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mello mike · 06-28-2009, 01:53 PM

Both reverse tail light "Cans" in my '72 were rusted beyond belief. Of course, these Cans aren't being made any more, so I got to thinking today what would be a suitable replacement for these? "Hey! How about a large tuna can?," I said to myself. These cans are almost the exact same size at a hair under 4 inches. I don't have one handy for this photo but I have another that illustrates my point. The lens can be filed down every so slightly to fit the contours of the can.

The large tuna can can be cut using tin snips on top which will be needed so the light can shine out but leaving enough of a lip so that the lens can be screwed into the Can. After completing all cuts the can would essentially look like the original Airstream Can. Drill a large hole on the bottom for the socket and positive lead, spray a coat of primer, then a couple coats of black Rustoleum spray paint.

What a cheap and inexpensive (about 2 bucks a can) way to refurbish your Airstream leaving the original tail light look while retaining use of the Fiber Optic system.

I'll start on this tomorrow and post my results.

Maryw164 · 06-28-2009, 02:20 PM

Ingenious!

How are you going to secure the screws?

Remember if you paint the can with silver paint instead of black it will reflect the light better making it brighter.

Mary

mello mike · 06-28-2009, 02:31 PM

Thanks, Mary. But I doubt I'm the first to think of this.

The lens would be secured to the top of the can. Like I said in my original post, "the large tuna can can be cut using tin snips on top which will be needed so the light can shine out but leaving enough of a lip so that the lens can be screwed into the Can."

This solution will work and save me money on new lights or LEDs. Yeah, I thought of using silver paint earlier, but it won't look vintage if I do that. Of course, who will see it but you, LOL.

Maryw164 · 06-28-2009, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mello mike

Thanks, Mary. But I doubt I'm the first to think of this.

The lens would be secured to the top of the can. Like I said in my original post, "the large tuna can can be cut using tin snips on top which will be needed so the light can shine out but leaving enough of a lip so that the lens can be screwed into the Can."

This solution will work and save me money on new lights or LEDs. Yeah, I thought of using silver paint earlier, but it won't look vintage if I do that. Of course, who will see it but you, LOL.

Exactly. I would think that the brighter light for safety, should out weigh the vintage issue. IMHO

We are going to be putting the LED lights on ours. We got them from Inland RV. I just wish they had a more vintage look to the lens, or maybe a design in the plastic lens to not allow the actual "LEDS" to be seen directly.

Mary

Ganaraska · 06-28-2009, 08:44 PM

What about small stainless steel bowls from the dollar store? I'm not saying I have checked if this will work, it's just a thought.

Inland RV Center, In · 06-28-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maryw164

Exactly. I would think that the brighter light for safety, should out weigh the vintage issue. IMHO

We are going to be putting the LED lights on ours. We got them from Inland RV. I just wish they had a more vintage look to the lens, or maybe a design in the plastic lens to not allow the actual "LEDS" to be seen directly.

Mary

Mary.

Welcome to modern technology, that strives to make things better as opposed to keeping them the same.

We certainly would not, for a number of reasons, want tire manufacturers to make them like the good ole days.

In our inherent search for bigger, better and the like, some mistakes will happen. We all strive to keep them at a minimum.

Tail lights that are brighter, and at a lesser cost of power (amps), is a huge improvement for highway safety, and helping, however small, to keep our planet greener.

Andy

mello mike · 07-01-2009, 04:17 PM

Okay, I didn't think I was the first to think of this and I was right. Here's one guy's solution using a tuna can. I wouldn't do it quite this way, but he has the right idea.

Get Out the Map

After rumaging through grocery stores, it doesn't look like anybody makes a can the same size as the Airstream canister. The Airstream canister is a little over an inch high and the canned tuna and chicken cans are higher than this. So time for plan B. I'll need to cut a 4" can to size and use a little JB Weld on the top for the lens to screw into. The open end of the can will house the lens, opposite of the what the guy did in the above link.

If anybody knows of a can that will fit the requirements of an Airstream tail light canister, I'd be interested to know about it.

Inland RV Center, In · 07-01-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mello mike

If anybody knows of a can that will fit the requirements of an Airstream tail light canister, I'd be interested to know about it.

Mike, sure do.

It's called an LED replacement.

No more worries about rust, bad bulbs or sockets, and is the bulkb really working.

Andy

Maryw164 · 07-01-2009, 10:44 PM

Mike,

Check with these guys. They are local to where we live, and my hubby Steve says they can find and deal with many different lighting manufacturers. It can't hurt to ask.

http://www.luslighthouse.com/

Hope you & the family have a good 4th,
Mary

Maryw164 · 07-01-2009, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Mike, sure do.

It's called an LED replacement.

No more worries about rust, bad bulbs or sockets, and is the bulkb really working.

Andy

Not everyone has the means to go out and buy all the new technology. It might be the easy solution, but not the only solution. Necessity is the mother of invention. Maybe through Mike's search for finding a cost effective replacement, he'll find a something that others could benefit from too. Not everyone has deep pockets to fund repairs and renovations.

Mary

Mexray · 07-01-2009, 11:21 PM

If I'm not mistaken, those 'cans' look like the standard sizes used in the trucking industry for many years...

Look up a truck parts supplier or large truck stop in your area to find brand new replacements, along with LED units that will fit...

I've seen those light 'cans' made of aluminum and even stainless steel (used on SS tankers)...

Our 78 has the Marathon, square lights, and I had to modify some LED fender mounted truck units for our tail and stop lights...they sure BRIGHT...

**Kevin245** · 07-02-2009, 05:23 AM

Hey Mike!!

I've been researching Grote, and they have a pretty comprehensive selection of lighting for the automotive industry. They may offer something that will work for your application.

I'd never heard of them before, but they are original equipment on our 73 Avion.

Best of Luck,

Kevin

Grote The First Name In Vehicle Safety Systems

PizzaChop · 07-02-2009, 05:58 AM

Mike,

I think you're being a bit short sighted in your quest for a cheap alternative. The vegetable can will rust very soon, regardless of what you do to prevent it.

Either do the LEDs or a modification of the Truck lite, but using a tin can will require you to face this dilemma again,most likely within 2 years.

This is an area where I think it is best to sink the cost, get it done right, and not worry about it again as long as you own the trailer.

(But maybe I'm the only guy on the forums who has delayed departures more than once to screw around with tail lights and a 12v tester because one light didn't work.)

mello mike · 07-02-2009, 11:27 PM

I spoke with Steve at Vintage Trailers today and he is seriously considering making these canisters. It appears that this type was used in model years 1969 to 1974, which is a pretty sizable number of trailers. Doesn't sound like metal is feasible, which I think is a good thing. Those who would like to see Steve add this to his already impressive list of vintage items, should call him and encourage this addition. Guys like him need our support.

anami · 08-06-2009, 05:12 PM

i was on vintage trailer supply today and was pretty sure i saw the cans there Exterior Lights

Are these round ones not the right ones?

anami

Quote:

Originally Posted by mello mike

I spoke with Steve at Vintage Trailers today and he is seriously considering making these canisters. It appears that this type was used in model years 1969 to 1974, which is a pretty sizable number of trailers. .

Chuck · 08-06-2009, 06:41 PM

no, they're not.

StingrayL82 · 08-06-2009, 08:04 PM

Mike, Mexray is right. The guy who did the refurbishestoration (my word) on our Sovereign used light buckets from a trucker supply place. A little trimming on the buckets and they fit perfect.

TWaugh · 08-06-2009, 08:55 PM

Speaking of rusted taillights. It didn't dawn on me until I got my 71 Caravel home earlier this year what was different about the taillights.

Looks like at one point in time the previous owner had the same problem with the taillights rusting out and had the entire unit replaced. I'm not sure if they are ones from a late model airstream or truck type but, they seem to fit fairly well. All the work was done from the outside because its held in place with four screws one on each corner. Seems to me I remember reading the instructions for this procedure in a maintenance manual I have. You cut the rivets from the outside by sliding a thin chisel between the light fixture frame and the side of the trailer. I had to change out over half of the screws to stainless. Whoever installed it didn't realize regular steel screws were going to rust and stain the chrome finish.

Even though they aren't the original round lights I kind of like the look of the square lens now that they are cleaned up.
This is a photo before I picked it up to bring home.

Tom

mello mike · 08-11-2009, 07:32 PM

In order to save time I decided to just go ahead and purchase the ugly LED reverse lights for my Sovereign from Inland Andy. But I found an easy solution to dress up these ugly but very effective lights. See pic. I simply gorilla glued a brand new vintage style lens over the new LED. Looks vintage but is LED bright.

I was able to salvage the canisters for both tail lights and did this mainly to retain the Fiber Optic front view capability. I'm pretty happy with the way all the tail lights look and function.

funkill · 08-12-2009, 11:54 AM

Thanks for the tip Mello Mike!

When I had my trailer connector rewired (to standard pin/wire configuraiton), my reverse lights still didn't light. I was told that there is power to them - but the cans are completely rusted and won't hold the bulb. So, I started looking through the lighting resources at Vintage Trailer and saw the LEDs. I haven't purchased yet - because I won't do the work until I start my stripping/polishing work - but wondered also about replacing the markers with LED's. The price seems good, but it does *add up* quickly!

Wonder why the back-up cans seem to rust before the brake lights? Seems odd. Thanks again for the tip on how to make them look vintage. Glad it doesn't significantly reduce the brightness either. Not that I'm going to be super worried when backing - since I'm hardly ever running in reverse in traffic anyway. Hardly ever ...

If anyone is still out there ... are the round rear reflectors (in the lighting bar) pretty easy to replace? I did order those and figure that they are secured with an adhesive. Hope the old ones pop off easy. What should I use to reattach - I am a big consumer of liquid nail. But I know it isn't a fix all!
Laura