LED Taillights?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Leavenworth Kansas
LED Taillights?
Just wondering if anyone has replaced rear bulbs with LEDs? If nuttin's broke, then I start lookin' fer things to break! 
Seriously, I'm considering bubble lenses on my 71 with LEDs (all four). Actually have nice B/U lights that fit in the exhaust cuttouts (switched to Hookers and sidepipes, so the holes are open). I thought I'd splice into the harness where necessary. Think I would also need an LED-compatible flasher unit for the turn signals.
Anyone tried any of this?? I'd appreciate hearing about the trials and tribulations B4 I dig in.
And before I get the "why" question, "why not?" Nuttin' else is stock anymore.
Seriously, I'm considering bubble lenses on my 71 with LEDs (all four). Actually have nice B/U lights that fit in the exhaust cuttouts (switched to Hookers and sidepipes, so the holes are open). I thought I'd splice into the harness where necessary. Think I would also need an LED-compatible flasher unit for the turn signals.
Anyone tried any of this?? I'd appreciate hearing about the trials and tribulations B4 I dig in.
And before I get the "why" question, "why not?" Nuttin' else is stock anymore.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I have some very unique and expensive rear taillight LEDs and they are VERY bright. I am very happy with the way they work and while they won't fit in stock housings they do fit nicely behind the bubbles lenses.
They will require an HD electronic flasher, and maybe some extra resistance per bulb no matter what LED bulb you go with. I have front signal wiring problems still so I cannot say for sure if both the flasher and resistors are needed.
I didn't pay this much for them as I got a good deal, but last I checked these were $49 each.
They will require an HD electronic flasher, and maybe some extra resistance per bulb no matter what LED bulb you go with. I have front signal wiring problems still so I cannot say for sure if both the flasher and resistors are needed.
I didn't pay this much for them as I got a good deal, but last I checked these were $49 each.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Shawano Wisconsin
I did something a little different 2 winters ago. I took the handy old Dremmel tool and cut the taillights on my '80. So I separated the red lens and the backing apart.Then I went and bought some LED taillights for a semi. The 4" lens and cut that apart.Cut it down to fit the '80's lens then used silicone to seal it back up redid the wires and have had no problems. The lights are stock but SURPRISE LED'S. I have had a lot of complements on them. They fit in really well.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I did something a little different 2 winters ago. I took the handy old Dremmel tool and cut the taillights on my '80. So I separated the red lens and the backing apart.Then I went and bought some LED taillights for a semi. The 4" lens and cut that apart.Cut it down to fit the '80's lens then used silicone to seal it back up redid the wires and have had no problems. The lights are stock but SURPRISE LED'S. I have had a lot of complements on them. They fit in really well.
Pics of them installed or pics of the process?
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 2
From: You Can't Buy Cool, No Friggin' Way - Mississauga Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 74
From: Palatine, Peoples Republic of Illinois
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 2
From: You Can't Buy Cool, No Friggin' Way - Mississauga Ontario
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
The ORIGINAL and bestest
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 10,009
Likes: 240
From: Toronto Ontario
Toronto Events Coordinator
Instructor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Newportville PA
Shout out to Durango Boy....Lookin Good
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 2
From: You Can't Buy Cool, No Friggin' Way - Mississauga Ontario
