Dash map light on '55 E-Series truck

[kurtruk]

Looking at the parts book and my E12, it appears the light was standard on earlier trucks, but was option AC-2712 on '55s? And AC-2779 on '56s, I suppose for a 12V version.
There are no holes in my dash for the light or switch, but there is an indent on the dash cap (indicating area to be cut out?). Looks like the earlier trucks had a door pillar switch as well, but not 55 and later?

[StudeRich]

Are you sure it is not because you have a Standard Cab (C2) and Not a "Deluxe" Cab (C4) ?
Map Lights were Standard on Deluxe Cabs.

And Yes, no later Trucks had Door Switches, but there are Plugged Holes in the Door Post so you can add them.

[Skip Lackie]

I believe your analysis of the parts book is correct. The 2R and 3R trucks all came with the map lights and door jamb switches, After that, the map light was optional. I don't believe the optional map light kits came with door switches. The dash pad wasn't available until the 1955 E-series, but all seem to have been cut for the optional map lights (which do appear in all the truck accessories brochures).

Back in the 1970s, Larry Pugh and I scoured junk yards looking for Stude trucks to strip for parts, as many parts were impossible to find. All the 2R trucks we found had map lights and door switches, and none of E series and later had them.

[TDITS]

Problem you run into is the electric switch for the windshield wipers hits the back of the light socket. The earlier trucks all had vacuum switches and they don't stick down as far from the dash. I put electric wipers from a 12v truck on my 51 and had to cut the switch down to make it fit with my map light.

[Skip Lackie]

Did you use the pull-type wiper switch from the 12v truck? It was designed to be mounted horizontally on the instrument cluster. The switch mounted vertically up on the top of the dash was a simple twist type, and sticks down less than an inch. I have the optional electric wipers on my 54 3Rs, and there's plenty of room between it and the map light.