Tinted tail lights with LED bulbs question
12-01-2012, 09:25 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Tinted tail lights with LED bulbs question
I recently swapped out my stock tail lights for a nice tinted set. Would I benefit from swapping out the stock bulbs for some LED bulbs ?
12-01-2012, 09:33 PM
#2
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I would think that you would get a brighter light from the LEDs so I would say yes, it would benefit you to install them in your tinted lights.
Edit - I stand corrected by theradioflyer - and he should know all about lighting. I know my LED halos are much brighter than my stock taillights were, but I did not know about the issues he mentioned. Thanks for the correction George.
Edit - I stand corrected by theradioflyer - and he should know all about lighting. I know my LED halos are much brighter than my stock taillights were, but I did not know about the issues he mentioned. Thanks for the correction George.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; 12-02-2012 at 11:05 PM.
12-01-2012, 10:47 PM
#3
Supporting Vendor
Bad Idea. Most LED bulbs on the market have less lumens output than a standard 3157 bulb. In addition, these LED bulbs do not focus light as well in the reflector bowl due to the off-center location of the LEDs on the bulb (compared to the central location of a filament)
There is at least one company (elef) that makes a bulb with a brightness punch that rivals a traditional bulb, but there are still a few issues.
1) the Fitment is not an exact replacement for socket.
2) Splicing would be required (not a plug and play option)
3) The bulbs WILL cause hyper flash so a bypass harness would be needed
4) The price of the bulbs is astronomical for LED bulbs
In all honestly, you'd go through less of a headache getting a set of my Halo LED tail lights with tinging. These are plug and play, have superior brightness and I'll even throw in the halo modification to persuade you.
There is at least one company (elef) that makes a bulb with a brightness punch that rivals a traditional bulb, but there are still a few issues.
1) the Fitment is not an exact replacement for socket.
2) Splicing would be required (not a plug and play option)
3) The bulbs WILL cause hyper flash so a bypass harness would be needed
4) The price of the bulbs is astronomical for LED bulbs
In all honestly, you'd go through less of a headache getting a set of my Halo LED tail lights with tinging. These are plug and play, have superior brightness and I'll even throw in the halo modification to persuade you.
12-02-2012, 11:33 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Bad Idea. Most LED bulbs on the market have less lumens output than a standard 3157 bulb. In addition, these LED bulbs do not focus light as well in the reflector bowl due to the off-center location of the LEDs on the bulb (compared to the central location of a filament)
There is at least one company (elef) that makes a bulb with a brightness punch that rivals a traditional bulb, but there are still a few issues.
1) the Fitment is not an exact replacement for socket.
2) Splicing would be required (not a plug and play option)
3) The bulbs WILL cause hyper flash so a bypass harness would be needed
4) The price of the bulbs is astronomical for LED bulbs
In all honestly, you'd go through less of a headache getting a set of my Halo LED tail lights with tinging. These are plug and play, have superior brightness and I'll even throw in the halo modification to persuade you.
There is at least one company (elef) that makes a bulb with a brightness punch that rivals a traditional bulb, but there are still a few issues.
1) the Fitment is not an exact replacement for socket.
2) Splicing would be required (not a plug and play option)
3) The bulbs WILL cause hyper flash so a bypass harness would be needed
4) The price of the bulbs is astronomical for LED bulbs
In all honestly, you'd go through less of a headache getting a set of my Halo LED tail lights with tinging. These are plug and play, have superior brightness and I'll even throw in the halo modification to persuade you.
12-02-2012, 08:30 PM
#9
Melting Slicks
I had tried a few sets and came to the conclusion of using stock bulbs. Before i had the black cherries I had an even darker set that i sold and got the ones you have..
12-02-2012, 10:55 PM
#12
Melting Slicks
For the tail lights (brake lights) there is not a melting issue like there is for the corners (turn signal/drls), so the old school bulbs are your best bet/brightest/be$t for the buck
12-02-2012, 11:59 PM
#13
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
12-03-2012, 12:51 AM
#14
Drifting
I bought tinted light covers, and the front corner lights looked great, but I thought the rear lights were too dim in the daylight to be safe IMO.
Radioflyer is right that a lot of LED bulbs that you find are crappy, but if you know what you're doing you can find good ones. I can't confirm this, but I think changing the rear lights to LED will make your turn signals flash faster.
I think if you buy this style of light (they're typically about 15-20 bucks each for good ones), then you'll get good results. I've thought of doing the same thing.
Radioflyer is right that a lot of LED bulbs that you find are crappy, but if you know what you're doing you can find good ones. I can't confirm this, but I think changing the rear lights to LED will make your turn signals flash faster.
I think if you buy this style of light (they're typically about 15-20 bucks each for good ones), then you'll get good results. I've thought of doing the same thing.
12-03-2012, 11:06 AM
#15
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
I bought tinted light covers, and the front corner lights looked great, but I thought the rear lights were too dim in the daylight to be safe IMO.
Radioflyer is right that a lot of LED bulbs that you find are crappy, but if you know what you're doing you can find good ones. I can't confirm this, but I think changing the rear lights to LED will make your turn signals flash faster.
I think if you buy this style of light (they're typically about 15-20 bucks each for good ones), then you'll get good results. I've thought of doing the same thing.
Radioflyer is right that a lot of LED bulbs that you find are crappy, but if you know what you're doing you can find good ones. I can't confirm this, but I think changing the rear lights to LED will make your turn signals flash faster.
I think if you buy this style of light (they're typically about 15-20 bucks each for good ones), then you'll get good results. I've thought of doing the same thing.
