LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

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LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

February 10, 2015, 04:42:25 pm

I just received some LED Tail Lights that I purchased from eBay. Unfortunately, the description didn't include any pictures of the back of the fixtures or really any detail at all. I had thought that the tail lights for the early unicoaches were from a 95' E-150 Econoline Van. I learned, much to my chagrin, that the correct light fixtures were from 1993 Econolines and the difference is that the 93's feature separate amber turn signals whereas, the 95' and up models combined the turn signals and brake lights. So, without some change to the wiring of our coach turn signals, these won't work... though they fit the opening perfectly. I prefer the turn signals being separate, as I think it enhances visibility, but my searches aren't coming up with an LED assembly that will be a plug and play replacement. Not to mention, I hate to return stuff

So, I know John H. replaced his tail lights on a 2000, which are the same as our coach, but I am not sure whether he did any rewiring or not. What have others discovered? Sure, I know... a 1600 mile trip to Xtreme for the deluxe LED conversion

Okay, short of that... any ideas? Speaking of rewiring, what would one do if the decision was made to rewire for combined turn signal and brakes? Just take the hot from the turn signal and splice it into the hot of the brake light side of the LED's? Does that affect the towed (we have separate turn and brake lights on the fit and so it is wired without a converter).
Thanks, Don

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #1 – February 10, 2015, 05:00:51 pm

Quote from: acousticart – February 10, 2015, 04:42:25 pm

Speaking of rewiring, what would one do if the decision was made to rewire for combined turn signal and brakes? Just take the hot from the turn signal and splice it into the hot of the brake light side of the LED's?
Thanks, Don

Don,
This won't work as there isn't a diode system to separate the 2 signals. I talked to John about his but don't remember what he did, he will chime in though.
You can rewire from the converter box that is already there for your trailer plug.
Pamela & Mike

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #2 – February 10, 2015, 05:15:46 pm

Thanks for the reply... we don't have the converter box on ours because I took it out and wired Direct because our toad has separate turn signal lights and I just wanted to keep it that way. I was talking about rewiring the coach taillights to use the new LED fixture, not rewiring the toad brake lights system. I am not sure, but it sounds like you were talking about changing the toad wiring... or maybe you're talking about using the converter box to consolidate the stop and turn signal lights on the coach taillights? Interesting thought... I am pretty sure I still have it somewhere.
Don

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – February 10, 2015, 05:00:51 pm

Don,
This won't work as there isn't a diode system to separate the 2 signals. I talked to John about his but don't remember what he did, he will chime in though.
You can rewire from the converter box that is already there for your trailer plug.
Pamela & Mike

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #3 – February 10, 2015, 05:22:53 pm

Don,

I used these from Amazon
Backup lights
Amazon.com: QuickFitLED (2 Pieces) Pair Direct Fit 54-SMD LED Car White...

Tail/Brake and Turn
Amazon.com: cutequeen trading A Pair of Brand New High Power Super White...

These seemed to work fine. There is a right and a wrong way to put them in. The wrong way, they don't work, the right way they do. As long as you have at least one incandescent bulb (front turns) then you will not have to change flashers. All LED then you do. I believe these turn signal bulbs are the ones I put in the side turn signals as well. These make a big difference. They are very bright and snap on. I found LED bulbs for all of the clearance lights as well. If you do these, use white bulbs. Some dimwit on Amazon insists you have to use red bulbs behind red lenses and yellow behind yellow. White bulbs.

Amazon.com: Zone Tech 10x 194 168 2825 5-smd White High Power SUPER BRIGHT...

I ordered some different backup lights that should have fit but there was something about the base that kept them from seating properly.

Rance wired my new LED backup lights to turn on the rear side docking lights. What a difference. I think there may have been a diode involved to keep the front docking lights from coming on.

LED Turn (yellow) and Brake/Tail (red) and backup (white) look clear. He added a pair of red LEd Tail/Brake/Turn up high for visibility (my idea) these are wired into the tow wiring where I don't have the yellow turn signals. To get two colors up there I would have used four lights. Stainless steel mounts, very bright LED fixture. Parts were about $30! Cutting the holes and wiring by Rance, priceless!

Roger

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Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #4 – February 10, 2015, 05:25:13 pm

I didn't make it clear but you figured it out. You could come off the toad side of your converter with your wires and split them to go to each side. If you still have the one you took off just reinstall it, as it won't know whether it is supplying juice to your toad or the coach tail lights

Pamela & Mike

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #5 – February 10, 2015, 07:49:49 pm

I bought replacement LED bulbs over two years ago but decided to wait to put them in until the old bulbs wore out. Of course, the old bulbs just keep on going. Buying LED bubs are good insurance, just like the new backup camera system and the new water pump I have in the bay for backup. Been carrying those for four years now.

BUY AND KEEP REPLACEMENT PARTS TO INSURE THE OLD PARTS LAST FOREVER!!!

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #6 – February 10, 2015, 09:46:59 pm

Kent:

I know what you mean so I am taking the other side- not buying parts until I need them. Being full time in our 36 ft coach it seems smarter ( until the water pump goes out,etc.....). Maybe I will have your luck and the old one will keep on pumping...........

Cya down the road

Ted

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #7 – February 11, 2015, 01:05:25 am

Thanks for the input Roger. I am considering adding a separate round led turn signal above the stock location, though not up high like yours. Just trying to decide on how a round fixture (or maybe two) would look with the existing rounded rectangle (though not the original incandescent fixture). The front turn lights are LED's done as part of our headlight upgrade from Xtreme. Still thinking... I just need to decide before my return window disappears.
Don

Quote from: Home2fromHastings – February 10, 2015, 05:22:53 pm

Don,

Rance wired my new LED backup lights to turn on the rear side docking lights. What a difference. I think there may have been a diode involved to keep the front docking lights from coming on.

LED Turn (yellow) and Brake/Tail (red) and backup (white) look clear. He added a pair of red LEd Tail/Brake/Turn up high for visibility (my idea) these are wired into the tow wiring where I don't have the yellow turn signals. To get two colors up there I would have used four lights. Stainless steel mounts, very bright LED fixture. Parts were about $30! Cutting the holes and wiring by Rance, priceless!

Roger

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #8 – February 11, 2015, 09:52:41 am

Hi Don,

Rance puts in the backup lights in a hole cut through the fiberglass. They are glued in place with structural polyurethane adhesive so that they are flush to the surface. We talked about doing the same on the high lights. The other options are a rubber grommet that the lamp snaps into with or without a chrome plastic trim ring or these stainless steel mounts. They have a flat flange on a closed hemisphere backside. These seemed to be the most durable and most maintainable option to me.

There are square and rectangular lights as well like they use on emergency vehicles.

The top of our jeep is above the existing lights. I wanted that guy a 1/4 mile back to know what I was going to do. I started at as high as I could reach and then worked around existing paint. They checked to see if there was a max height for lights before cutting holes, there was not. Lots of options for this idea. It just depends on how much you want to spend on fiberglass work. That adds up very fast.

Roger

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #9 – February 11, 2015, 10:17:40 am

Brought some 90 mm red round cob leds on ebay, glued them on the top of the
standard etreme led turn signals, can be used with either brake or running light circuit.
very bright and much more visible off axis.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #10 – February 11, 2015, 10:45:55 am

Thanks for the info about the lights. I can't help with the problem, but I am glad to know that not all of the Ford van tail lights are the same as I thought they were. I would like to replace the driver side one, water got in the back up light section.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #11 – February 11, 2015, 11:17:30 am

I installed the LED lights designed for the E-Series vans and used an amber bulb in the backup position to serve as a turn signal. I believe the amber rear turn signal function is superior and so I wanted to preserve it.

I mounted a pair of Whelen "Perimeter Enhancement" lights Perimeter Enhancement Light - Whelen Engineering Automotive above the engine hatch to serve as backup lights. They aren't inexpensive but they do an outstanding job and it's worth it (at least to me) when needed.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #12 – June 08, 2015, 01:34:05 pm

Quote from: Home2fromHastings – February 10, 2015, 05:22:53 pm

I used these from Amazon
Backup lights
Amazon.com: QuickFitLED (2 Pieces) Pair Direct Fit 54-SMD LED Car White...

Tail/Brake and Turn
Amazon.com: cutequeen trading A Pair of Brand New High Power Super White...
quote]
Roger,

These two lights look quite similar in appearance and LED type. Is there a significant difference between them?

The picture of your RV showed a bunch of round lights in the back. In fact, they look like the type that already have LEDs in them. Did you use the two you referenced from Amazon with these, or are the round ones a newer project?

Thanks,

Trent

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Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #13 – June 08, 2015, 02:01:56 pm

Trent, I had a taillight conversion done at Xtreme in Jan, 2015. The bulbs from Amazon fit into my existing tail light assemblies. Worked great. They look like they can go in either way but one way they don't work. The other way they work. +/- sort of thing.

Roger

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #14 – June 08, 2015, 05:57:59 pm

A note on backup lights. I bought some LED replacements for my backup bulbs. They claimed to be much brighter. We were not nearly as bright, and the first time backing up. I backed into a chain link fence I should have seen. I have since replaced them with high brightness halogen lamps. The backup lights are so seldom on, I opted for brightness over longevity and low power.

You cannot have too much light when backing up at night.

Here is the eBay title: Nokya 3156 3356 Hyper White Bulb x2pcs NOK6211 27w Replacement OE Fit Lamps D4

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #15 – June 08, 2015, 06:52:26 pm

Rance wired my rear docking lights to come on with the backup lights. Or you could just turn them on.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #16 – June 08, 2015, 07:09:18 pm

My docking lights project nicely to the side, no so to the rear. I had them all on when the fence jumped out to bite my coach's rear.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #17 – June 09, 2015, 09:21:36 am

Quote from: Tom Lang – June 08, 2015, 07:09:18 pm

My docking lights project nicely to the side, no so to the rear. I had them all on when the fence jumped out to bite my coach's rear.

I have the same side facing docking lights, yet many coaches have lights that are angled rearward. I was going to make a thread about this. The SIDE FACING lights are useless for backing up....what is the point of them? I don't need to see things that are 50 feet directly to my right/left.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #18 – June 09, 2015, 12:29:07 pm

Quote from: krush – June 09, 2015, 09:21:36 am

I have the same side facing docking lights, yet many coaches have lights that are angled rearward. I was going to make a thread about this. The SIDE FACING lights are useless for backing up....what is the point of them? I don't need to see things that are 50 feet directly to my right/left.

What?!?! Your coach didn't come with bow and stern thrusters for parallel parking? That must be the reason for the "docking" lights.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #19 – June 09, 2015, 02:46:06 pm

AR111 G53 14W 7 2W Warm Pure White LED Ceiling Lamp Spotlight AC DC 12V Yuus...

Installed 6 of above in docking and backup light sockets, much brighter, more coverage, and lot
less current draw. Also wired backups into docking circuit, flip two switches and have light everywhere.
Pain in the butt to install, but well worth it.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #20 – June 09, 2015, 05:05:19 pm

Tom, FT went to a different docking light in 2002. On my 2001 the docking lights with the backup lights seem to light up the area pretty well. If I cannot see what is behind me I don't back up. Sorry the fence got in the way. Roger

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #21 – June 09, 2015, 05:44:40 pm

Wow, never thought about you poor guys with the side docking lights pointing straight out.
I just completed checking our old slanted to the rear docking lights, our backup lights in the old Isuzu tail light assemblies (pass side backup bulb #1073 was bad), and the two added sealed beam backup lights under the bumper and above & behind the stone guard. The passenger sealed beam ground wire had broken off and I replaced it with heavier wire. Now we have four backup lights and a very loud beeper that goes off when the tranny is in reverse. The side docking lights are controlled with side labeled switches. Now, if only there was a way to know when I am backing into something that might get the roof. I , and the DW, forget to look up sometimes at night.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #22 – June 09, 2015, 06:31:32 pm

The only time I use our docking lights is to assist neighbors backing into the adjacent campsite on either side. Otherwise they are too bright/annoying for anything else.

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #23 – June 09, 2015, 08:40:20 pm

Left side dock life's work great when you have a clown that wants to run beside me for mile after mile at night, the dock lights get hm off dead center. Might make him wee wee a bit

Re: LED Tail Lights for 1995 to 2001 Unicoaches

Reply #24 – June 09, 2015, 09:34:31 pm

Built a lot of coaches with driving lights mounted on the top of the rear roof edge. Illegal to have rear facing lights able to be manually switched from the drivers seat without being in reverse.

Don't tell anyone....

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