Forum Discussion

C350amg's avatar
C350amg
Explorer
Sep 30, 2013

Changing all exterior lights

I am sharing my experience of changing all the exterior lights on my MH.
After 15 years most markers (reds, yellows, sides, mirrors) were affected by time. Housing were cracked or going to, Oxydation in the 3rd brake light, scratches, etc...

And also the 2 front end lights were all yellow and as much as I tried they stayed that way.

Lucky for me there is internet and I found all the markers that way. The front headlights were identified when a Ford Explorer 1998 parked just beside me. Kind of funny because my rig is a GM P30 with Ford headlights :)

Anyway, all my markers were "Grote" and I used their website to identify all the part numbers:

Grote Clearance markers

Then I found The Wrench Monkey (CA & US) which delivered to my house by postal service inside 2 days :)

Wrench Monkey

Front headlights are in 2 parts and came from my local Ford dealer.

3Rd brake ligth was longer (12 days)

Average cost of all clearance lights 3.50$ a piece.

Cost of 3rd brake light 28$

Cost of Ford's headlights 320$

The results are amazing (the only thing left would be to change the decals...)

This was only to motivate others and share some useful links














Class A
  • Mr__Jeff's avatar
    Mr__Jeff
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    Nice! I changed the headlights on our 1994 Southwind last year (with 214,000 miles on it) and found the lights were from '92 Toyota Camry. Picked up clean replacements at the salvage yard then installed new lamps. Such a huge difference!
  • C350amg's avatar
    C350amg
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    Mr. Jeff wrote:
    Such a huge difference!


    I fully agree, when I changed the headlights it was basically like night and day :) The cost of brand new ones in my case was not that expensive so that's why I opted for brand new ones....Yet the best would have been to have Zenon HID's like on my Mercedes but that is only a dream :S
  • C350amg's avatar
    C350amg
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    donhoward49 wrote:
    Nice looking, well taken care of rig.


    I am a bit of a perfectionist..... 15 years old rig and look at the engine bay, I have changed all hoses, rad, nuts but I have one rusty part left that will be painted next weekend (red arrow)

  • C350amg's avatar
    C350amg
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2013
    Mr. Jeff wrote:
    (with 214,000 miles on it)


    Was that on the original engine ? A P30 454 ?
  • jerryduffman's avatar
    jerryduffman
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    Headlight units are often OEM from a major auto/truck manufacturer; my 2000 Bounder used a Ford Bronco/pick-up truck headlight/turn signal unit. These may be available on the cheap from places like Auto Parts Warehouse. Just need to identify which headlight unit was used on your particular motorhome.
  • mtrumpet's avatar
    mtrumpet
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    Headlights on my 02 Dutch Star are from a Lincoln LS. Changed mine out last year. Found them online for less than half the price of what Newmar wanted for them.

    Someone should start a "sticky" with posts of all of the known cross references of headlights to motor homes! ;)
  • wny_pat1's avatar
    wny_pat1
    Explorer
    Mar 25, 2014
    C350amg wrote:
    Kind of funny because my rig is a GM P30 with Ford headlights :)
    Not really funny, cause I would not be surprised to find out the Triple E also used Ford chassis under their coaches too. Triple E spec'ed the headlight, not GM.

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