Ed HD
Formerly: Dad's 05 LLY
So over winter break I did some work on our flat-bed car trailer, since the chains that were on it were tiny, had been welded back on, and one of the lights broke due to being backed into a snowbank. So, I gathered parts from Running's (Fleet and Farm place) and TSC and got to work. Funnily enough, Runnings and TSC each had one of the chains I needed (same brand even), and TSC had the LED Tail lights on sale for $40 with a full wiring kit, which was nice, because the old connector was shot, the wiring was poorly attached and the ground had broken off, even though it was only a few years old. The new tails also had grounds that mounted to the bracket, something the old ones didn't have. The chains are rated at 5k, and the weld-on links are similar. The trailer is technically 7k. I know the old chains would have never held the weight of the trailer, as one fell off somehow. Not safe at all.
Anyways, on to the pics (not the greatest, taken with my HTC Incredible):
What I started with:
Tools I needed:
New parts:
New Chain v. Old chain:
After grinding the old chains off and getting to bare steel for clean welds (6013 rod)
Clamped, ready to weld:
Welded:
I forgot to take pics of the taillight replacement, as it was getting late and I just wanted to finish. I spliced in about 3' of new wiring from the connector to the main harness (which was fine from our last replacement a few years ago) and spliced the new light units in. I then wrapped the front few feet with electrical tape to prevent chafing and the wires pulling apart, and made sure the connector was securely grounded, then painted all the bare steel with some black brake paint I had around to prevent rust. I also coated the mounting bolts for the lights with some brake terminal spray coating, as the old ones were rusted on there good, and they also ground it, so the grounds don't rust. It was a good thing I did, as the next day I pulled the trailer about 150 miles and that's the first place rust, slop and salt go off of the tires.
Sorry for the long post, but I figured I'd explain what I did, and why. Any questions, just ask.
Anyways, on to the pics (not the greatest, taken with my HTC Incredible):
What I started with:
Tools I needed:
New parts:
New Chain v. Old chain:
After grinding the old chains off and getting to bare steel for clean welds (6013 rod)
Clamped, ready to weld:
Welded:
I forgot to take pics of the taillight replacement, as it was getting late and I just wanted to finish. I spliced in about 3' of new wiring from the connector to the main harness (which was fine from our last replacement a few years ago) and spliced the new light units in. I then wrapped the front few feet with electrical tape to prevent chafing and the wires pulling apart, and made sure the connector was securely grounded, then painted all the bare steel with some black brake paint I had around to prevent rust. I also coated the mounting bolts for the lights with some brake terminal spray coating, as the old ones were rusted on there good, and they also ground it, so the grounds don't rust. It was a good thing I did, as the next day I pulled the trailer about 150 miles and that's the first place rust, slop and salt go off of the tires.
Sorry for the long post, but I figured I'd explain what I did, and why. Any questions, just ask.
