Anyone have experience with truck cab markers? Buco project.

[Cheburashka]

I've set up my Buco Twinmasters as turn signals and auxiliary brake lights. They came with central bayonet mountings for small single filament bulbs and a spring-loaded plate at the back of the central mounting tube that is supposed to contact the power wire. I got all of that wired and everything was working fine until I put groceries in the bags, which caused a ground fault and blew the main fuse.

I plan to put fuses in, but I'm also hoping I can just replace the whole assembly. What's in there is a chrome-plated steel 2.5" housing (apparently a stock item from JD Lights in the '60s) which has chrome peel and a lot of rust, and the somewhat sketchy bulb mounting system. The mounting hole is somewhere around 2" and they're held in place like a speedometer--central threaded piece and a steel bracket that extends past the ends of the housing and contacts the fiberglass.

Several companies make sealed LED beehive lights that would look really good in there, but I can't figure out how they mount. They sometimes come with a rubber grommet which has a 2" inside diameter and a 3.15 outside diameter which is too big to fit into the recess in the bag. Are these intended to just slide into a 2" hole like a regular firewall grommet, leaving a hole for the marker light to slide into? I'm having a hard time figuring out what will work in this application. Any help is appreciated.

[Snakeoil]

I cannot help you with your light fit up problem. Most of the plastic truck marker/clearance lights have a pop-off lens and with it off, there are mounting screws that screw into the body of the truck. You could use those to mount a bridge mount similar to what you have now, if the light you select has a flange or similar to but up against the outside of the bag.

Another thought is to epoxy a blanking plate into that hole and then just screw a replacement light to it. You might find a cap off a small jar or gallon jug that would fit the hole tightly.

The other suggestion I wanted to pass on is if you have a large NAPA store in your area, they tend to have a big selection of truck marker lights. I was not aware there were so many sizes until I tried to find a replacement lens for my bike trailer. Probably worth a shot to see what they have. Might find something that fits your need. Bring one of the bags with you and you can try them for fit right there.

regards,
Rob