Tail Light Replacement

[WillyBigfoot]

Hi all. So I recently sorted out all the lights on my 1979 Bigfoot. The tail lights work great now, signals, brakes and all, as well I replaced all the marker lights and they work and look great! The tail lights seem to be original, although they work I was thinking of replacing the whole assembly anyway then all my lights are new. The issue is they measure 4.5"x8.5" and I can't seem to find a replacement that size. I was thinking I could just buy the smaller ones at Princess Auto or some on Amazon but thought id post for any suggestions or advice!! Thanks in advance!

[Joe MacDonald]

there should be a DOT number on the lens, try googling that, if they work good, and the sockets are good, I would say keep them.
Many here have replaced the guts inside the taillight with some type of led, ranging from an LED bulb, to a different led light in the same enclosure... options are endless

at the risk of being controversial, if keeping original, take the bulb out, coat the brass part and the contacts with dielectric grease, and put them back in, this will stop the sockets from corroding, and the spring pressure will displace enough grease for a good contact

Joe

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by Joe MacDonald

there should be a DOT number on the lens, try googling that, if they work good, and the sockets are good, I would say keep them.
Many here have replaced the guts inside the taillight with some type of led, ranging from an LED bulb, to a different led light in the same enclosure... options are endless

at the risk of being controversial, if keeping original, take the bulb out, coat the brass part and the contacts with dielectric grease, and put them back in, this will stop the sockets from corroding, and the spring pressure will displace enough grease for a good contact

Joe

Awesome thanks Joe! I will check the DOT number. They seem to work fine so maybe I can just keep them and clean up etc. There is just a lot of corrosion etc and not the best contact with the bulbs. And the wiring is pretty old and the connections look sketchy. Even stripping back the wire and reconnecting may help. I’ll take it all apart and see what happens !

[WillyBigfoot]

Hey I was able to find some using the DOT number. Thanks again!

[CharlesinGA]

Those are Bargman series 84 lights. Do you need new mounting bases or just the lenses?

The lenses can be found on Amazon as LED upgrades such as this.........

Basic Bargman taillight and backup light with the base



LED upgrade that just plugs into the bulb socket so no additional rewiring.

LED upgrade



Charles

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by CharlesinGA

Those are Bargman series 84 lights. Do you need new mounting bases or just the lenses?

The lenses can be found on Amazon as LED upgrades such as this.........

Basic Bargman taillight and backup light with the base



LED upgrade that just plugs into the bulb socket so no additional rewiring.

LED upgrade



Charles

Hey thanks ! I actually just received the whole assemblies I ordered on amazon, bases and all using the DOT #. They look pretty good the brand is Peterson. My bases are not bad but thought I'd replace as I replaced every other light on the trailer.

Quick question for everyone tho, they came with the ground wire attached, but no other wires, there's just multiple holes in the back of the base to put the wire in where the stop/signal bulb bracket is on the other side of the base (like the inside of the fixture) . How the heck do I attach my wires to this!!?? Any ideas??

[Joe MacDonald]

got a picture?
or a part number?

Joe

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by Joe MacDonald

got a picture?
or a part number?

Joe

I’ll see if I can upload a pic later. The DOT part no. was 910-950 I believe

[parmm]

DOT 910-950 makes perfect sense. See this post: https://www.etrailer.com/question-289372.html. I got mine from straight from Scamp. Work great and are bright during sunny daytime hours!

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by Joe MacDonald

got a picture?
or a part number?

Joe

Here I’ll try the pics ……

[WillyBigfoot]

I think it worked. So all there is is holes that run to the back of the contacts for the bulb. I’m just not sure how to attach them, there must be some sort of way that they’re designed for? I’ve just never seen this before ! Thanks !

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by parmm

DOT 910-950 makes perfect sense. See this post: https://www.etrailer.com/question-289372.html. I got mine from straight from Scamp. Work great and are bright during sunny daytime hours!

Thanks I saw that thread when I was researching ! It was the 4.5”x8.5” I needed. It took putting the DOT # in to find on Amazon

[Joe MacDonald]

strip the wire, if you know how to solder, tin the ends, push the stripped end through the hole, it will be gripped by the silver tab on the opposite side. not the best, but my marker lights work the same way.

Joe

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by Joe MacDonald

strip the wire, if you know how to solder, tin the ends, push the stripped end through the hole, it will be gripped by the silver tab on the opposite side. not the best, but my marker lights work the same way.

Joe

Ok thanks I’ll try that ! Yes I soldered all my marker lights. I’m not the best at soldering but not bad. So the tab just grips the tinned end ??

[WillyBigfoot]

Originally Posted by Joe MacDonald

strip the wire, if you know how to solder, tin the ends, push the stripped end through the hole, it will be gripped by the silver tab on the opposite side. not the best, but my marker lights work the same way.

Joe

So I got them installed last week. I see how the tabs work now. At first I was skeptical of the design but the tabs actually gripped the wire pretty well. Thanks again !