Been thinking about my conversion project of the Isuzu taillights on our '88 to '94 GV coaches. I keep thinking of those owners who might be unable to do the conversion or not have the time or resources.
Is there even a market and what would be a fair price considering how labor intensive and must include shipping of the lights to be converted and return shipping of converted lights? New, redone units would come equipped with LEDs.
I'd be interested. I found a new/old stock tail light for my coach a few years ago and it was $200.00. I may be wrong but I thought it was a Ford Bronco light...
Nitehawk I think interest would probably be high if a spare set could be found.
Hot swapping so no down time would be awesome.
Not sure if a "core" charge would be needed but it shouldn't be ruled it out.
The ability to buy 1984 thru 1987 Isuzu Impulse taillights is pretty much no longer even possible. Would almost any salvage yard keep a foreign vehicle or parts for one that old and not that much in demand? I don't think so. That is why it is a lot better to upgrade the deteriorated printed circuits currently in most 1988 thru 1994 GV coaches.
I searched the internet for those taillights and didn't have any luck. Even if you do find a set the price would be as steep as buying an updated set. What would be the condition of the set you might buy? Setting somewhere deteriorating? Seems like you would be buying the same problem you currently have.
Core charge? I would think it would be practical and should be reasonable.
Unfortunate cost is the shipping but that would still be cheaper than a couple of tickets or a rear ender accident. And the new assemblies would come equipped with LEDs so all that is involved is remove the protective cover on each assembly (2 screws) in the engine compartment. Snap out the old assembly. Unplug the wiring connector. Plug the wiring connector in to the new assembly, snap in the new lights, and then reassemble the cover and two screws. Done!! Never again a wiring failure.
Keep the old bulbs in case a LED fails during your ownership.
Oh, by the way. Come spring I will have a "spare" set already converted. I bought a set about six years ago when my original set in the coach failed. So I have a "spare" set and I will be converting the set that is in the coach 30 miles away. So, the entire conversion comes down to shipping costs, converted taillights cost, and a core charge.
In other words a buyer would send two checks for those three items. I would then send the new set. They would swap out the assemblies and turn around and ship the old set to me. Once the old set arrived I would destroy the core charge check.
Too simple?Anybody got a better way?
Sorry, Craneman. Our coaches come equipped with 1984 thru 1987 Isuzu Impulse taillights and that one is a '88/'89
Nitehawk I'm interested.
Price?
I removed the reply after checking an image on Beam Alarm
I fully support Nitehawk's ambition to become a supplier of rebuilt tail light assemblies for early GV's. He first mentioned this idea 4 years ago in a response to one of my threads. See post #10 in the thread linked below. I am glad he has been able to pursue this goal by building a prototype. I look forward to seeing a demonstration (Youtube video?) of the working model.
I am fortunate that our OEM tail lights are still in relatively good condition. However, I fully realize that should we ever suffer damage to a tail light, or have one simply disintegrate from age, then we will be S.O.L. Replacements are presently unobtainable, and that's all there is to it.
I hope Nitehawk is able to work out the logistics and set a reasonable price that fairly compensates him for his skill and labor. I firmly believe that every owner (who intends to hang on to their coach) of a early GV should encourage him to bring this product to market. b^.^d
GV Tail Lights, How To Guide (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=26984)
Consider my quandary. Without a quick return of the old taillight assemblies I would not be able to help someone else out and my "cottage industry" would wither and die. Not that I would mind. I am only considering doing this to help out others and to stave off my cabin fever. Being cooped up for the winter plus being handicapped by this hip replacement I need a diversion that I can do here in my office.
I only embarked on this process in order to solve my own frustration but then, after searching, I realized there are a lot of the coaches out there that might be needing this upgrade sometime in the future.
These printed circuits on plastic won't last forever.
Nighthawk, do you have a printed circuit board out where you can look at it? Go over it looking on both sides the manufacture should be printed on the board. Find that and start asking what it would take to repo them. The lens has a series of numbers that identify the maker of them.
Nancy, I looked but you can have a go at it. Manufacturer is Koito and the boards part numbers are 220-21340R and 220-21340L.
Don't now about the lens because I don't need them.
Also, someone asked why or can I convert to a flat four connector.
I don't want to even think anymore about that. The flat four has three wires and a ground wire.
one wire=left turn and brakelight
one wire= running light
one wire=right turn and brake light
one wire=ground
Now, here is the wiring on our coach and the Isuzu taillights--five wires
one wire=turn (right or left, not both, depends on which side you are working on)
one wire=backup light
one wire=brake light
one wire=running light
(brake and running lights are two function setup)
one wire=ground (this is necessary because housing is plastic)
Good luck if interested in trying to do it yourself. I won't!!
Norm,
My suggestion when you have the extra converted pair available it to post them for sale (with core return) in the Classified Section. Price it "plus shipping" so the buyer can determine how quickly (vs inexpensively) they want them.
That would help you "test the market".
Thanks Brett. I am still thinking my way around how I can reduce component costs and labor without affecting quality. I know that I would want a reliable and durable replacement for the old lights.
But, do I charge a core charge up front? If owner has time, like they are stationary for a couple weeks they could just send their old lights to be upgraded, so no core charge?
Norm,
Like RedHead does with their blueprinted steering boxes, offer them "either way". So, yes they could send in theirs OR could have you sent them a rebuilt set with core charge. And, yes, you would have the option if a long-time ForeForum friend to wave the core charge and just trust them.
I applaud this thing you are doing for all of us blessed/cursed with the upside down Isuzu taillights. When you figure a price I'll send you my spare set. ? Are you setting up for led's ? Mick
I have also been working on a replacement setup for these Isuzu assembly's. When I get the first one complete Ill post pictures. If enough interest I'll look at having some assembly's made. This will be a entire replacement assembly that will fit and replace as stock. Using easily replaceable sealed LED lamps stay tuned...
I just tallied up all my costs. This included the LED lights, new sockets, rivets, backing washers, shrink tubing (for insulation), wiring, and a tube of (what else?) Shoe Goo for holding the wires so flexing doesn't occur.
Now I know why the DW asked me what I was building. :))
My costs -to get everything for the first conversion setup of both taillights came to just under $60, and this did not including shipping.
This comes out to around $30 per taillight for materials.
Labor? I would have to "guestimate" because I didn't keep track, and I worked on the conversion slowly as the components were delivered.
Now do you see my problem? In order to keep the price down I cannot see marking the purchased components up. My goal was to be able to have a reasonably priced product/source for those whose taillights failed or are failing.
AND shipping cost both ways still has to be added in!!
Shipping costs are beyond your control. Depends on where the customer lives (how far from you) and how fast they want it.
(Be sure you include "handling charges" in your shipping cost (time and materials required to
safely pack the lights in a box for shipment)
You certainly don't want to
lose money on the total cost of your materials, so not much room there for adjustment.
The only real variable cost factor is your time and labor. Up to you to decide what you would
like to be paid per hour.
Supply and demand will ultimately determine the fair market value of your product.
I think I saw where someone posted they could buy a taillight for $80 (plus shipping?)
So, could I sell a much upgraded version for $100 each (plus shipping) if the buyer supplied the old taillight bases?
Turnaround would be only what shipping times dictate because I would most likely have my "spare" set ready to go out.
This would enable a buyer that is staying put for a week or so to be able to get his updated lights within that week.
If there ever
was a (single) good, un-cracked, un-faded, totally functional Isuzu tail light assembly available for $80...I bet it's gone now.
Brett suggested (above) that you try a "trial" fixed price sale in our Forum Classifieds to test the waters. That would be one way...
OR, you could conduct a little informal "auction" among the members of this Forum. I don't think that would violate any Forum rules. You could offer to sell your first set of lights to the highest bidder. Set a reasonable time limit for accepting bids, so the infrequent visitors to the Forum have a chance to hear about the offering. If you wish, set your reserve price at $100 (or whatever you think is fair). I personally feel a pair of refurbished tail lights would be worth more than $100, but that's only my opinion. Like I said, let the free market (Supply & Demand) tell you what your product is really worth.
http://used-auto-parts.net/cgi-bin/search.cgi?userSearch=int&userPID=1036&userLocation=All+States&userIMS=&userInterchange=BE%3DE%3E_&userSide=&userDate=1985&userDate2=1985&dbModel=35.5.1.1&userModel=Isuzu%20Impulse&dbPart=166.1&userPart=Tail%20Light&sessionID=200000000000000001293243408&userPreference=grade&userIntSelect=1219383&userUID=0&userBroker=&iKey=&userPage=1
Doug,
I (personally) would be reluctant to purchase any of those tail light assemblies (from a recycling yard) without a hands-on inspection...
But that's just me. Some of them might be in very good condition.
Doug, what search did you use to get to this site? Could be useful to me on other vehicles I have.
Good!! Now that there are sources I won't bother. I will just keep my spare set for me until someone comes around that is sick and tired of their lights failing.
Not sour grapes but really not wanting the complications. That is why I posted the sketch showing how the wiring has to be done and I showed in my pictures how to fasten the 1156 and 1157 sockets.
Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market (http://used-auto-parts.net/)
Chuck, I might have been lucky but when I replaced my tail light circuit boards in my U280 years ago this is where I found a good pair. When mounted in the Isuzu Impulse they aren't exposed to the elements as they are on the GrandVillas.