Clearance lights

[patrick flowers]

>
> Well I still have a leak-------and it even stained one of my new
> cabinets. For any of you have reported rotted wood under the
> water tank, I have a new place to look. You guessed it that
> rear clearance light on the pass side. The way it sits at an angle
> if the gasket between the lens and the base is not good water
> builds up inside then runs down the wires.

I always thought the rear clearance lights were on sort of an odd
angle. I probably should check mine as I have an elusive leak in the
same area.

> Good luck. BTW all of my screws for the lights are so rusted
> that I could not even get a screw driver on them. Tried
> to drill them out-------they are not screwed to the roof with
> a sheet metal screw. They are bolted with a molly bolt.
> Dont drill the head then try to pry it off the head. One poped
> right off the other pulled the rusted molly through the roof.

I was putting in a set of Jim Bound's front access cover
supports(pictures on the web page in a day or two) and decided to
replace all the fasteners with SS. After discovering that penetrating
oil and four-letter lubrication didn't do much good, I finally drilled
out most of the screws.

Arch, since you've BTDT, how would you suggest getting the old screws
out with a minimum of damage.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailtoatri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

 

[patrick flowers]

>
> If ytou are not doing paint, I would suggest the new stle teardrop
> light that does not have the top fin. They are readily available and
> do not stand up as high as the origionals. These do have the same
> foot print and with a little modification thought find a way to
> fasten them to the origional mounting holes.

Jim,

Where's the best place to find these lights? I've always thought the
original clearance lights looked clumsy on the otherwise aerodynamic GMC
and would like to update to something cleaner.

Patrick
- --
Patrick Flowers
Mailtoatri63

The GMC Motorhome Page
http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

 

[jim bounds1]

Arch,
Yep, those clearance lights will many times be that hard to find leak!
I wish GM would have used a better fastning system, the molly bolts will
usually not back out as they are supposed to and let you change the
light assy.

The lens assy. will leak letting watter follow gravity down the wire as
you found. I always seal the base to the roof and fill the wire and
screw holes to be sure this will not be a problem now or in the future!

Yes, when I am doing a paint job, I recomend new style front and rear
clearance lights to update the look. The fronts are low profile and hug
the roof top, not stick up proud of their size like the origionals. The
rears are narrow and have a curve similar to the rear cap. No chrome is
on eather as top not draw attention to them.

The bad parts is they do not have the same foot print as the origionals
so I use them only when I am painting so I can fill all of the old holes
and cut new ones for the new lights.

If ytou are not doing paint, I would suggest the new stle teardrop light
that does not have the top fin. They are readily available and do not
stand up as high as the origionals. These do have the same foot print
and with a little modification thought find a way to fasten them to the
origional mounting holes.

Hope this helps.

Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com

>
> Well I still have a leak-------and it even stained one of my new
> cabinets. For any of you have reported rotted wood under the
> water tank, I have a new place to look. You guessed it that
> rear clearance light on the pass side. The way it sits at an angle
> if the gasket between the lens and the base is not good water
> builds up inside then runs down the wires. From the wires it
> runs down the next frame member behind the side window.
> >From there it hits the slope up to the back and right down
> under your water tank. It does all of this without dripping.
> Good luck. BTW all of my screws for the lights are so rusted
> that I could not even get a screw driver on them. Tried
> to drill them out-------they are not screwed to the roof with
> a sheet metal screw. They are bolted with a molly bolt.
> Dont drill the head then try to pry it off the head. One poped
> right off the other pulled the rusted molly through the roof.
>
> Now some questions: Has anyone replaced these lights with
> something else? If I want to put in one of the lowprofile ACs
> am I going to have to move the lights anyway. The book
> says these lights are still available. I think I want to change.
> I would be thankful for any insight anyone has.
>
> Take Care
> Arch

 

[jim bounds1]

Patrick,
I picked up the front & rear lights described from JC Whitney & they
were pretty descent. The GM dealer wanted much $ for their units. In
talking with Arch today, he had found the front ones at WalMart very
reasonable.
JC Whitney also carried the "teardrop" rear lights I use, both are in
sets of 5 with a switch which fits nicely in my junk box for electrical
parts!

If you would like, I will pick some up for you on my next order, but I'm
sure those marketing guys at JC Whitney have found you too!

Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com

>

> >
> > If ytou are not doing paint, I would suggest the new stle teardrop
> > light that does not have the top fin. They are readily available and
> > do not stand up as high as the origionals. These do have the same
> > foot print and with a little modification thought find a way to
> > fasten them to the origional mounting holes.
>
> Jim,
>
> Where's the best place to find these lights? I've always thought the
> original clearance lights looked clumsy on the otherwise aerodynamic GMC
> and would like to update to something cleaner.
>
> Patrick
> --
> Patrick Flowers
> Mailtoatri63
>
> The GMC Motorhome Page
> http://www.gmcmotorhome.com

 

[jim bounds1]

Arch,
As we discussed today on the phone, the new coleman roof AC and the
Dometic "pinguin" both hang over the rear clearance lights. You
actually must moove the lights for the Coleman but it would not be wise
to hang any unit where you could not pull off the clearance light lens
to change the bulb. I just had to change a bulb on a 78 transmode with
this situation, very depressing!

Cover the old holes and relocate the lights low enough to skinny a
stubby screw driver up to the lens screw.

Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com

>
> In a message dated 98-06-22 08:19:37 EDT, you write:
>
> If ytou are not doing paint, I would suggest the new stle teardrop light
> that does not have the top fin. They are readily available and do not
> stand up as high as the origionals. These do have the same foot print
> and with a little modification thought find a way to fasten them to the
> origional mounting holes.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com >>
>
> Jim
>
> I still have one question.........If I put in a new AC will it clear the
> old lights. This will make a big difference as to whether or not
> I ditch the old lights.
>
> Take Care
> Arch