1157 replacements (tail light bulbs) - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bouncytruck · 08-19-2004, 01:53 PM

The other day I picked up a set of APC Halogen 1157 replacement bulbs. The guy at NAPA said that they are suppose to be much brighter than the standard incandescent bulb. I put one in and discovered it was about half as bright. When I put the tail light lens back on, it was hard to tell that the lights were even on.

What other options (affordable & without modifications) do we have for 1157 replacements. I have heard that some of the LED's aren't very bright either. Who has what brand(s) and how do they work? I'd like to have brighter brake lights than stock, especially since traffic is so wonderful in Seattle and everyone is in such a hurry.

Greenlee · 08-19-2004, 02:15 PM

I don't know if you saw the other thread on this yesterday or this morning, but painting the reflective bulb housing with chrome paint makes a big difference. I replaced a cracked housing on my passenger side. The new housing is bright and shiny and made the light much brighter than the driver's side. I'm going to paint the driver's side with chrome paint to make the driver's side brighter.

C&C Chevy · 08-19-2004, 10:08 PM

Exactly what greenlee said. I've done it and it is alot brighter, even with regular bulbs.

74Pumpkin · 08-20-2004, 12:09 AM

I never though of that for the break lights. Adding it to the list of things to do!
Thanks guys!

cliffsta · 08-20-2004, 04:41 PM

yeah that sounds good, except im out of chrome rust o leum. darnit

leastbay · 08-20-2004, 05:07 PM

this is what you need its LED

http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...0101&langId=-1

mckpaul · 08-20-2004, 05:50 PM

I recently replaced both back red lenses with replacements from O'Reilly's auto parts, they were about $15 each and even have the aluminum trim. What you get is just that, the lens only, not the whole fixture. One of mine was broke, and the other was just old and cloudy looking, the difference between it and the new replacement was like night and day. While I had them off I took out the plastic reflector plate and painted it with bumper chrome colored paint, even put new bulbs. Tail lights are nice and bright, even better than new. Also pulled the reflective cover off the dash and painted the inside of that too while I was into it. Man what a difference that made!!

Anyway, refreshing the lighting on the whole back end of the truck was less than $40 including all new bulbs.

cliffsta · 08-21-2004, 01:57 PM

i just sanded and painted my rusted steel step bumper with "chrome" rustoleum that looks more like silver, and changed my licence plate lamps, so now i can see better backing up.

im gonna get some pics of that bumper sooner or later.

Justins76 · 08-21-2004, 11:43 PM

I'll have to give that paint a try!

kballan · 08-22-2004, 03:01 AM

I did my taillight housings in the chrome paint too. I picked it up at a Target store. It's called "Instant Chrome" and the brand is Dutch Boy. I've never heard of it before, but this is really good stuff! It lays really well and evenly. In the first pic, I put a Bic lighter in front of the housing to show the reflective qualities of the paint. If you can find it, I highly recommend it!

08-19-2004, 01:53 PM	#1
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,038	1157 replacements (tail light bulbs) The other day I picked up a set of APC Halogen 1157 replacement bulbs. The guy at NAPA said that they are suppose to be much brighter than the standard incandescent bulb. I put one in and discovered it was about half as bright. When I put the tail light lens back on, it was hard to tell that the lights were even on. What other options (affordable & without modifications) do we have for 1157 replacements. I have heard that some of the LED's aren't very bright either. Who has what brand(s) and how do they work? I'd like to have brighter brake lights than stock, especially since traffic is so wonderful in Seattle and everyone is in such a hurry. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

08-19-2004, 10:08 PM	#3
C&C Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 1,001	Exactly what greenlee said. I've done it and it is alot brighter, even with regular bulbs. __________________ Robert Current: 1986 SWB Silverado 4.3 / TH400 Past: 1985 SWB Silverado 305 / TH350 - sold 1995 1987 1/2 ton Silverado - FI 350 / 700R4 sold 2007

08-20-2004, 12:09 AM	#4
74Pumpkin Insert witty comment here Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lakeville Minnesota Posts: 388	I never though of that for the break lights. Adding it to the list of things to do! Thanks guys! __________________ So many trucks, So little time!

08-20-2004, 04:41 PM	#5
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	yeah that sounds good, except im out of chrome rust o leum. darnit __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

08-20-2004, 05:50 PM	#7
mckpaul Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Houston Posts: 300	I recently replaced both back red lenses with replacements from O'Reilly's auto parts, they were about $15 each and even have the aluminum trim. What you get is just that, the lens only, not the whole fixture. One of mine was broke, and the other was just old and cloudy looking, the difference between it and the new replacement was like night and day. While I had them off I took out the plastic reflector plate and painted it with bumper chrome colored paint, even put new bulbs. Tail lights are nice and bright, even better than new. Also pulled the reflective cover off the dash and painted the inside of that too while I was into it. Man what a difference that made!! Anyway, refreshing the lighting on the whole back end of the truck was less than $40 including all new bulbs. __________________ Paul 1984 Chevy C-10 LWB/305

08-19-2004, 02:15 PM	#2
Greenlee Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: El Lago, TX Posts: 1,668	I don't know if you saw the other thread on this yesterday or this morning, but painting the reflective bulb housing with chrome paint makes a big difference. I replaced a cracked housing on my passenger side. The new housing is bright and shiny and made the light much brighter than the driver's side. I'm going to paint the driver's side with chrome paint to make the driver's side brighter.

08-20-2004, 05:07 PM	#6
leastbay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Lake Charles, LA Posts: 206	this is what you need its LED http://www.jcwhitney.com/webapp/wcs/...0101&langId=-1

08-21-2004, 01:57 PM	#8
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	i just sanded and painted my rusted steel step bumper with "chrome" rustoleum that looks more like silver, and changed my licence plate lamps, so now i can see better backing up. im gonna get some pics of that bumper sooner or later. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

08-21-2004, 11:43 PM	#9
Justins76 OutOfMyMind & I'llNeverKnowWhy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Another world, some other time Posts: 672	I'll have to give that paint a try! __________________ -Justin-Out of my mind and I'll never know why 1976 Chevrolet Silverado C10 350 4bbl / TH350 Big10 longbed 1986 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TPI 700R4 WS6 1992 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TBI 700R4 My cardomain page I don't like to save, it's more fun to spend!!

08-22-2004, 03:01 AM	#10
kballan Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada Posts: 373	I did my taillight housings in the chrome paint too. I picked it up at a Target store. It's called "Instant Chrome" and the brand is Dutch Boy. I've never heard of it before, but this is really good stuff! It lays really well and evenly. In the first pic, I put a Bic lighter in front of the housing to show the reflective qualities of the paint. If you can find it, I highly recommend it! Attached Images __________________ Kent Ballan ANY MAN CAN BUILD A TRUCK, BUT IT TAKES A REAL MAN TO CUT ONE UP!

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