08-10-2020, 09:31 AM
Gurus,
Many of us have mid 90s to early 2000 coaches that have a matrix of 6 rectangular lights tail lights on each side. Although incandescent versions of the lights are still available…they are not very bright. LED versions of these lights were available for a long time on ebay…but that is no longer the case.
To solve the problem, another guru @"dannymarilyn" Danny fabbed up some plates that would allow the use of truck LEDs within the existing bezel. Here is his post.
I decided that I wanted to make an entirely new bezel. My design goals were to keep the “Newell” look while being a bit more modern. I wanted to make sure that folks can see my turn signals and I wanted do something so that I can see to back up at night.
I ordered samples from all the truck light vendors as well as a few from firetruck and ambulance vendors. In the end, I decided that Bargman had the best price / performance.
Since the bezel was the same size as the original but the lights were slightly smaller so it gave me an idea. What if I use the perimeter lights from the 2020 Newell coaches as a backup light? Well that is exactly what I did. The trapezoid Whelen Perimeter Light in the pictures below are used on brand new Newells. They are frightfully expensive…but also terribly cool.
Here is the final design for the bezel. (Of course you can put the yellow and red bulbs where you prefer).
So how did I get the bezels made? I created an Adobe Illustrator file and sent to a place in Reno, Nevada (SendCutSend.com) for laser cutting. They can supply a variety materials but I choose .125" aluminum. They cost about $50 per side.
Richard volunteered to be a guinea pig for the first set. He painted his to match his coach. They look great!
I elected to get mine powder coated in black to match my coach.
Both turned out really well.
Let me know, and I will send you the AI file. Feel free to modify it to suit your own preferences.
All in all this was a fun project. Not a cheap one (especially with the backup lights)…but I think it is a good investment for safety. Richard tells me that folks seem to be much more quick about getting out of his way when he changes lanes.
Many of us have mid 90s to early 2000 coaches that have a matrix of 6 rectangular lights tail lights on each side. Although incandescent versions of the lights are still available…they are not very bright. LED versions of these lights were available for a long time on ebay…but that is no longer the case.
To solve the problem, another guru @"dannymarilyn" Danny fabbed up some plates that would allow the use of truck LEDs within the existing bezel. Here is his post.
I decided that I wanted to make an entirely new bezel. My design goals were to keep the “Newell” look while being a bit more modern. I wanted to make sure that folks can see my turn signals and I wanted do something so that I can see to back up at night.
I ordered samples from all the truck light vendors as well as a few from firetruck and ambulance vendors. In the end, I decided that Bargman had the best price / performance.
Since the bezel was the same size as the original but the lights were slightly smaller so it gave me an idea. What if I use the perimeter lights from the 2020 Newell coaches as a backup light? Well that is exactly what I did. The trapezoid Whelen Perimeter Light in the pictures below are used on brand new Newells. They are frightfully expensive…but also terribly cool.
Here is the final design for the bezel. (Of course you can put the yellow and red bulbs where you prefer).
So how did I get the bezels made? I created an Adobe Illustrator file and sent to a place in Reno, Nevada (SendCutSend.com) for laser cutting. They can supply a variety materials but I choose .125" aluminum. They cost about $50 per side.
Richard volunteered to be a guinea pig for the first set. He painted his to match his coach. They look great!
I elected to get mine powder coated in black to match my coach.
Both turned out really well.
Let me know, and I will send you the AI file. Feel free to modify it to suit your own preferences.
All in all this was a fun project. Not a cheap one (especially with the backup lights)…but I think it is a good investment for safety. Richard tells me that folks seem to be much more quick about getting out of his way when he changes lanes.
Bill Johnson
Birmingham, Alabama