1970 Dodge Dude camper special

[soopernaut]

Why does it have an amber lens on the side of the bed? It should be red.

[crank1]

Good eye! I never noticed that but the other side is Amber also thanks. And thanks again for all the help from all of you. I have been driving it around a little and brakes seem ok and it runs and drives great!

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Why does it have an amber lens on the side of the bed? It should be red.

Yes, that is odd. But an absolute technical reading of the VC could be interpreted to be that amber is required, since it is not at the "rear" of the truck, albeit only by half a foot or so. You will note that trucks on the highway are all amber lights along the side in front of the rear (known as clearance lights). When I have built equipment and had it inspected for registration it has always been required that red clearance lights and reflectors are to be placed right at the end of the vehicle and amber everywhere forward of that.

[712edf]

Here in Texas anything BEHIND the rear axle is red, except for certain vehicles that have amber turn signals.

Bucky

[crank1]

There was a big camper on it with lights on the side I wonder if the guy changed them

[crank1]

I went and checked the parking lights and it looks like they were red at one time but it looks like they are faded from sitting in the sun for so many years

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Yes, they fade and red is what they all came from the factory with.

Bucky, red behind the rear axle but not at the end of the vehicle could cause major accidents when other drivers cannot determine exactly where the end is in the dark. That's just stupid - which is unusual for TX

[712edf]

Yes, they fade and red is what they all came from the factory with.

Bucky, red behind the rear axle but not at the end of the vehicle could cause major accidents when other drivers cannot determine exactly where the end is in the dark. That's just stupid - which is unusual for TX

No Amber behind the rear axle. Period

Besides a Amber wouldn't show you the end of the vehicle either if it was located in the same spot.

I'm not sure how close to the rear of the vehicle the side reflector/lamp has to be. Look at a 69 Road Runner, that RED side reflector/lamp is NOT on the corner of the rear quarter panel is it? More like 6-8" away.

Show me a vehicle that comes with an Amber lamp/lens behind the rear axle, other than those that had rear amber turn signals.

Bucky

[PwrWgnDrvr]

I'm looking at a picture of a flatbed truck that hangs 128" behind the center of the rear axle. If there are only red side marker lights in that 10+ foot distance it will create serious problems. For example, when passing someone on a multi lane highway, the passed driver could easily merge over and crash into the truck believing the red light indicated the back end. The axle location is totally irrelevant and placing lights based on that is STUPID!
Pics of trucks with amber everywhere except the very end which is red, here:
https://store.ijdmtoy.com/10-Pieces-LED ... 35-015.htm

and here:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DDf4y83W0AAcGfH.jpg

video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODgQDgYNYjg

and here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evwHQpSfJSc

[Wildergarten]

You will find the Code of Federal Regulations on the topic here:
Title 49 - Transportation
Volume: 5
Date: 2004-10-01Original Date: 2004-10-01
Section 571.108 - Standard No. 108; Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2004- ... 71-108.xml

[DocsTruck]

Glad that you were able to get the pics uploaded, that's a very nice looking truck and you should keep it and drive it for sure.
For what it's worth in regards to the red or amber lights aft of the rear axle, my 68 has amber reflectors on the front fenders in front of the axle, and red reflectors way behind the rear axle on the side of the bed and it is completely original.

[soopernaut]

If you crash into the rear side of a pickup truck when trying to merge/switch lanes due to the color of the side marker lights, you should not be driving period. The only requirement in Wildergarden's link is: "On each side—1 red as far to the rear as practicable, and 1 amber as far to the front as practicable". Newer vehicles don't even require them since the headlights/taillights wrap around to the side.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

It also specifies intermediate sidemarker lamps as amber and 1 required midpoint on vehicles 30' or longer. There is no mention of intermediate sidemarker lights that are red. In the section where red is specified, it only mentions 1 and states as far to the rear as practical.

Bill, I never stated that the issue was with pickups. This discussion is about long trucks and trailers. U must not have ever driven long rigs, in *#%^@ weather and massive traffic where looking in your mirrors to find the rear of your rig is difficult.
If there were red lights NOT at the rear, it would be common to mistake the actual end of the rig when looking for your rear red marker lost in headlights, high beams, road mist, falling rain or snow, wet windows and wet mirrors. Especially the right side!

Show me a picture of trucks on the highway with red markers in front of the rear marker. I don't find one in my internet searching.

[mnwebb]

Sweet Dude Truck! Does anyone know if a stripe kit is available aftermarket that doesn't have THE DUDE or the hat on it?

Thx,W

[dodgeboykim]

Very Nice Truck

[oldfrogdiving]

That thing is sweet! check the brakes and drive the crap out of it they can handle it. Just give plenty of space to the vic in front of you!

[Bill63]

Very nice - Congratulations on the purchase. I agree with others - just drive and enjoy it. I have a 1963 D300 and drive it regularly without issue (I have just under 35k original miles on mine). Great fun to drive and the money you make on a flip will not replace the enjoyment of driving it and all the ensuing conversations. I often get into conversations about my truck with all sorts of people.

Good luck!

Bill