Brighter tail lights?
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Brighter tail lights?
I'm thinking about tinting my tail lights, but I am concerned that my current bulbs, which I believe are stock, won't be bright enough. I have no idea about the wattage or anything so I was wondering if anyone had a good recommendation for bright tail lights/brake lights/rear turn signal lights. I've read that LED'* are brighter and last longer, but how do these work? Will they just plug in to the stock socket? If they are a lot of work I would rather just stick with regular ol' bulbs. Thanks for any ideas you guys might have.
#2
I'm pretty sure you would have to custom wire a string of LEDs and rebuild the tails to work with them I would say just replace all the bulbs with regular ones just to get it done since it is a very cheap way to ensure safety.... I believe they will be plenty bright, there are alot of members here with tinted tails and I don't think I have ever heard of one complaining about dim tails.
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I figured LEDs would be complicated...
Thats a good point. If anyone who has done this would let me know how the stock bulbs appear (especially during the day) I'd appreciate it.
Still interested in brighter lights though.
Thats a good point. If anyone who has done this would let me know how the stock bulbs appear (especially during the day) I'd appreciate it.
Still interested in brighter lights though.
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LEDS will lower the output because the light is designed to Reflect on the inner tail surface...the LEDS wont have enough angle in them to reflect, thus making them appear dimmer in the TL housing....there are MANY that have done the VHT on the tails with no ill effects....when you do the VHT.....go see Bill W.....he'* done a few sets and would surely help ya out
#5
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Originally Posted by 1993 SLE
..go see Bill W.....he'* done a few sets and would surely help ya out
The LED'* IMO would be brighter when seeing them straight on, however as mentioned .. w/o much of the light reflecting.. they may be hard to see from the side etc.
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Ever have any trouble with the law enforcement for the tinted tails? Over here in Vancouver, they want amber markers in the front, which I don't, but the reflection of my amber lights seem to fool them pretty good.
#8
Originally Posted by GreenMachine98
mine are tinted with stock bulbs and you can see the lights on during the day.
the tint makes them look dark, but its translucent black, light comes thru just fine
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Ive got Blue 3157 and White 3157 LED plug -in bulbs they are way more brighter than a normal filament. The only problem I had was that they did'nt draw enough current so the relay flashed really fast as if the bulbs were out, simple fix.. change the relay.
Check your local Semi-truck shop or truck stops for lights (you will be surprised in what you find.....those boys like custom stuff to) and Radio Shack for the relay. Also, another problem is that LED'* don't really have much ambient light, so the main output is mainly face on. Im working on a true LED board, so the taillights will look more like a new Cadillac than a bonneville. There are boards out there, but they are way over-priced, way cheaper and more custom if you can d.i.y.*. My plans are to make a sunburst circular pattern with alternating white and red LED'* to really grab your attention while stopping or turning.
Cheers "TheKaddyKid'
Check your local Semi-truck shop or truck stops for lights (you will be surprised in what you find.....those boys like custom stuff to) and Radio Shack for the relay. Also, another problem is that LED'* don't really have much ambient light, so the main output is mainly face on. Im working on a true LED board, so the taillights will look more like a new Cadillac than a bonneville. There are boards out there, but they are way over-priced, way cheaper and more custom if you can d.i.y.*. My plans are to make a sunburst circular pattern with alternating white and red LED'* to really grab your attention while stopping or turning.
Cheers "TheKaddyKid'
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