Tail light refurb

OK, I really don't like the plastic replacement tail lights I just put on. What would be involved with refurbishing my old ones? Are replacement lenses available, lamp sockets?

 

I looked for replacement lens' for the OEM tail lights on my 75... I ended up buying an OEM style LED tail light..

 

I think Grote still makes replacements

Andrew

 

You can buy the lenses from Crown or from Grote (or Petersens?). Very easy to source - check any of the Jeep specialty retailers.

The socket can be rebuilt with a new pigtail. It's a standard parts store item ... at least in a larger/better store. Usual supplier is Petersen's. Try an RV store if no luck at the parts store.

 

Yep, that stuff is available like tim said.
Thats what I used.

 

I just did this same thing. The lens is still available, Napa can cross reference the Grote # for you.

For the bolts use 1/4" carriage, they fit perfectly in the little square. A word of warning though, I believe the ground for these lights is normally through the body of the light bucket itself so be certain that the carriage bolts that you use are making metal to metal contact with the bucket...maybe a light tack weld to hold the bolt.

The pigtails are available at any of our local parts stores. I found Oreilly's and Pep Boys seem to have a better electrical section than the others.

 

Found thread with part #s

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?89077-Tail-light-refurb

The Grote Lens is 9034 (Napa equivalent BK6802224)

 

I have been trying to source these lenses for two days now, Napa had the part # still but it showed it as a rectangular lens. They are having them sent in and are going to call me tomorrow. Anyone have a good source for these?

 

Should be able to search Grote 9034 and get a few hits on Google. Grote 471 is the original number I believe.

The Napa number is for a Balkamp lens 6802224 it is the replacement lens for the the light assembly 80322R and 80324R. The shape of the light assembly is square, however, the lens fits in a round depression within that square.

 

Just got off the phone with Grote customer service, the part # is actually 90342 and Napa has them for $3.55 each. Its a trailer tail light lens, looks correct on the website.

 

I have the Grote trailer lights, just bought them a few months back, the lens has only the first 4 digits imprinted on it. Not arguing with Grote since they are the manufacturer...just pointing out a discrepency.

Glad that Napa has them for you.

 

According to NAPA and Grote the old part numbers have obsoleted. Grote customer service said the 90342 lens is 5.175" (pretty close) so I ordered a couple online from Hires Automotive. I'll post up how they work when they come in.

 

FWIW the original housing appears to be a Grote 416.

Refurb question: does the bulb socket just punch out or would I be better off just replaceing the pigtail?
Paint question: was the housing originally black or red, inside/outside?

 

Following images were on my 1972 CJ5 at delivery:

http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad231/72_CJ5_MUD/DSC00603.jpg
http://i939.photobucket.com/albums/ad231/72_CJ5_MUD/DSC0003411.jpg

Yes, If anyone has noticed... both originally installed light assemblies ARE Grote 9078 units! I did take it up with my Jeep dealer after deliveryn 72'... the Jeep actually was assembled with both rear tail-lights being Grote-9078 (drivers side assemblies)... as described, the assembly plant got creative with some black paint... did look nice and professional.

Hope these pictures are of assistance...

Gunner

 

My originals were black outside, black inside. I repainted black outside and white inside thinking it would brighten it up a bit.

The socket was a bear to come out since it's essentially clamped onto the housing. You can find the pigtail with the clamping part at the local parts store. I was able to salvage another set that I have and just fixed the pigtail.

 

IMO there's nothing wrong with the socket that you have. Looks a little rusty, but only the inside needs to be clean metal. Take a bulb and see if it goes in to the bayonet mount in the socket. If it fits, just thread the wires on the pigtail through the hole in the bucket. The pigtail is keyed, and will only fit into the bucket one way. I would put a piece of vacuum hose or fuel hose over the wires, and cover the hose and stub on the bucket with some heat-shrink tubing to seal out water.

 

Good point on the heat-shrink. I bought some large diameter and did just that around the socket stub...it sealed very nicely.

 

I did the same on mine.
Just the tailights alone are very bright.
I prefer them over LEDs bigtime! Especially during daytime.

 

What a great picture.

 

x2 - family heirloom! Worthy of it's own post