When I was researching this project a few years back, I never seemed to determine a configuration of cost effective LEDs for the various designs I had in mind.

Other "Barth Projects" and repairs would surface and available CASH seems to always be an issue.

I am at work, sitting in the front of an ambulance, so I'm not in a very good position to post a bunch of information at this point.

I think I am going to attempt this within the next few months, but would love to know what anyone else has come-up-with regarding converting their stock tail-light assemblies to an LED configuration.

I have looked-at many different products from:

Peterson
SuperBrightLEDs.com
VehicleLight.com
TruckLite.com

...and possibly a few others.

My latest idea is to go-with the 3 x 5 RT Series from SuperBrightLEDs. The cost seems to be reasonable and they carry RED - AMBER - WHITE in the 3 x 5 grommet mount version [24 LEDs per light] in a RED-AMBER-RED-WHITE configuration on both sides. They carry the grommets and pig-tails as well.

I would mount these on an approximate 6" x 27", machined,polished aluminum bezel which has the 4-per-side cut-outs and mounted with 10 screws [5 per side], spaced on the edges between the lights.

The rough openings on the rear of the coach would need to be elongated, but the width should be good as-is. Some of the rivets would need to be removed around the engine compartment door frame, but the screws would replace them, just as the current Monarch Bezel is designed.

Wiring should be a snap, with individual RED [running and stop x4], AMBER [turn / emergency x2], and WHITE [reverse / utility x2]. Having the bezel machined is the only hard part for me, as I have no idea what I am doing.

I have not completed the lay-out, to scale, on paper as of yet [which is the next step] and I think I have found a guy who can supply the stock and has the equipment to machine the bezels.

LEDs, grommets and pig-tails would come-to just under $200.00 with shipping and not certain what I would be charged to manufacture the bezels, as the "guy" just does this stuff as a hobby on the side.

That's where I am with this project. After considering several styles of LEDs and different configurations, I like the 3 x 5 rectangles the best, as it compliments the square and rectangular shapes of the rest of the vehicle and somewhat reflects some of the stuff I'm seeing on many different buses.

Would love to know what others are doing, are considering or have done B-4 I go too crazy on my current idea...

Here is the final version that I did with the tail lights, this is a .doc file and should open by just clicking on it.

LED tail lights

Here is a link to the picture group of what the LED tail lights look like.

LED

and finally a picture:



Overall I an quite happy with the results and kept the OEM look, (unusual for me!) I will be making a mod to the LED assembly to increase the brightness later this summer.

Ed,
Thank you for what has to be one of the best postings ever. You provided detailed instructions with pictures!

I'm in a slightly different position. The actual frame is subcumbing to 25 years of sun and weather. It looks like I'll need to design and then have machined a new frame. Someone on this sight suggested aluminum and then having it annodized black. That seems like the current plan.

If someone has found a full assembly, direct replacement, please chime in. If someone else has had a set made, please chime in. Perhaps, I can learn from that experience or borrow from that experience.

I'll post a file before having one machined.