Fitting US-spec reverse lights to a UK bus, opnions?

[user 422]

So my bus is nearly ready to go in for paint now, and the other half would really like it to have reversing lights (and possibly a rear fog...), now I *love* the look of original reverse lights on US busses, they look great, but do I want to fit them on my UK RHD bus? I feel as if it stands out more nowadays without having the US-spec bits and pieces...

I know I can fit the aftermarket ones on the bumper, but I'm not really a fan of the 'stick on' look of them. And I considered fitting something small and inconspicuous to the jailbars inside the tailgate, but it might look a bit like an afterthought too.

Any opinions greatly appreciated

 

[RICH-I-AM]

Personaly id go for it. If I had a UK bus going to paint id be cutting the holes to fit a set.
I like em and they are fectory fit.
Got em on mine but now converted to indicators.
Dont know how bright theyd be though :mrgreen:

Rich

 

[CHILDSEY]

My van is US spec so reverse lights are now indicators .
I bought a chrome bumper mounted one .
It looks good and halogen bulb so nice and bright!

 

[*Sam*]

I use them as reverse light on my US spec bus. Personally I wouldn't put them on RHD bus but it's your bus and if you like them perhaps you should.
They are handy when reversing at night

 

[dames]

Were the reverse lights offered as an option to the uk market? If so the dont feel so out of place.

 

[lard]

my thoughts would be not to put them in - a UK RHD for me is a treat to see and stands out more without them, mine are indicators - agree that it's worth having a reversing light as I've lost count of the times I've had to just pull out in car parks as people don't know you're waiting - I've got a set of day light running lamps to go inconspicuously under my rear bumper

reverse lights are also incredibly useful in the dark reversing and trying to line up with the awning!

 

[Tofufi]

I've only wished for reversing lights on my bus once in the last 7 years.

I wouldn't do it

 

[weeboll]

unnesessary clutter imho but then again then can always be welded up again so they're useful to you do it!

and if i have the misfortune of hitting something reversing in the dark i shall remember this post and simultaneously chuckle and mutter naughty words

 

[reezvaan]

Mine is a UK RHD spec bus and i did consider fitting reverse lights to it and actually bought a nice pair too but then changed my mind and decided to keep it the way it left the factory.

 

[ozziedog]

All the above are legitimate trains of thought, I have a RHD UK bus and I do occasionally wish for reversing lights in my back lane and sometimes in car parks. I do like the idea of daytime running lights fitted at the rear but perhaps right underneath so that they shine out when you need them but are almost invisible when they are unlit. There has fot to be a way of wacking these up out of the way so that they are barely visible and with the performance of modern lights you should be able to get a decent spread of light too :?

Ozziedog,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Maybe where the splash pans go ? :msn4:

 

[Marriedblonde]

I have a US bus and have had mine removed as I prefer the less clittered rear. A glowworm on the back of my bus would have provided more light when reversing anyway.

So I would say do not get them. It will ruin the back of your bus.

J.

 

[jonboylaw]

Oi loiks a clittered rear look


Sent from my GX64 SatCom phone using Tapatalk

 

[Marriedblonde]

lol...I am from Ampshire after all

 

[mike202]

So my bus is nearly ready to go in for paint now, and the other half would really like it to have reversing lights (and possibly a rear fog...), now I *love* the look of original reverse lights on US busses, they look great, but do I want to fit them on my UK RHD bus? I feel as if it stands out more nowadays without having the US-spec bits and pieces...

I know I can fit the aftermarket ones on the bumper, but I'm not really a fan of the 'stick on' look of them. And I considered fitting something small and inconspicuous to the jailbars inside the tailgate, but it might look a bit like an afterthought too.

Any opinions greatly appreciated

If you want to fit them, which from your original question it sounds as though you do, then that's fine. I assume that a UK bus will either have the gearbox switch to activate them or be capable of having one fitted.
As others have said, many USA imports keep the original red rear lamp/brake unit and fit the indicator in the reversing light as a flashing red indicator lamp is not legal in the UK. So they don't then have reversing lights any way.

Mine is converted to UK spec lights so my reversing lights work as intended and occasionally they come in useful.
If it was me I would however keep your UK lights and fit a cool looking reversing lamp on the bumper or alternativley fit a covert one underneath.

Those damn yankee imports are just everywhere aren't they :lol:

 

[K@rlos]

A glowworm on the back of my bus would have provided more light when reversing anyway.

Really :| mine are pukka! and useful as stated because other then know what you want to do>

 

[gvee]

I bung my hazards on when I need to reverse and do it oh-so-slowly...

I thought about this exact same thing but have decided that I will source a bumper (or jailbar) mounted light at some point. Was considering using a period spotlight on the back or stealthing something in under the bumper near my overriders.

 

[gvee]

Actually, where I have to park the van at my current abode I have a tiny, unlit space between a bush and a Merc SLK-200.

So my reverse light is currently a magnetic inspection lamp that I hop out and pop on the back 8)





:lol:

 

[user 422]

Thanks all for the opinions and advice

Decided that I'm sticking with the original-spec UK rear lights, and if in the future I feel the need for a fog/reverse light, I'll pop a nice period/chrome one on the jailbars/roofrack/bumper 8)

Like a lot of people said, seeing a UK RHD rather than an import bus is great, and I'd rather keep the original identity and character of the bus as much as possible (he says, after having removed the dormy roof and put a tintop section on instead! :lol: )

Cheers, Matt :mrgreen: