LED Taillights

[GoobersBlueBurban]

I know this topic has came up numerous times, but if i remember correctly nobody ever gave a straight up answer on where to buy, or who makes the LED taillights for the '73-87 Chevy Trucks, Suburbans, and Blazers. I have been trying to find a set for my '87 Suburban because i like the brightness and life span of the LED lighting. If anybody has any information on where to buy or of anyone who makes them, i would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[Russell]

There was a company who was promising to come out with a set, but I gave up waiting... I'm planning to try and make a set myself

[GoobersBlueBurban]

How hard is it to make LED taillights. I thought about making some but i didnt know what was involved. I also wanted to get some LED turn signal lights for up front, but i will probably end up buying some oval 2"x6" LED's from the local diesel shop to put in my grill where the original turn signals went.

[Zoomad75]

Just get a set of LED replacement bulbs. www.superbrightleds.com has them or some of the chain parts stores have them too. The bulbs will certainly be cheaper than anyone can assemble a whole new tail light assembly. I had seen the stuff too for the all led 73-87 tail light and it was thought to retail at over $100 or more. WHY???? The replacement bulbs on the website are under $10 a bulb.

[Lynx]

If you switch to LED bulbs do you have to switch your flasher from an electromechanical to an electronic?

[evan]

Originally Posted by Lynx

If you switch to LED bulbs do you have to switch your flasher from an electromechanical to an electronic?

Yup.

[Russell]

Basically, the LED cluster bulbs are very directional, and all you can see of the tail lights is just a circle where the LED bulbs are.

What that company was gonna make was a set of flat panel LED lights, so it fills the entire reflector. My idea for making them was to get several pieces of breadboard, then solder banks of LED lights onto them. Except, since the tailights are curved, connect the different strips of breadboard together by sticking one leg of an LED on one board, and the other leg onto the other, then gently bending the board. It should give the full curve needed, without any major gaps.

All that is needed to make these things work is an electronic flasher, and a resistor for the LEDs to get them to operate at the correct voltage.

[evan]

Hey Russel, I would definately be interested if you end up making some.

[GoobersBlueBurban]

Russell if you do end up making some up i will pay you for a set of them (when i find a job that i can actually make money). i really like the look of the all LED taillights. I have seen the LED bulbs and they dont look worth a darn. I just haven't been able to find a place that makes them that actually look at least decent.

[Zoomad75]

Russ, I can see your point about the directional nature of LED light output. But not all of us have the stuff to build something like that. If you can and sell it and can make money off it, more power to you.

I'm going to get me a pair of these for $7. 25 LEDs total with 6 of them mounted radially, 90 degrees to the rest of the LEDs. Add that to the stock reflector and it's still bright.


DirtyLarry's got a set of storebought LED replacement bulbs and I can't see a problem with them. Heres a shot of his in the daylight WITH the sunlight directly on them from about 200 ft. If you can't see those you are BLIND! (thats just the tail lights, hes not on the brakes either)