Vetter trunk lights

[Wrench Twister]

Hi, has anyone out there replaced the four round lights on the Vetter trunks(81ish) for LED's? They are 2 and 5/16 inch diameter. If anyone has which LED's did you use. It's kinda uncool to be cruisin' along with flickering lights cos of the worn out sockets so i would like the swap them out. Thanks in advance. Vic.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Wrench Twister,

I've read and seen photos on here of folks who have done that, don't know where they got them for sure, but this is a good place...I've selected the Truck Lights, scroll down the page you'll find the 2.5" diam. clearance marker lights, but they also have 4" and even 6" SCHOOL BUS size if you want to go big!

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...uck_lights.htm

Because of their very low current draw I would suggest wiring them in series to help provide and keep a good amount of resistance in the line, hooking them up in parallel will actually DROP the resistance.

T.C.

[natemoen]

Others have swapped to the 6" oval led tail lights.

[CatatonicBug]

I rebuilt the stock light fixtures and used 1157 LED bulbs. I removed the fixtures from the trunk and took each one apart and cleaned them. You say yours are "worn out", but unless the plastic is broken, the bulbs actually just make contact with a blob of solder and a spring that you can easily repair/clean. I soldered in new wires and used a 4-port plug from Radio Shack to replace the OEM plug on the trunk. I made a little pigtail that plugged into the bike wiring under the seat, and runs to the trunk plug.



Here is the inside of the trunk, looking at one of the fixtures:

[natemoen]

I will never suggest anyone EVER use those connectors unless it is an absolute last resort emergency! They ruin good sure and open it up for corrosion in the near future. They are just the lazy man's connector, and absolutely the wrong way to join wires!

[CatatonicBug]

I will never suggest anyone EVER use those connectors unless it is an absolute last resort emergency! They ruin good sure and open it up for corrosion in the near future. They are just the lazy man's connector, and absolutely the wrong way to join wires!

I don't see what's wrong with them. Granted, they aren't the best choice for "wet" area connectors, but they are what is supplied by most aftermarket vehicle electronics manufacturers for tapping into existing wiring. You always have the option of dabbing the connection point with delectric grease before crimping them down if you're worried about corrosion.

[natemoen]

I don't see what's wrong with them. Granted, they aren't the best choice for "wet" area connectors, but they are what is supplied by most aftermarket vehicle electronics manufacturers for tapping into existing wiring. You always have the option of dabbing the connection point with delectric grease before crimping them down if you're worried about corrosion.

Just because something us supplied to you, does it mean it is the correct or best option or Is it more likely it is the cheapest solution for the manufacturer to supply that the general know nothing public can handle?

I have spent too much time in my life fixing what people ruin with those connectors. Those connectors are marginal at best, in even the best situation. They will never be used on anything I own!

[jwhughes3]

I soldered in new wires and used a 4-port plug from Radio Shack to replace the OEM plug on the trunk. I made a little pigtail that plugged into the bike wiring under the seat, and runs to the trunk plug.

Bug - I like the idea of adding the plug extension to keep existing wiring intact.

Thanks
John

[CatatonicBug]

Bug - I like the idea of adding the plug extension to keep existing wiring intact.

Thanks
John

That was the whole point of that piece. I wanted to keep it removable if I ever decided to undo the installation. Very few of the changes I make to the bike are permanent, for that reason.