Hi everyone! I just wanted to touch back on the compatability of the tail-Lights and the back-Up lights... I want to replace my back-Up lights with brake and signal lights. I read here that they are different? I did stare at them for a few minutes and the physical size looks the same. Maybe just the mounting holes are different? I'm going to try and swap them out, either by changing the lens, or might use the old back-up light mounts and try and remove the lenses off the new tail-lights... I should be getting the lights any day, I'll keep you guys and gals posted and If all goes well post a few pictures...

 

That would be great..... Keep us posted.......

 

Take it to Camping World. They install alot of tow bars and should be familiar with what you are trying to do. Plus if they install it they will stand behind it nation wide.

 

I personally looked into this when I tinted my 'reverse' lens'. It's not possible to swap (easily- IMO) UNLESS someone produces an all red (with no white) reverse lens. If you come up with a different solution/conclusion- please advise.

 

Well after a lot of brain-work on this here Is where I stand.... The back-up lights are smaller... Not the actual lense.. the lenses are the same size... Its the housing that is bigger on the Stop-Tail lights.... I did try to install a Tail-Light housing into the back-up light housing but It wouldn't fit. I am going to have to "CUT" the metal away so that the housing will fit... I really didn't want to have to do this, but its the only way!! So since the foam strip around the lens is the same size I'll have to cut the metal just enough to get them in... The mounts are also different for the back-up lights, so I purchased 2 additional tail-light mounts... As long as the foam seal rests against the body i think It will work out fine.... Pictures as soon as I get them in!!!! And boy will I be glad , never thought I would try this!!

Anthony.....

 

What are you going to do about backup lights? It is illegal to drive a car without them if it came from the factory supplied that way.

 

Well I don't really know if they are "Law".. Guess they are since all auto's have them.. I have purchased 2 oval led lights that I am going to install on the bumper over the red reflectors that are there... I'll wire them up to the old back-up light harness... Gee seems like one change after another!!!

Anthony

 

Anthony...
The thought I had (if I could swap the OEM reverse lights for another set of brake lights) was to get 2 White LED BOLTS (the LED lives in the middle of the bolt), wire them to the reverse lights harness, and use them to mount my license plate. Only thing you need to worry about is if the LED bolts have a resistor in-line that's compatible with a 12V system (most do!).
Just a thought...

 

That sounds like an interesting Idea.... I'm going to have to cut a 4 1/2 inch hole for the tail-light s to fit... The actual lens is identical, its the housing on the light that is bigger on the tail-light. They also seem to be a little egg shaped.... But where the light contacts the body is identical... It has a foam ring around the lens.. So really its just the body cutout that has to be modified... I'm going to try with a dremel tool and a diamond cutting bit. I made a template of the tail-brake light and will cut some metal out... It seemed to me there was a lip on the back-up lights that weren't on the tail light holes... so maybe It might go easy and maybe not!!!

Anthony, I'll keep you guys posted on what happens, I'm currently making a lower grill out of a stock grill...

 

Just brainstorming here...is it possible to put a red bulb (regular or LED) in the reverse socket and wire it as your trailer brake? It would look white until lit and then red.

Another idea, super cheap, buy some of that red tail light lense repair tape at an auto parts store and trim it to cover the white lens.

Cutting the sheetmetal sounds so, well, severe.