LED Upgrade to Rear Rectangular Lights

[Naja289]

Hey guys...on my 289 FIA...I'm wanting to upgrade the brake light bulbs...is there some concensus about what bulb to use and are there any issues to be concerned about?...is this just a bulb swap or is there some adapter needed?...why not do the fronts as well...your ideas are solicited!...thanks

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Naja289

Hey guys...on my 289 FIA...I'm wanting to upgrade the brake light bulbs...is there some concensus about what bulb to use and are there any issues to be concerned about?...is this just a bulb swap or is there some adapter needed?...why not do the fronts as well...your ideas are solicited!...thanks

It's just a bulb swap, and the one I listed in the very first post on this thread works great. Nothing to it -- but doing the rear lights and the front lights might affect your blinker. You won't know until you try.

[347stroker]

Patrick if the blinker is an old style mechanical unit replace it with an electronic unit. LED lights don't create any amp draw to operate a mechanical blinker. Had that problem when I converted my tractor trailer to LED.

[patrickt]

You know, I considered changing the front turn lights to the LED bulbs, but, after thinking about it, I never rely on anybody seeing those lights anyway (and they do seem to be decent for turn signals). In fact, on the few times that I really want someone in front of me to know that I'm turning, I use a hand signal -- I don't think they even teach those anymore in driver's ed.

[Naja289]

Thanks for the info and update...I'll give these a try...yeah -hand signals-never thought that I'd use them again-but they work(!) and even saves time when you need to respond to the 'no-you with the Cobra-you go ahead of me' thing that happens from time to time...you all coming out to Laguna this year?? Regards!

[Ozgur_Tan]

done that on my #1

[Naja289]

Those look first rate...thanks
naja

[mptech]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I ordered the RED 1157-R45-T bulb from LED Lights, Bulbs & Accessories - SUPER BRIGHT LEDS -- they have 45 LEDs on them and are perfect for the rectangular, single bulb, rear lights that have the light vertically installed. I had the "extra bright" bulbs in there, along with the reflectors behind them, but the LEDs make a real noticable improvement. It's a five minute installation, and the turn signals work just fine. Here are some shots:

This is the bulb:



This is the OLD bulb, brakes lit:



This is the NEW LED bulb, brakes lit:



And this is both of them, LED on the left, bulb on the right, brakes lit:

I understand this is an old thread, any chance of seeing the original pictures? (I'm still reading through the other 11 pages)

Thanks!

[bingo2]

I just installed the bulbs Patrick recommended; they are significantly brighter than normal 1157s. Thanks Patrick!

[cscobra]

Good thread--wish I'd seen it before now.