Differences Between Guide and Dietz Tractor Lights?

Farmallhal · Apr 15, 2011

I just put this on the Restoration and Repair Forum and was advised this is the best forum to post this thread. I had it also on the Farmall IHC forum but didn't receive and responses there.
I have a Farmall 240 trator and I'm trying to determine what replacement wire harnesses I need for my tractor as I see they came with lights from both Guide and Dietz. I need to determine which lights are on my tractor and have looked them over very closely (haven't disassembled them) and can't find any manufacturer notations anywhere. Looking for any unique distinguishing characteristics between the two brands to make the determination of which I have. Thanks for any responses to assist in this identification, Hal.

Don-Wi · Apr 15, 2011

When I had my Ollie 1600 all torn down for paint, the bowls themselves had Guide stamped into the back of them, where they were bolted to the fender. If you take them off and clean them up, you might be able to see a stamping from the MFG.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Farmallhal · Apr 15, 2011

Thanks Donovan, is the stamping visible on the inside and can only be seen if the sealed beam is removed? On my Super C with the flat back style lights Guide is stamped on the outside and very visible. All the bowls on the twin front and single rear light appear to be the same style and also have the same rubber grommet where the wiring goes into the bowls to the sealed beams. Will look closer for something but all these lights are already very clean and nothing easily visible. Thanks again for your response, Hal.

Don-Wi · Apr 15, 2011

It was stamped on the outside of the bowl. Could be that they're Dietz if nothing is visible. Not very well versed in lights, but it seems to me that Guide was very proud to put they're name on their lights.

Donovan from Wisconsin

Mike M · Apr 16, 2011

Why would the wiring be different ? I'm familar with the Guide lamps. Maybe the wiring would be the clue. As in the guides use one wire and ground through the housing. Maybe the other brand runs a ground wire ? Doesn't the Farmall parts books show a break down of the lamps ?

Farmallhal · Apr 16, 2011

Mike, exceptional questions and yes I've been into the parts catalogs looking for individual part differences. The only difference between the two brands shown in the catalogs are the wire harness numbers for each manufacturer. Both have a two wire harness coming out of the light bodies. It is really difficult to see up under the dash on the 240 how things are routed and in addition the tractor was painted a few years ago so all the wiring is red at this point and very hard to distinguish individual wires for any distance. Thanks very much for your response and the saga continues, Hal.

greygoat · Apr 16, 2011

Are you guys that fussy about light brands, are
your tractors going to a show to be examined
by a picky judge? When buying replacements I
get whatever brand is on sale at Farm-Fleet!

Heat Houser · Apr 16, 2011

The Guide lamps on my 560 have Guide stamped in cursive and Made in the USA wrapped in a circle around the Guide.

If you have the original lenses/beams, I think the Guide mark was a 60 degree triangle with the letter G in the center. (Not 100% sure of this)

The Guide stamping is roughly centered on the rear of the housing and is visible from the outside.

Hope this helps

Farmallhal · Apr 16, 2011

Not the least bit worried about a "picky judge" at a tractor show I just need the right wire hardness for my existing lights. I'm just trying to determine the correct wire harness for the lights as they are different depending on what light brand is on the tractor. I have wiring issues and nothing is wrong with the original lights except the wiring is all old and brittle on this 1958 tractor. Also, try and restore a Farmall 240 and see who makes and what reproduction items are available anywhere - next to none unless the item is used on a different model. This is a rare tractor model for a Farmall with only around 3600 built over a four year period which makes finding replacement parts very difficult, Hal.

Farmallhal · Apr 16, 2011

Thanks for your response as I'm about to think they must be Dietz lights due to the absence of a manufacturers mark. I know on the Super C I restored the flatback lights were well identified with Guide on the body and on other letter series tractors I have with tear drop lights the lenses have Guide shown on them. The lights on this Farmall 240 just have nothing anywhere except the rear light sealed beam has a GE logo in the center but that is probably a replacement sealed beam from some time ago. Thanks again for your response, Hal.

Differences Between Guide and Dietz Tractor Lights?

Farmallhal

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Don-Wi

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Farmallhal

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Don-Wi

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Mike M

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Farmallhal

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greygoat

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Heat Houser

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Farmallhal

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Farmallhal

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