LED tail lights
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,229
Likes: 656
From: Thunder Bay
LED tail lights
I recently saw a midyear with LED tail lights and they are a huge improvement over stock. I am looking for a set for my '79 but I have not been able to find any that appear original. The only ones I have been able to find are a 'bubble' style that I really don't like the look of. Is anyone aware of any supplier that has original appearing LED tail lights for a '79?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 3,554
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Just replace the bulbs- try these guys https://www.superbrightleds.com
Just ordering bulbs off eBay or even Amazon seems to be a hit or miss for quality.
I'm also thinking Advance Auto- maybe others auto parts stores are now displaying LED bulbs- but are pricey.
You will have to replace your flashers- about $15/ea- need one for Hazards and one for turns.
I went totally custom w/ mine but retained the stock appearance- added a sequential flasher module- from Speedway Motors
DSCN5138 by Richard Hayes, on Flickr
Even used LEDs for reverse lights-
Just ordering bulbs off eBay or even Amazon seems to be a hit or miss for quality.
I'm also thinking Advance Auto- maybe others auto parts stores are now displaying LED bulbs- but are pricey.
You will have to replace your flashers- about $15/ea- need one for Hazards and one for turns.
I went totally custom w/ mine but retained the stock appearance- added a sequential flasher module- from Speedway Motors
DSCN5138 by Richard Hayes, on FlickrEven used LEDs for reverse lights-
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 946
Likes: 211
From: Foothills of the Adirondacks.
These are what I am using on all of my old cars.
Added bonus, WAY less current being drawn on the electrical circuit. It gives your old wiring a break. Your fuse box will thank you. Your ignition switch will thank you. Your light switch will thank you.
superbrightleds.com/1157-led-bulb-dual-function-45-smd
superbrightleds.com/1156-led-bulb-45-smd
superbrightleds.com/cf13gl-02-led-bulb-electronic-flasher
Added bonus, WAY less current being drawn on the electrical circuit. It gives your old wiring a break. Your fuse box will thank you. Your ignition switch will thank you. Your light switch will thank you.
superbrightleds.com/1157-led-bulb-dual-function-45-smd
superbrightleds.com/1156-led-bulb-45-smd
superbrightleds.com/cf13gl-02-led-bulb-electronic-flasher
Originally Posted by superbrightleds.com
For best results the LED color should be the same as the lens color or if bulb is behind a clear lens, use the appropriate color for turn and brake light functions. As an example: a red lens will filter out all but the red portion of the light so if the light is all red, none or very little light will be blocked by the lens. The light from a White LED contains very little light in the red portion of the visible spectrum so most of the light would be filtered out by a red lens.
Last edited by LT1M21Vette; Jan 3, 2016 at 01:59 AM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 8
superbrightleds.com/cf13gl-02-led-bulb-electronic-flasher
[/QUOTE]
Where is the flasher module located on a 2011 grand sport? Thanks.
[/QUOTE]Where is the flasher module located on a 2011 grand sport? Thanks.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 610
Likes: 167
From: Vancouver B.C.
To ensure the turn signals function properly, do all the bulbs in the turn signal system have to be replaced along with the flasher? By all, I mean the front and rear dual filament 1157 bulbs and the front side marker 168s. Or can you just change the rear 1157s and the flasher?
Anyone know?
Just wondering. Makes sense to change the whole system to led.
Anyone know?
Just wondering. Makes sense to change the whole system to led.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
You might get an answer in the C5 section.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,350
Likes: 1,578
From: los altos hills california
The additional thing I can contribute to this is that the dual-function LED taillights have different brightness levels depending on which circuit is switched on. Since it didn't matter for the incandescents the original wires on my 69 were swapped to different filaments by GM design/happenstance but you couldn't tell the difference.
The brightness difference left to right for my brake lights when I switched to the LED's annoyed me, I wanted both to be on the bright side. Turns out there was an easy fix, filing off one of the studs on the right side bulb allowed me to put it in reversed. Don't remember which one, but problem solved, the spring pressure will hold it in with just one stud. Can't say anything about other years but my car came from the factory wired wrong this way.
A benefit of the LED's is they come on quicker by fractions of a second. This translates to a few less feet of travel for the guy tailgating you on the freeway.
The brightness difference left to right for my brake lights when I switched to the LED's annoyed me, I wanted both to be on the bright side. Turns out there was an easy fix, filing off one of the studs on the right side bulb allowed me to put it in reversed. Don't remember which one, but problem solved, the spring pressure will hold it in with just one stud. Can't say anything about other years but my car came from the factory wired wrong this way.
A benefit of the LED's is they come on quicker by fractions of a second. This translates to a few less feet of travel for the guy tailgating you on the freeway.
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 152
Likes: 9
To ensure the turn signals function properly, do all the bulbs in the turn signal system have to be replaced along with the flasher? By all, I mean the front and rear dual filament 1157 bulbs and the front side marker 168s. Or can you just change the rear 1157s and the flasher?
Anyone know?
Just wondering. Makes sense to change the whole system to led.
Anyone know?
Just wondering. Makes sense to change the whole system to led.
When I tried LEDS in the front and front side, they didn't work properly. The side marker wiring won't allow the use of LED bulbs.
BTW, hazards work fine, I didn't replace that flasher unit, just the turn flasher.
I also changed the reverse lights to LED, as well as all the interior lights, including the dash, which does still dim, although I keep them on the brightest setting.
Last edited by KrisB410; Dec 30, 2015 at 10:56 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,875
Likes: 3,554
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Or- you can use a sequential flasher for the front. About $50 from Speedway Motors.
It has three outputs-and I'm going to use the third for my side mirrors.
It has three outputs-and I'm going to use the third for my side mirrors.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 38
From: Cedar,BC
Long gone,plug in flashers disappeared from most vehicles a decade or so ago,most are controlled by a bcm or two,do your research before trying out any non oem style lamps.Anyways,I have Dynamic Rings from Custom Dynamics on my bike and they work great,this thread got me thinking about how some of their products might work behind one of our taillight lenses.
Last edited by tfi racing; Dec 31, 2015 at 02:50 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 128
Likes: 3
Those LED bulbs from SuperBright use the old out dated 5050 LED elements on circuit boards. Not bright enough nor very efficient in terms of lumens/watt and has poor cooling characteristics.
There are many newer LED bulb designs that uses modern more efficient LED elements and with proper aluminum heat sink for cooling.
I tried these on my Italian sports car last year with great result and will use them on my 69 L71 in the near future.
There are many newer LED bulb designs that uses modern more efficient LED elements and with proper aluminum heat sink for cooling.
I tried these on my Italian sports car last year with great result and will use them on my 69 L71 in the near future.
Last edited by cwwhk; Dec 31, 2015 at 12:43 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 610
Likes: 167
From: Vancouver B.C.
Those LED bulbs from SuperBright use the old out dated 5050 LED elements on circuit boards. Not bright enough nor very efficient in terms of lumens/watt and has poor cooling characteristics.
There are many newer LED bulb designs that uses modern more efficient LED elements and with proper aluminum heat sink for cooling.
I tried these on my Italian sports car last year with great result and will use them on my 69 L71 in the near future.
There are many newer LED bulb designs that uses modern more efficient LED elements and with proper aluminum heat sink for cooling.
I tried these on my Italian sports car last year with great result and will use them on my 69 L71 in the near future.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 613
Likes: 11
From: EVANSVILLE Wisconsin
I just replace the rear 1157s with LEDS and the turn flasher to a LED flasher.
When I tried LEDS in the front and front side, they didn't work properly. The side marker wiring won't allow the use of LED bulbs.
BTW, hazards work fine, I didn't replace that flasher unit, just the turn flasher.
I also changed the reverse lights to LED, as well as all the interior lights, including the dash, which does still dim, although I keep them on the brightest setting.
When I tried LEDS in the front and front side, they didn't work properly. The side marker wiring won't allow the use of LED bulbs.
BTW, hazards work fine, I didn't replace that flasher unit, just the turn flasher.
I also changed the reverse lights to LED, as well as all the interior lights, including the dash, which does still dim, although I keep them on the brightest setting.
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 152
Likes: 9
KrisB410, do you have a list of the LED's you changed out your dash lights with? Not sure what year your Vette is but I have an 80 so my needs may be different anyway, but I really hate how dim my dash lights are and would love to change them to LED's if they remain dimmable. Thx!
Last edited by KrisB410; Jan 2, 2016 at 10:08 AM.
