chev

None of that matches his fleet sales truck though. Outside of the actual plate that holds the headlight bucket in the fender I doubt that there is any part on that light that didn't come out of the Chevy parts bins of parts for older vehicles.

why do you say that and then contradict yourself in the next sentence?
58-59 quad uses 5.5" headlight, 55-57 and 58-59 fleet uses the 7" headlight

[_Ogre]

dennislbrooks, not sure what your referring to as ring and bezel, pics would help

[58CameoAZ]

Cant help saying this But if i had a Fleet optioned truck when i parked the thing
i would always want to pull the Grill Off and BBQ me some Hamburgers!!! :/

Lol.....

[57tailgater]

Dennis, looking at it closer, they look like CJ headlight bezels. Maybe those would work. If they do, then you could get all the workings behind them pretty easy as well. You could also look at AD bezels and early 50's Chevy cars.

[dennislbrooks]

headlight bezel - no rings -- Ogre's yellow 58 and 62 C10


59 Fleet, CJ ---- rings - no bezel


I will look into the CJ rings and I can try a 42 ring.


Ogre, is that your gray Fleet?

[_Ogre]

nope, this ogre is a one hotrod man.
thou i'd seriously consider adding to the harem if i could find a 50s jeep

[dsraven]

ok, let me see if I got this.
the headlight ring is the "retainer ring". a circular shaped part that surrounds the headlight and holds the headlight into the bucket. it uses screws for this
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/o...SABEgK8s_D_BwE
the bucket part is the part that bolts or screws onto/into the hole in the fender where the headlight sits and it also contains the adjusting mechanism for the headlights. it is made up of more than a single part but is referred to as the bucket. it is screwed to the fender and there is a gasket between these parts.
https://www.cmwtrucks.com/product/55...cket-assembly/
the headlight bezel is the part that surrounds the headlight as trim once the bucket and headlight are a complete unit and screwed onto the fender hole.
the bezel in this case possibly has a raised section formed into it that can look like a separate part surrounding the headlight.
https://www.cmwtrucks.com/product/55...el-set-chrome/

it is this part that you are trying to duplicate without having to source a bezel for your possibly obsolete part. this way you can make the flat sheet portion and add the raised part. similar to a '63 chev single headlight which used a bucket, a headlight sealed beam, a retainer ring, a trim part around that ring which could have been round or square and also a bezel used to fill the whole area and cover up the workings behind the headlight.

https://www.lmctruck.com/1960-66-che...ngle-headlight

https://www.ebay.com/itm/123951085890

[dennislbrooks]

58CameoAZ, Sometimes a few words bring back a memory. I had a senior lineman re-heat his noon meal - soup beans usually - on the intake manifold of the digger truck - 69 C60.

dsraven, thanks for the info. I am not sure the parts are obsolete (I know you said possibly)-- at least aftermarket repros.
I do not imagine GM creating a new part for dollar saving truck in 59 and I do not think GM ever had a financial interest in Jeep -- maybe tho. So probably/maybe the correct parts may still be gotten if I knew what they were. Someone with a near complete original Fleet may have the best chance if the parts have some stamping on them to compare to standard GM vehicles. I have near everything apart now doing body work so if I make a change now is a good time to get a fit.

Or is anyone still alive that may have built these Fleet trucks. Person would be around 77+ to have built the truck I think.

Anyone out there from GMC archive parts/buiilds?

Just rambling now but I sand blasted that yellow/tan fender yesterday. It had just 2 coats of paint and one bottom red primer - both a yellow and top was actually a little chalky. Whatever -- that paint did not want to come off.

[dsraven]

Maybe you should post up some pics of your actual truck so we can see what you are missing. Are you doing a restoration back to stock or are you restoring with modifications?

[dennislbrooks]

My actual truck is 5 replies up with the yellow driver fender.

My restoration is stock looking. Now a 4wd. I have it apart now preparing for paint.