UHaul tail lights

[mmeyer]

I have been in contact with a tail light manufacturer who can reproduce the Tail light lens. It will not say UHaul on it. I am looking to judge the amount of interest there might be before investing in the tooling necessaryto produce the product. For 100 pieces it looks like the costwill be in the $75 range per lens after I factor in Customs duties shipping and tooling. 200 pieces will get about a $10 break on the total. Obviously the more I buy the cheaper the individual cost. Unfortunately there are only a limited number of these critter floating around so I think I am limited to 100-200. If I get enough interest It may be worthwhile or if someone else wants to partner I am open to that option.
Michael J.

[mary and bob]

Will they be available in solid red ??

[Donna D.]

Wow, this sounds like a huge financial investment to me. I don't think there are 100 U-haul owners on the forums between here and at the UHaulForum. I wish you well, I truly do.

[Pam Garlow]

Mike, thanks for checking into this. Would be nice to have a supplier for these babies. I'd like a pair of standard (red/amber) taillights, but at this price, I want to make sure its a reputable fabricator with quality products. Have you checked out other work that they do?

[mary and bob]

If anyone happened to watch an episode of American Restoration on the History Channel where they were restoring some old motor scooter, they needed to make a new tail light lens. They used the old one to make a mold, poured in some liquid plastic (don't know where that came from or how) and next thing you know they had a nice new lens. I'm sure it's not as simple as they made it look. Seems to me a solid red lens would be easier to make.

[keekers]

Michael, I would be interested in red/amber set. That would be great "Bling" for my girl.

Donna, I know we come and go, but over the past two years I have listed 129 owners and I did not go back further than that. That's a good percentage if only about 2200 were made.

[Kevin A]

We have been waiting for the previous poster who has been experimenting with making lenses. No word for several months now. His price per set was about the same ($150 for two). I would like a set from your source if you think it is a well built lens. Either red/amber or all red is fine with us, but red/amber is preferred. Would you like us to send you the money pre-manufacture?

By the way, if I read this correctly, you need 50 orders to make the 100 units, right?

[Marty D]

Michael,
I'd be interested in a set...red/amber or solid red. I won't be picky about it. I'm afraid to take mine off for fear that they will fall apart. I only hope that I don't blow a bulb. I did buy some of the metal ones, but will only use as a last resort. Too ugly!

Marty D

[mmeyer]

Originally Posted by mary and bob

Will they be available in solid red ??

Not unless I can sell a hundred of them, figured the original would be more popular

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Wow, this sounds like a huge financial investment to me. I don't think there are 100 U-haul owners on the forums between here and at the UHaulForum. I wish you well, I truly do.

Yep

Originally Posted by Pam Garlow

Mike, thanks for checking into this. Would be nice to have a supplier for these babies. I'd like a pair of standard (red/amber) taillights, but at this price, I want to make sure its a reputable fabricator with quality products. Have you checked out other work that they do?

seem to be a big outfit Manufacturers Automotive Lights | Exporters Automotive Lights | Automotive Lighting Equipments India | Two Wheeler Lights India| Led Auto Lights

Originally Posted by Kevin A

We have been waiting for the previous poster who has been experimenting with making lenses. No word for several months now. His price per set was about the same ($150 for two). I would like a set from your source if you think it is a well built lens. Either red/amber or all red is fine with us, but red/amber is preferred. Would you like us to send you the money pre-manufacture?Not ready to pull the trigger just yet

By the way, if I read this correctly, you need 50 orders to make the 100 units, right?

not necessarly some may want only 1


There is one other option. Take a look at the old Sprinter Taillights on American Pickers. The problem is the curvature of the lens and the $50 for a used one. size is within a quarter of an inch both ways and you have to cut it apart heat it to bend and then drill the holes but it looks possible. I think I will also have to have a gasket rehab also to be viable.

[luvrOlife]

Originally Posted by mmeyer

I have been in contact with a tail light manufacturer who can reproduce the Tail light lens. It will not say UHaul on it. I am looking to judge the amount of interest there might be before investing in the tooling necessaryto produce the product. For 100 pieces it looks like the costwill be in the $75 range per lens after I factor in Customs duties shipping and tooling. 200 pieces will get about a $10 break on the total. Obviously the more I buy the cheaper the individual cost. Unfortunately there are only a limited number of these critter floating around so I think I am limited to 100-200. If I get enough interest It may be worthwhile or if someone else wants to partner I am open to that option.
Michael J.

Michael, I'm interested in purchasing a set if they're a true reproduction of the original lens. I also want the rubber gasket if they can mfg those.

Thanks for looking into this!

[Bill Peddie]

Michael, I have a CT 13, and I would be very interested. Yours, Bill and Sue

[mmeyer]

Attached is a photo of the tail lens made by one of the members here. Higginra purchased and installed it. I think it looks pretty good. As such I have decided not to pursue the effort of importing reproduction lenses. I will explore the gasket modification repair as it appears to be a more viable option.
Michael J.

[mary and bob]

I must have missed that one, what exactly did he do to make that lens.

[CindyL]

My cousin spoke with 3D printer users who said that 3D printers can manufacture a copy of the taillight.

CindyL

[mmeyer]

Originally Posted by mary and bob

I must have missed that one, what exactly did he do to make that lens.

poured plastic resin/ The seem to be somewhat thicker but look just fine. my only issue would be exposure to UV light.
i am going to try the Sprinter tail light option first