Taillight lens trivia

[FORDification]

Since I started messing around with these truck several years ago, I've parted out quite a few, and have noticed a lot of little differences and similarities among various model years, and have documented things here. Well, there's one little thing that's been nagging at me for a long time now...and that concerns the rear taillight lenses. If you look down at the bottom of your taillight lens, right above the clear backup light, you'll see the lenses were numbered as follows:

- 'SAE-TSIBR-67TK' - '67-'68
- 'SAE-TSIR-70TK' - '70-'72

However, I could never figure out WTH the difference was! I compared them very closely several times, and they certainly appeared absolutely identical, aside from the different number. However, I was at the shop today getting things cleaned up and set up for my next major bodywork assault (hopefully next Sunday) and also taking some pictures. Well, I picked up one of each of those lenses again and was looking at them and saw a detail that had gone completely unnoticed the previous times! Check it out:



Do you see it? The '70-'72 lenses have a pair of built-in water drain holes along the very bottom edge! THAT'S what the difference is....and that's the only thing, too.

Funny how sometimes even answering a stupid little question like that can make your day. I'm happy....another puzzle solved.

[fordman]

i see it right below the bolt hole.

[HugYourPlumber]

your attention to detail is amazing.funny thing is i replaced my tail lens on my passenger side 2 weeks ago,on my 69. went back today to see if i had two different lenses and i do.i never noticed a difference.

[460 crew]

Nice that Mountain Dew must dew something for you in the obsevation dept.

[pat67shorty]

65/66 have the same lens but without the reverse light.

Early bronco also uses the same lense as ours, as do the 68-72ish econoline I believe.

[mk]

"and that's the only thing..." except for the Ford/FoMoCo script

mike

[FORDification]

"and that's the only thing..." except for the Ford/FoMoCo script

mike

Well, if you wanna get all technical and stuff... Yes, you're right.

[jor]

Well, thanks for clearing that up, Keith. I oredered new lenses awhile back and wasn't able to get the 67 so I ordered a later model. Of course, they fit fine and now I know, they will drain too!
jor