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Post by 61shastacompact on Oct 14, 2009 22:35:57 GMT -5
So I am working on my tail lights on the Shasta. The old lenses are toast and the backing plates are not much better. I do have NEW Bargman 99 lenses that I bought from eBay seller mooseattack a while back. If you contact him he MAY sell you a pair outside of an auction. Anyway, I keep reading that a one gallon paint can lid works well as a backing plate base, but I have tried some and the fit is not to my liking. Has anyone had any luck with this? I also have some LED lights that fit almost perfect behind the lenses, but I may have to rebuild the stock backing plates and stick with good old incandescent bulbs. Any input or comments would be greatly appreciated! Jim Portland, OR
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Post by Red Dirt on Oct 14, 2009 23:23:22 GMT -5
My backing plates were pretty rotten, but I reused them. The screws that hold the 99's on just go into the aluminum sheet metal on mine. Any chance you could attach the led lights to the old backing plates? I have thought about replacing mine with led lights, but for the time being it is fairly back burner.
Red Dirt
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Oct 15, 2009 1:15:00 GMT -5
This Aristocrat owner used a Closet Base, wax freee gasket, and small piece of Lexan. 66mainliner.blogspot.com/2009/03/tail-lights.htmlI would probably use something other than lexan but I thought it was a pretty good idea! I like that he has a rubber seal in there. Brian
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Post by Red Dirt on Oct 15, 2009 11:54:56 GMT -5
Hmmm. I wonder how that would fit size wise with the Bargman 99's? I need to make a trip to Lowes. ;D
Red Dirt
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Post by 61shastacompact on Oct 15, 2009 21:35:50 GMT -5
Nice link Brian! I love it when people think "outside the box". Not sure if the closet base has a tall enough lip to fit inside the lense, but an added gasket could probably make up the difference. Jim
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Post by 61shastacompact on Oct 17, 2009 21:00:17 GMT -5
I was thinking about how easy it could be to fabricate some new backing plates from a solid piece of aluminum if I had access to a metal lathe. I will have to do some checking around.
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Post by Shutzee on Oct 19, 2009 11:32:43 GMT -5
If you are talking about the tail lights, I heard that a paint can lid is a perfect fit.
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Post by 61shastacompact on Oct 19, 2009 13:47:18 GMT -5
Anyway, I keep reading that a one gallon paint can lid works well as a backing plate base, but I have tried some and the fit is not to my liking. If you are talking about the tail lights, I heard that a paint can lid is a perfect fit. Unfortunately, the paint can lids that I have tried are far from perfect.
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Post by 61shastacompact on Oct 20, 2009 20:37:43 GMT -5
I came up with a solution for the backing plates. I milled some out of 3/4" Seaboard plastic on on my wood lathe. Seaboard is made to withstand harsh marine environments and is UV stable. Here is a picture showing the raw piece on the left and one finished backing plate on the right. Here is the picture of the LED light that I will be using behind the Bargman lenses: Here is the backing plated mounted to the trailer: Here is one side mounted and complete: Now I am off to the lathe to make the other side! ;D Jim
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Oct 20, 2009 21:48:08 GMT -5
Those look great!
Any chance that you would sell sets of them in the Shasta Parts section? I think if folks could find the exact model of LED tail lights you used it would be a great kit!
I have thought about doing a LED conversion myself. I worry the old lights aren't bright enough and no one would know they would be converted until they were lit up.
Nice job. Brian
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Post by 61shastacompact on Oct 20, 2009 22:37:03 GMT -5
Thanks for the kudos Brian! The LED lights were purchased a while back on eBay and are of the standard 4" variety for trucks/trailers. I cannot seem to find the exact model now however. The key is to get a model that is as thin as possible. Some models are fatter on the backside......just like me! As for making the backing plates for sale, I had thought of this while making mine. They are not too difficult to make. You just need to take it slow for a nice fit and finish. The plastic is a little more difficult to deal with compared to wood as it will come off in long strings and ends up everywhere. My other issue of course is lack of time. Thanks for the thought though. Jim
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Post by 61shastacompact on Oct 22, 2009 21:23:35 GMT -5
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Post by Red Dirt on Oct 23, 2009 0:20:31 GMT -5
Those are really nice. Now for a trip to my grandfathers garage... Great idea, nice look.
Red Dirt
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Post by 61shastacompact on Apr 7, 2010 20:42:17 GMT -5
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Post by Atomic Addiction on Apr 7, 2010 21:28:43 GMT -5
Thanks for the link Jim.
I like seeing folks being creative. I hope I can save mine so I don't have to go through this.
Brian
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Post by homesweetroam on Apr 9, 2010 22:53:15 GMT -5
I happened across one paint lid while in sculpture class the other day, brought it home and it fits pretty darn good...but I don't think it's a gallon-not sure- only have the lid- but doesn't seem that big. Anyways- enjoy all these other solutions- and the photos. Just added photos from this morning- took our original tails off this morning to start cleaning. -incl pics with the lid
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