My backup light sockets are corroded beyond fixing. I can't find replacements. Any leads?
THanks,
Mark

 

Most decent parts stores will carry standard 1156 bulb-sockets that are meant to be either soldered into the old-timey sheet-metal tail-lights, or epoxied into plastic ones.

You can also get the better flat-based bulb-sockets; these type do not have a seperate single element reverse-light bulb, but instead, are wired to only use the bright side of a double-element brake-light bulb.

The electrical contact and longevity of the later style bulbs makes this upgrade worth the effort.

Without taking apart one of our lights, I would assume that you would have to retrofit the twist-lock "eared" portion of your old socket onto the genereic fit-all replacement; that's no hill for a climber, though.

 

I got all four sockets from a u-pull-it yard. Pulled them out of a chrysler mini van. The way the mini van lights sit, they are up high and dry and are like brand new. The sockets are identical except that the only difference is that the mini van sockets extend into to the lamp bucket about 1/2 inch shorter but still worked great. Even the color coded wires are the same. Just used some shrink tubing and soldered them to the existing wiring loom. Cost- about $2....

 

That's way too easy.

 

i bought mine off amazon...was a borg-warner item, i think

 

Also I noticed that the pre '97 dakotas use the same basic tail lights as our trucks,and some of the later ones have plastic sockets that use the flat base bulbs.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

Thanks for all the good ideas. This will help a lot!
Mark