Correct lights for 1948 JD M

[ThreeEdwardsM]

I’m working on the lights on my 1948 John Deere M. It currently has one light and no wire going to it. I also have a couple exposed/unused terminals that may be old lighting connections.

I’m trying to figure out what lighting would be correct for an early M.

Questions:

• Did early M tractors commonly have one front light, two front lights, or no lights depending on year or options? How about rear lights/fender-mounted lights/work lights?
• What rear light/work light was correct if at all?
• Were the MI/MT/MC lighting setups different?
• What are the correct style light arms and housings and where to source them?
• Good sources for correct reproduction lights?
• Anyone using LED bulbs inside original-style housings on 6V positive ground?
• Any wiring diagram tips for the light switch and front/rear lamp feeds?

I’d like to keep it looking original but functional.

Thanks for any photos or parts info.

 

[JIM MN]

Factory; one front bullet head light, left side. Option could be two front lights. Factory. rear light, a bullet light rear left side of seat, bracket on fender. One small red bullet light, AM1291 on M1263T bracket on the left seat frame. M/ MT/MC are all the same. Two front light brackets, one M646T and T11022T for one front light. To get lights and brackets try Dave Cook Tractor, Washburn Wisconsin 715-373-2092. He works with Dubuque tractors, as the "M". Reproduction lights and parts, Yesterday Tractors, in tractor parts. If LED bulbs fit the old fixture, go for it? Wiring diagram, might look in parts book PC 848 on pages 100-2--100 7. There are no good pictures showing wiring diagrams. Keep track of what color wires went where? Tape wires, and write information on tape?

 

[Jim.ME]

Here is a link to the wiring diagrams M-Man has posted, in the Gallery section, for early JDs. there is likely something there to help you.

M-Man media

 

[ThreeEdwardsM]

Thanks, Jims