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LED tail lights

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Old May 19, 2004 | 12:54 AM
  #1  
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Default LED tail lights

I was watching an episode of "Trucks!" where they were working on the Copperhead truck, and they had these LED light panels, in the shape of the tail light, that plugged straight into the existing socket. Any ideas on where to look for something like that for a 69 vette? I think it would look sharp.
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Old May 19, 2004 | 01:51 AM
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Default Re: LED tail lights (mlub)

some go in the standard socket.
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Old May 19, 2004 | 04:47 AM
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Default Re: LED tail lights (comp)

i've seen them at Autozone that plug in directly into the socket but, they have a warning that they are not to be used on the street. :confused:
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Old May 19, 2004 | 04:49 AM
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Default Re: LED tail lights (mlub)

http://search.ebay.com/1157-led_W0QQ...QfromZR8QQhtZ1


I put in "led 1157" in an ebay search have a look
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Old May 19, 2004 | 07:48 AM
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Default Re: LED tail lights (mlub)

I went the more complicated route
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Old May 19, 2004 | 09:40 PM
  #6  
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Default Re: LED tail lights (mlub)

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Old May 19, 2004 | 10:04 PM
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Default Re: LED tail lights (garandfan)

:cool:
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Old May 19, 2004 | 10:57 PM
  #8  
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Default Re: LED tail lights (JoeC427)

I saw the same show and did a search on LED light bulbs and came up with a mailorder shop that had LED replacement bulbs for turn signal, parking lights, and taillight bulbs. Can't find it now tho.
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Old May 20, 2004 | 01:53 AM
  #9  
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Default Re: LED tail lights (PRND21)

PRND21, let me know if you find that link :seeya
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Old May 20, 2004 | 02:56 AM
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Default Re: LED tail lights (mlub)

I bought the 1157 LED bulbs from summit...
and I was NOT happy.
Well, I was at first, but after about 2 weeks of driving, half of the LEDs weren't lighting.
I got pulled over, and pulled it all apart , and monkeyed around with it to get them to works, just to get out of the ticket.
The company was APC from Japan.
Do NOT buy their stuff...
Let the ricers have it.
BTW, it was a little brighter than the stock 1157 bulbs, but it seems that they can't take any kind of vibration.
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Old May 20, 2004 | 07:35 AM
  #11  
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Default Re: LED tail lights ('75 383 ElkGrove)

I wonder if the light bulb socket was marginal and thats why you say they cant take vibration. I say this only because before I re-did my tail lights I had to replace the sockets (I think they are called pig tails) to fix an intermittent problem with the regular 1157 bulbs. My old sockets were pretty tired. And now I dont need the new ones.
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Old May 20, 2004 | 10:56 AM
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Default Re: LED tail lights (mlub)

I was watching an episode of "Trucks!" where they were working on the Copperhead truck, and they had these LED light panels, in the shape of the tail light, that plugged straight into the existing socket. Any ideas on where to look for something like that for a 69 vette? I think it would look sharp.
I have had a pair of "Bright Red" 1157 replacements in my 69 for over a year now and I really like them a lot. Very visible, look cool, and problem free. I bought them from Stylin' Concepts but others now have them a little less expensive.
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Old May 20, 2004 | 12:46 PM
  #13  
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From: I can walk to MA
Default Re: LED tail lights (pws69)

Lots of places to get them.
Here is an electronics supply place that has 'em fairly cheap.
$4.18 for red/yellow ... $11.46 for bright white.
http://www.digikey.com/scripts/DkSea...S&Cat=31851335

You might need to add a low value resistor in parallel to keep the blinker rate
reasonable.

:seeya


[Modified by NHvette, 12:48 PM 5/20/2004]
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Old May 20, 2004 | 01:14 PM
  #14  
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Default Re: LED tail lights (NHvette)

What happens if you use them w/out any wiring mods?
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Old May 20, 2004 | 09:52 PM
  #15  
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From: Feenix Az
Default Re: LED tail lights (SanDiegoPaul)

What happens if you use them w/out any wiring mods?
Slower or no signal flash. It depends upon how many you have in the system. I have LEDs in the back and incandescents up front. The signal flash is fine. Another option is a simple (but more expensive) electronic flasher to replace the existing thermal one.

Dane
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Old May 20, 2004 | 10:03 PM
  #16  
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Default Re: LED tail lights ('75 383 ElkGrove)

I also bought the 1157 LED's and one night, my wife driving behind me commented on how dim the lights were. The problem is, out lens are somewhat opaque. LED lights need to be behind a CLEAR red lens. If not, you waste about $35 like I did. Believe it or don't.
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