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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 02:23 PM
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Default Tailights seem dim

on my 81. Are there any aftermarket tail light bulbs available that are brighter to avoid being rear ended? Thanks
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 02:39 PM
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You have several options to make your tail lights brighter. First, clean out the housings...they're likely dirty and less able to reflect light out. Clean out the sockets...they're likely a bit corroded.

You can go to Pep Boys, Advance Auto or Auto Zone (or JC Whitney) and buy halogen 1157 bulbs for the brake/trun signals and halpgen 1156 bulbs for the backup lights. Be careful and don't touch them with your fingers as they can leave body oils on the bulb, creating a hot spot that cause the glass to shatter in a short space of time.

You can also find LED lights with 1157 and 1156 bases to install as well...they use less current and run cooler. I've never tried them but they are at least good in concept.

I use the halogen bulbs in my '69 and they run MUCH brighter than stock. Whichever you decide to use, smear the bases with electrical dilectric grease to keep them from corroding in the socket and it makes for better connections.

You'll likely spend somewhere close to $10 per bulb, but it's money well spent to make your car better seen.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Roughrider
You can also find LED lights with 1157 and 1156 bases to install as well...they use less current and run cooler. I've never tried them but they are at least good in concept.
This is what I installed on mine, and they are definitely brighter than the stock bulbs. I believe I got them for less than $20 / pair at a parts store. More expensive than standard bulbs, but well worth it, IMO.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 02:47 PM
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Thanks folks. The housings are clean and reflective. May try the LEDS. Any other alternatives?
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 06:13 PM
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Halogen bulbs seems like a good idea, but will the stock harness withstands the current of the halogens?
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 06:42 PM
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Originally Posted by HamadUP
Halogen bulbs seems like a good idea, but will the stock harness withstands the current of the halogens?
Good question. I wouldn't want to start a fire or anything. Anyone know?
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 07:17 PM
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Originally Posted by LowMile81
Thanks folks. The housings are clean and reflective. May try the LEDS. Any other alternatives?
My tail lights were dim on my '66. The tail-light housings are supposed to be self grounding, but apparently were not grounding well enough. I ran an independent ground wire direct to the frame and they brightened right up.
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Old Sep 7, 2007 | 08:40 PM
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Make sure the bulbs that are in the lights now are the correct ones. Someone may have put the wrong bulbs in. Original lights were plenty bright...it is NOT a design problem.
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Old Sep 8, 2007 | 02:15 AM
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Someone had some in a black 77 or 78. I think they were LEDS but looked like stars. Does anyone know who this is?
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Old Sep 9, 2007 | 11:28 AM
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Default tailiights are dim

I had the same problem. YOU MAY HAVE THE GROUND WIRE CROSSED,SEPARATE THE WIRES GOING INTO THE SOCKET AND TRY ONE BY ONE IF YOU TOUCH THE RIGHT ONE THE LIGHT WILL GET BRIGHT IMMEDIATELY. ALSO MAY JUST BE A BAD GROUND
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Old Sep 22, 2007 | 08:11 PM
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lowmile81,
I believe that you are fishing for DB's famous Spider Lights. I know how much you guys get off on that. How obvious are you going to be? For a Newbie, you seem to be very well versed on the history of this site. What's your former screen name?
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 12:11 AM
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Originally Posted by palamesa
lowmile81,
I believe that you are fishing for DB's famous Spider Lights. I know how much you guys get off on that. How obvious are you going to be? For a Newbie, you seem to be very well versed on the history of this site. What's your former screen name?
Wow. Forgot about this thread, turned out to be the ground after all. Thank you folks for the ones that truly tried to help. Now, Palmesa, I seen trolls like you on other forums trolling one posters threads just to pick fights. Please stay the hell outta my post and stop sending me private messages with your assumptions and other crap please...

Last edited by LowMile81; Sep 23, 2007 at 12:47 AM.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 02:50 AM
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Glad you were able to get that dim tail light problem solved without having to resort to LED's. Those things are the #1 topic for ripping DB by the peanut gallery, but I'm sure you would know anything about that.

Not exactly sure what your jclgodale3 connection is but I'd say, as far as Corvettes go, he's an excellent role model. He has one of the finest looking C3's I've ever seen, anywhere. I am a firm believer in letting your results do your talking as far as credibility goes (as long as you do your own work). It obvious that guy has major talent.

I will now do what all of my friends here have already done and that's to put you on my ignore list. Actually, you are the only one on the list. Good luck on your Vette if you have one, whoever you are and wherever you are from......GP
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 08:33 AM
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Another option...good grounds,no back-up lights....just 4 tail/brake lights..

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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by palamesa

I will now do what all of my friends here have already done and that's to put you on my ignore list. ......GP
Please do...you keep calling me someone else and calling me out to say that "I'm" calling someone else out? WTF? How ironic...no wonder "all you friends put you on their ignore list" You said it, not me...
P.S. I will search this Jcjgodale3 character just to see who the hell I'm suppose to be. He musta been a real thorn in your side
P.S.S. Did he follow people around all the time to start crap like you have with me for the last 2 weeks? You have been a major PITA

Last edited by LowMile81; Sep 23, 2007 at 10:50 AM.
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by rihwoods
Another option...good grounds,no back-up lights....just 4 tail/brake lights..
Now that is a good thought. Looks good too. Thank you rihwoods
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 11:28 PM
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Originally Posted by LowMile81
Now that is a good thought. Looks good too. Thank you rihwoods
LORD OF THE RINGS......
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Old Sep 23, 2007 | 11:52 PM
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Originally Posted by rihwoods
LORD OF THE RINGS......
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