'72 Sovereign Tail Lights Are Shot

[DPeakMD]

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]

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

[mello mike]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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).

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by mello mike

Are the 3" "lights" simply reflectors?

I am resurrecting this old thread in hopes someone can tell me how to remove the 3" reflectors. Just pry them out?

[cole3444]

My 71 and 72 Sovereigns reflectors were mounted with some type double sided tape when I changed my old ones out, my new ones had the same type tape, hope this helps

[Mx468]

Just pry them off, they are stuck on by double sided tape.

[6t4]

Hello, I am resurrecting this thread in hopes that some of you have kept those old rusty black tailight cans when did your repairs.... could you contact me if you have 1 or 2 that you would be willing to part with? No worries if they are rusted badly.... I am a good welder and looking for pieces to weld in
Thank you.

[PizzaChop]

I dunno.....I guess you could try.

I'm a decent welder myself but its pretty thin and with corrosion, hardly worth the effort to rehabilitate IMHO.

If you could find some light gauge stainless and fab your own, that would be the bomb. Aluminum would be even better. Possibly a section of aluminized or stainless exhaust if you could match the diameter.

Just had another thought and that was to have some "cans" digitally printed out of ABS or nylon. (My son does a lot of designing and printing.)

Or you could just suck it up and purchase a couple trucklite lights. (but its been so long since I commented on this thread, I have no idea what's available now. I'd probably go LED)

[chrismil]

any idea where i can get the frame for the lights. 1972 Soverign 31'
thanks,

chris

[featherbedder]

Originally Posted by chrismil

any idea where i can get the frame for the lights. 1972 Soverign 31'
thanks,

chris

Try vintage trailer supplies ,they have a lot of old style tail lights, cans, lenses, etc.

[DGJackson]

I tried to revive the cans on by '73 - welding, bondo, expoy, wasted a lot of time. Bit the bullet and bought replacements from Vintage Trailer supply - expensive but worth it.

Just checked - they still carry them with price of $49 a piece - think the price has gone up. In my opinion they are worth it.