What is involved in adding factory back up lights to a 64/65 that has four red taillights.

Thanks

 

the main harness are different between cars with back up lights and not. so you would need to swap harnesses and rear body harness

 

There are a lot of variables depending on your current configuration. If you already have a 4 speed Muncie, it wouldn't be too bad. Let's assume for now that you do. You don't necessarily need a whole harness anywhere. Every 65 I have owned had the two wire connector (unused with no back up lights) with a light green wire and a pink wire beside the master cylinder on the firewall. If you have that, you only need the two wire connector and wires that run back to the reverse lever on the transmission, where the back up switch is mounted. If your car doesn't have that two wire connector by the master cylinder, you'll have to add wires to operate the lights. Either way it goes, you'll need to purchase a back up switch to mount on the transmission, either drill a hole or replace the reverse lever on the shifter to connect the short rod between the reverse lever and the back up switch arm. One way or the other you'll have to get wired from a switched source to the transmission and another wire that runs to the rear of the car to where your current tail lights are. You'll need either a new socket to replace the one you currently have, or you'll have to rewire the current socket by removing the connection from the tail light and connect the wire from the back up switch. You'll also need a clear lens for each side to replace the red ones you have now. (If your planning on adding a third socket in addition to the two on each side, you'll need to cut holes and add the sockets. Single contact sockets instead of dual like the tail/brake lights)
If you decide after reading this that you still want to do it, check to see if you have the connector I spoke of and if you do I can help you with the wiring. All this depends on whether you have the connector, have a stock Muncie, and are adding a backup or replacing two of the red tail lights with back up lights.
It can be done regardless, but think hard if it's what you want to do or not. The back up lights are all but useless for backing up and they remove tail and brake lights that help drivers behind you should you stop suddenly (four lamps instead of two). The ONLY advantage of backup light on these cars is alerting a car behind you if you are backing up, and that will hardly come into play. Given a choice, I'd take four red lights instead of two over two very seldom used clear lenses just sitting there.
Think it over and make sure what you want to do, you may have other reasons. If you want to continue, post back what your current set up is. An automatic car will add additional and expensive changes to these other changes.
What you have now will determine what you need to change to make it happen.

 

Thanks Jack for that detailed explanation. I am just considering this for a future project. I would not be adding a third light for backup's rather using the inside red one's. The car does have it's original 4 speed muncie transmission. Not sure about the connector wires at firewall. I will check. Thank you very much for your offer to help with wiring. I will have to really think through this as it is a very involved project. At this point I do not think that it is worth it.

Jay

 

If you switch to LEDs at the same time, the BU lights work better. My ‘64 came with BU lights and the LEDs make a huge difference.

 

Just for information. If you have a 'driver', you may want to think about the size of the brake lights and the drivers behind you.
R66 has factory backup lights leaving only the outer lights as brake lights. With the original incandescent bulbs, the brake lights are minimal at best. We were almost rear ended by a SUV on a bright sunny day. The 2" round single brake light on each side is extremely hard to see unless you focus your full attention on them which seems to be something even the old folks don't do anymore. I converted the original backup lights to brake lights using red LED bulbs with the white lenses. I also added a third brake light on the deck and LED bulbs in the original lights.
We cruise our C2 at least once a week, weather permitting, thus I want to bring it home in one piece. It seems drivers today have have unlimited distractions.
Thought about a horn from a locomotive to get their attention, but nothing will wake them from their cell phone dreams.
Not trying to discourage you, just a consideration.

 

Thanks very much guys for all of this very useful information. There is no real upside to doing this job except that I like the look of the factory back up lights. This future project is now scrubbed.

Jay

 

If the appearance is your primary objective, just put the clear lenses in and call it a day. Think of all the work you saved.

 

If you like the looks of the backup lights, put white lenses in as capvettes said and put red LED bulbs in all 4 lights. This will improve visibility and safety. However, the inner lights may appear a bit orange due to the white lenses. That is what I did in R66 and I think it looks fine.

 

I am just going to leave it as is. I want the lights to look the same.

Thanks