Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Updated Tail Lights
| Updated Tail Lights [message #64383] |
Sun, 15 November 2009 19:36  |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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I went to the Men's mall today where they picked $50 out of my pocket for a pair of newer tail light assemblies. Even the best ones are somewhat faded, but I'll try to buff them up before proceeding. Lot's to choose from, but none of them were as new.
I don't know how soon I'll do the switch, or which method I'll choose - cutting the old backing so that the new assembly fits, or cutting the new assembly so that the new lens attaches - but I'll try to document it.
What I hope to do is take a picture at, say 9:00 pm before and after, and of course, during the install. I'm curious to see if there is a dramatic difference between the two.
There was a very large lot of cars just waiting to be picked apart, but not yet ready. They were all labeled CARS. I was looking for a distributor from a 307 Old's, but found none.
Wish me luck.
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Updated Tail Lights [message #64390 is a reply to message #64383] |
Sun, 15 November 2009 20:03  |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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having just gone both ways (so to speak)on two coaches (26 & 23)
http://gmcmotorhome.info/body.html#tail
I must say I much prefer the hole in the coach to the mutilation of the
tail light.
1 There is absolutely no reflector in the old light assembly --- the new
light assemblies have quite a nice reflector, so when you cut it off, you
give up a real reflector.
2 After the GMC has been modified, it is much easier to reach the wiring
for a third tail light, backup camera, trailer wiring, etc.
3 It is much easier to change the new light assembly (when you give up and
buy a new one) with the new reflector.
4 The holes just do not match with the OEM light plate, It is just a
kludge and better to throw it away and mount the whole light assembly.
5 Cutting off the reflector is just really messy, I used a dremal type
cutoff saw. It just looked crappy when I was done. I was glad to hide it
when I put it on ( but I still know it is there;>)
JWID
GENE
>
> I don't know how soon I'll do the switch, or which method I'll choose -
> cutting the old backing so that the new assembly fits, or cutting the new
> assembly so that the new lens attaches - but I'll try to document it.
>
> --
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: Updated Tail Lights [message #64398 is a reply to message #64383] |
Sun, 15 November 2009 20:47 |
shawnee
Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| ljdavick wrote on Sun, 15 November 2009 20:36 |
I went to the Men's mall today where they picked $50 out of my pocket for a pair of newer tail light assemblies. Even the best ones are somewhat faded, but I'll try to buff them up before proceeding. Lot's to choose from, but none of them were as new.
I don't know how soon I'll do the switch, or which method I'll choose - cutting the old backing so that the new assembly fits, or cutting the new assembly so that the new lens attaches - but I'll try to document it.
What I hope to do is take a picture at, say 9:00 pm before and after, and of course, during the install. I'm curious to see if there is a dramatic difference between the two.
There was a very large lot of cars just waiting to be picked apart, but not yet ready. They were all labeled CARS. I was looking for a distributor from a 307 Old's, but found none.
Wish me luck.
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Larry,
If you want real tail lights and direction signals go get two LED truck tail lights either round or rectangular at a truck stop like Flying J. Cut the back part out or the lenses. Cut holes in the lenses to fit the truck lights through from the back of the lens. Glue the LED light in the cut out with Goop. You can get a cord that plugs into the new LED lights and tie the other end to the proper wires on the inside of the coach. You don't have to modify the coach and if you want to revert back to the original light it is no problem. You don't have to worry anymore about people seeing you.
Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
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| Re: Updated Tail Lights [message #64401 is a reply to message #64383] |
Sun, 15 November 2009 21:02 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I cut the hole for one in my coach today. It looks like there are bosses for holes that line up with the newer lights, as if they designed for them...
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Updated Tail Lights [message #64412 is a reply to message #64383] |
Sun, 15 November 2009 22:39 |
whmckinley
Messages: 13
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mayfield Village
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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On the LED rear lights, If you are keeping the original bulbs in the front usually all you have to do is upgrade to a heavy duty flasher. Don't know why but the original doesn't work correctly. Had to do this when I updated the tail-lights on a 66 mustang I had with Dakota Digital LED lights. It was even listed in their install instructions.
Bill
1973 Glacier
26ft bowling alley with wheels
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| Re: Updated Tail Lights [message #64432 is a reply to message #64398] |
Mon, 16 November 2009 07:33 |
Oldngray
Messages: 544
Registered: August 2009
Location: Punta Gorda Florida
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
If you want real tail lights and direction signals go get two LED truck tail lights either round or rectangular at a truck stop like Flying J. Cut the back part out or the lenses. Cut holes in the lenses to fit the truck lights through from the back of the lens. Glue the LED light in the cut out with Goop. You can get a cord that plugs into the new LED lights and tie the other end to the proper wires on the inside of the coach. You don't have to modify the coach and if you want to revert back to the original light it is no problem. You don't have to worry anymore about people seeing you. [/quote]
I like the look of the OEM but would like to have LED, do you have any pictures showing how you did this. ?
Richard MacDonald
Punta Gorda, Florida
Sold our TZE April 2015
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| Re: [GMCnet] Updated Tail Lights [message #64435 is a reply to message #64383] |
Mon, 16 November 2009 07:46 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
Most body shop supply places carry a product for refinishing plastic
lenses. I have used this on faded, discolored headlight lenses, and
several cars and other projects and have to say that it works as
advertised. I don't know how far the product stretches but so far I
have done eight pairs of headlight and tailight lenses and they all
still look new. Expensive stuff but it sure goes a long way. You
cannot tell the refinished from new.
On Sun, Nov 15, 2009 at 6:36 PM, Larry Davick <ljdavick@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
> I went to the Men's mall today where they picked $50 out of my pocket for a pair of newer tail light assemblies. Even the best ones are somewhat faded, but I'll try to buff them up before proceeding. Lot's to choose from, but none of them were as new.
>
> I don't know how soon I'll do the switch, or which method I'll choose - cutting the old backing so that the new assembly fits, or cutting the new assembly so that the new lens attaches - but I'll try to document it.
>
> What I hope to do is take a picture at, say 9:00 pm before and after, and of course, during the install. I'm curious to see if there is a dramatic difference between the two.
>
> There was a very large lot of cars just waiting to be picked apart, but not yet ready. They were all labeled CARS. I was looking for a distributor from a 307 Old's, but found none.
>
> Wish me luck.
> --
> Larry Davick
> The Mystery Machine
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Updated Tail Lights [message #64437 is a reply to message #64435] |
Mon, 16 November 2009 07:49 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
Check with motorcycle shops too they stock the stuff to polish helmet
visors.
Regards,
Rob Mueller
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion-The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion-Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Steven Ferguson
Sent: Tuesday, 17 November 2009 12:46 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Updated Tail Lights
Larry,
Most body shop supply places carry a product for refinishing plastic
lenses.
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: Updated Tail Lights [message #64443 is a reply to message #64404] |
Mon, 16 November 2009 08:15 |
shawnee
Messages: 422
Registered: February 2004
Location: NC
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| WD0AFQ wrote on Sun, 15 November 2009 22:36 |
Larry,
If you want real tail lights and direction signals go get two LED truck tail lights either round or rectangular at a truck stop like Flying J. Cut the back part out or the lenses. Cut holes in the lenses to fit the truck lights through from the back of the lens. Glue the LED light in the cut out with Goop. You can get a cord that plugs into the new LED lights and tie the other end to the proper wires on the inside of the coach. You don't have to modify the coach and if you want to revert back to the original light it is no problem. You don't have to worry anymore about people seeing you.
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One of these days I am going with what you have Gene. Did you have to change the flasher to an led flasher or do the front blinker bulbs keep it working? I will have to do something about the Rostra cruise control also. I am thinking about leaving a bulb in line so I dont have to worry about the cruise shutting off when I hit the brakes.
Dan[/quote]
Dan,
I didn't change anything but connect the wires to the proper wires inside the coach and every thing works OK. There is a small panel inside to get to the wires. I did not have to make any additional changes. I don't think you want the cruise control not to go off when you hit the brakes. Hard to slow down when the engine is trying to maintain speed. If you mean when you use the turn signals, you are on the wrong switch under the dash. Duane Simmons instructions will tell you the right one. I know because I connected to the wrong one and every time I changed lanes the cruise went off.
Gene Dotson
74 Canyonlands
www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
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| Re: [GMCnet] Updated Tail Lights [message #64453 is a reply to message #64443] |
Mon, 16 November 2009 09:28 |
Steven Ferguson
Messages: 3447
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Gene,
There was a coach at our rally this past week that had all LED
taillights and he could not get his cruise control to work properly.
(Rostra.)
On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 7:15 AM, Gene Dotson <shawnee@charter.net> wrote:
>
>
> WD0AFQ wrote on Sun, 15 November 2009 22:36
>> Larry,
>>
>> If you want real tail lights and direction signals go get two LED truck tail lights either round or rectangular at a truck stop like Flying J. Cut the back part out or the lenses. Cut holes in the lenses to fit the truck lights through from the back of the lens. Glue the LED light in the cut out with Goop. You can get a cord that plugs into the new LED lights and tie the other end to the proper wires on the inside of the coach. You don't have to modify the coach and if you want to revert back to the original light it is no problem. You don't have to worry anymore about people seeing you.
>
>
>
> One of these days I am going with what you have Gene. Did you have to change the flasher to an led flasher or do the front blinker bulbs keep it working? I will have to do something about the Rostra cruise control also. I am thinking about leaving a bulb in line so I dont have to worry about the cruise shutting off when I hit the brakes.
>
> Dan[/quote]
>
> Dan,
>
> I didn't change anything but connect the wires to the proper wires inside the coach and every thing works OK. There is a small panel inside to get to the wires. I did not have to make any additional changes. I don't think you want the cruise control not to go off when you hit the brakes. Hard to slow down when the engine is trying to maintain speed. If you mean when you use the turn signals, you are on the wrong switch under the dash. Duane Simmons instructions will tell you the right one. I know because I connected to the wrong one and every time I changed lanes the cruise went off.
> --
> Gene Dotson
> 74 Canyonlands
> www.bdub.net/Motorhome_Enhancements
>
> New Windows and Aluminum Radiators
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Steve Ferguson
'76 EII
Sierra Vista, AZ
Urethane bushing source
www.bdub.net/ferguson/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Updated Tail Lights [message #64515 is a reply to message #64383] |
Mon, 16 November 2009 15:12 |
Rick Denney
Messages: 430
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Larry Davick writes...
> I don't know how soon I'll do the switch, or which method I'll
> choose - cutting the old backing so that the new assembly fits, or
> cutting the new assembly so that the new lens attaches - but I'll try to document it.
I would strongly recommend enlarging the opening in the GMC and using
the newer assembly as it is provided. You will have brighter lights
and the reflector will stay cleaner for longer.
The newer light assemblies are brighter than the old ones, primarily
because they ahve a molded chromed plastic reflector that is just the
right shape rather than the stamped aluminum reflector that will have
an oxide coating on it.
I have never felt the need to change those lights to LEDs. Unlike the
roof lights and corner lights, these are easy to seal and easy to
change the bulbs. And having the current draw on the tail, turn, and
brake lights helps make other things work properly.
Plus, do we drive our coaches so much (especially at night) that we
really need tail-light bulbs that will last 100,000 hours?
The LED tail lights on newer cars arrange the LEDs to provide the
proper pattern and look. It is no mean feat to accomplish that with
aftermarket LED lights, though I'm sure others are satisfied with what
they've done. The regular bulbs do work very well in that newer
reflector housing, and the installation is completely factory.
Here are mine in bright sun. Note that the tail lights are
substantially brighter in the photo than the (bright) LED third-eye
brake light above the rear window.
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=12285
Rick "not worried about 3 amps" Denney
'73 230 Ex-Glacier "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
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'73 Glacier 230 "Jaws"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Updated Tail Lights [message #64623 is a reply to message #64540] |
Tue, 17 November 2009 13:57 |
Rick Denney
Messages: 430
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Rob Mueller writes...
> I notice you've painted Jaws since I saw it at Harrington last year. Did you
> do it yourself?
No, the back end has been white since I replaced the Adobe Posterior.
The rest of it is still Sky Blue (sort of).
> It appears you also installed a rear bumper storage compartment, how do you
> like it?
I don't think I could do without it for storing dirty stuff like water
hoses, shore power cable (I no longer have the side storage
compartment that most coaches have), bottle jacks, emergency flares,
oil/fluids, wood blocks, and so on. It is not perfect, though--I wish
the hardware was stainless and I note that it does suffer froma bit of
creep after installation, making the lids require some fiddling to
close properly. But it looks reasonable on the coach and provides
needed outside storage.
Rick "whose coach has one good angle, and at that only from a
distance" Denney
'73 230 Ex-Glacier "Jaws"
Northern Virginia
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'73 Glacier 230 "Jaws"
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