72 Sovereign Tail Lights Are Shot - Page 2

PizzaChop · 06-22-2009, 05:49 PM

Mike,

I pulled both frames and buffed them before replacing cans with "modified" SignalStat (now Trucklite) cans and lenses.

Here are a few pics. A bit more work than the LEDs but you can drill a hole in the back of the can and use the fiber optics as well.

I purchased four lights, 2 clear lenses (for backup), and 12 side marker lights for less than $100 from a local truck supply outlet. (I strongly recommend replacing all lights if you haven't already...I love having everything work when I leave the driveway.)

There's a bit of work involved modifying the fixture, but not too much. It kept the original look, which I prefer.

Lothlorian · 06-22-2009, 07:31 PM

Pizza Chop told me what he did last year so I took his advice and did the same thing. I got my replacment lights at Northern Tool. I took the lenses of my airstream down to Northern Tool and matched them with Peterson lights. They work great and very inexpensive. The round lights edges have to be sanded a little bit and then they fit right in.

Brian

DPeakMD · 06-22-2009, 08:20 PM

I'm not clear on how you guys knew where to drill through the aluminum bezel to remove the rivets.

mello mike · 06-22-2009, 10:09 PM

Thanks, Dallas, Brian and Ron for your responses.

I decided to work on the right brake light, since that's a priorty over the two reverse lights that are still OOC. I drilled out the two rivets holding the can in and with a slight tug, the can came out. After a quick inspection I determined that the can wasn't too corroded, most of that being on the bottom. Took a wire brush, file, and sand paper and cleaned it up. Then applied two coats of black Rustoleum spray paint. Tomorrow, I'll solder the new socket to the can (picked that up at Pep Boys Auto).

I got lucky with the running lights. One of the previous owners replaced them all with the modern running lights with the tiny two pronged light bulbs (don't know the size).

Today I ordered 2 clear and 2 red lenses from Oasis RV. The old lenses were stained, dull, and scratched in some places. They definately needed replacing.

PizzaChop · 06-23-2009, 06:54 AM

Dallas,

Mine must have been removed at an earlier date and had rivets holding them in from the outside.

mello mike · 06-23-2009, 09:31 PM

Fixed the right tail light this evening.

Rather than soldier the new socket to the can, I soldered a small wire to the socket and crimped a loop fastener on the other end. To form a ground, the loop was attached to one of the screws (used screws instead of rivets to mount the can). Works great and looks great, except I discovered a small problem with my trailer's lights. Time for another thread....

DPeakMD · 06-23-2009, 10:27 PM

Good job on the cans, Mike! It looks like you're on the way to getting those lights fixed. I hope you receive the gaskets with your new lenses.

Just checked out your blog. Very nice. If your bathroom is still out, you can remove the inner skins to get to the backside of the lights if need be.

mello mike · 06-24-2009, 05:58 PM

Got the new lenses today from Oasis RV. All of them come with gaskets and new screws.

mello mike · 06-24-2009, 09:46 PM

Okay, here are some pics of the right tail light fully refurbished. Note the grounding wire for the new socket in the one pic and the new Bargman Lens in the other.

Maryw164 · 06-24-2009, 11:03 PM

Mike,

It's probably too late, as you have already installed the new lights/lenses; but if you paint the inside surface behind your light bulb (can?)silver it will reflect the light better and help make it brighter. Just an idea.

Mary

mello mike · 06-27-2009, 02:55 PM

Well, things were going great refurbishing my tail lights until I got the reverse lights. Yikes!!!! The rusty can for left reverse light practically disintegrated as I tried to pull it out. It's totally a loss. Got to scramble for a Plan B. Peterson replacement light or LED?

Inland RV Center, In · 06-27-2009, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mello mike

Well, things were going great refurbishing my tail lights until I got the reverse lights. Yikes!!!! The rusty can for left reverse light practically disintegrated as I tried to pull it out. It's totally a loss. Got to scramble for a Plan B. Peterson replacement light or LED?

Mike.

If you change the tail lights and back up lights to the sealed LED lights, you won't have another problem with them for probably 30 to 40 years.

By that time, you and I won't care.

Andy

PizzaChop · 06-28-2009, 08:49 PM

Mike,

Whatever your decision, I recommend you replace all of them if you intend to keep the unit. They'll match, and you'll never have to deal with it again. IMHO, one of the many better decisions I made with the Sovereign (as well as replacing all the marker lights).