Turn Signals

[76er]

I have seen posts on the forums about were turn signals offered on 56 pickups from the factory standard or as an option and the answer has been no yet mine has them, it's the original column, and it's not the accessory one that was popular as an add on. I also have seen pictures of them on other trucks here on the forum and some of the vendors also sell the harness for them. Perhaps i've misunderstood the answers to those questions i've seen on this site, can someone clarify?
Thanks

[OrrieG]

They were a factory option, dealer add-on and a bunch of companies made aftermarket ones that clamped on the column. Without the factory signals there is a bell shaped trim piece below the steering wheel. Factory turn signals replace that with a similar piece with the electrical and mechanical guts and obvious turn arm. The flasher is just stuffed up under the dash. After market ones come is two basic styles I have seen. Both attach to the steering column and have the flasher built into the housing. Most are NOT self canceling, you have to return the lever to the middle after making the turn. Another type has a mechanism that attaches to the steering wheel that cancels them. I do not think the original after market ones had a 4 way flasher feature, but I know the one I bought in the mid 70's for mine did have. Here are the connection and internal wiring diagrams for the factory ones.

[59 Apache 3100]

Hello and I had the add ones that clamp on the side of the steering column. I had removed those and went with the factory opions one that go on the steering column under the steering wheel with the cancelling plate. Very nice. Pretty easy to install and hook up. Make sure you get the wiring kit. It is plug and play.

[76er]

Where do you get the harness?

[59 Apache 3100]

I believe it was truckandcarshop.com ordered alot from them and good customer service.

[59 Apache 3100]

Here are a few pictures of it installed.

[mr48chev]

I may be wrong but have always been under the belief that GM Went to built in turn signals on pickups with the 54 model. 53 and earlier had to have the add on turnsignals that clamped to the column.

[76er]

Hey thanks a million for the great info fellows, knew you guys would know.
I'll check that site right now

[Russell Ashley]

There seems to be a common problem with the turn signal kits like you have that you need to check on before you put the steering wheel back on. I ran into it and others on the forum have also. The casting is too thick where the pivot screw goes through it. To check it, tighten the pivot screw down tight and then work the turn signal lever through it's range of movement. If the screw turns with it or if the movement is stiff you will need to file the casting to reduce the thickness. The lever should move fairly easily without binding. The shoulder of the pivot screw must be longer than the casting is thick so that the casting is free to move with the screw tight. This a pic of my old one showing the area that I had to file down on the new one. There was an obvious difference in the thickness of the old one and the new re-popped one.