Hmmm, to splice or re-wire? (1 Viewer)

[yoda-g3]

Trying to decide what to do with my new US M101. Should I cut the OEM connector off and splice in a flat 4, and swap bulbs to 12v, or should I just get one of those simple $50 LED kits and run a separate lighting setup so I don't hack the 'originality' of the beast.

What have you guys done? I don't plan on any major modifications to the thing if that helps. At the most I'll blast and repaint, maybe an axle swap down the road, but even that would be reversible if I ever sell it to someone who wants something original.

 

[94SRUNNER]

I don't have a M101, but I did just re-wire my utilty trailer with those LED tail lights and they make a big difference. Probably wouldnt hurt to replace the old wiring with fresh stuff.

Good Luck

 

[REZARF]

I would vote for a rewire, couldn't cost more than 75 bucks or so... then you KNOW whats in there and how it wired up. However, if it is all working... I'd use the cash somewhere else.

Drew

 

[John E Davies]

I vote for rewire - there is no telling how good or bad your current (this is a pun) wiring is.

Use extra ground wires for the lights - don't rely on light-to-frame grounds!

Mount a marine terminal strip under the tongue and route all the rear wires to there using split loom. You can attach the front section of harness there also, so you can do a quick and easy replacement if you somehow damage the front connector or wiring.

The exposed terminals make for easy troubleshooting, but you won't have to do much of that with LEDs and good ground. Coat the terminals with liquid electrical tape (from NAPA) for weather resistance if you like.

This isn't a military trailer, but you get the idea... some extra effort in your garage can save you uncomfortable hours troubleshooting screwed up lighting later on, beside some busy highway in the rain maybe.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[Brentbba]

I don't have a M101, but I did just re-wire my utilty trailer with those LED tail lights and they make a big difference. Probably wouldnt hurt to replace the old wiring with fresh stuff.

Good Luck

I did a rewire on my scout troop's trailer with LED's. Best mod on the trailer we've made. LED's obviously have less draw and they were MUCH brighter an visable than the junk incandecent lights the trailer came with.

Really did it to keep from blowing the damn blinker fuse in the 80 because of all the excess draw from not only the trailer, but the extra lights in my ARB front bumper and Kaymar rear bumper! I literally had to disconnect the running/blinker lights in the ARB to get the draw down to the point where it wouldn't blow the 10 amp fuse every damn time I turned the blinker on! Wasn't willing to risk an overload by just swaping in a 15 amp fuse.

Haven't had any issues since the change to LED's.