anyone using LED taillight bulbs???

I use an LED set up for my Lark for the same reason. I purchased them at AutoZone. I think they were about $16 a pair. The red ones work the best for the red lens of the tail light. The only thing is that at first they will not work with the indicators. The power drain is so low that the flasher can will not be able to regulate the timing of the flash. I tried switching to a newer style of flasher can but that made the audible noise of the flash louder, which is a bonus, but did not change the no flashing of the rear indicators.

By purchasing a load equalizer you will be able to put a load on the new lights and this will allow the lights to then blink like the old ones. I have tried using them without a load equalizer and they will not work like the original ones are supposed to. If you get the wrong size equalizers, one for each side of the system, you might end up with just the rear lights flashing correctly, that is if you change out the front park/running lights as well. I changed out the front and rear lights for led and had to take the front ones out again because of the equalizers being to small. Another thing is that the equalizers do get hot. So hot that they could melt carpet and damage painted surfaces. I put mine where the radiator bolts to the support so they were out of the way and could not be touched by my forgetful hands and connected them to the indicator system there. If you are worried about having an electric current so close to your radiator and the effects it might have on corrosion then you could put them some where else.

I could only find load equalizers on eBay but if you have a Japanese import type shop around your area that deals with new clear style tail lights then they might have them in stock.

Wiz.

I ordered a pair of taillight bulbs from superbrightleds.com - I wouldn't recommend them. A regular 1034 was brighter.

nate

I found they were not as bright as a halogen bulb. They (LED's) tend to be directional, too. You need to install an all electronic flasher (trucks use them) as there isn't enough load on an old fashioned flasher to heat up the bimetal strip. I bought the load gizmo's for mine, but the electronic flasher cured it easier than rewiring stuff. Maybe the later LED's are better, but I was not impressed and removed my rear LED's because people could not see the tail lights during the day. Jeff

"ChampTruck> Where did you get them?? Are they expensive?? I am told my Lark

Tried a radial LED with rear facing elements and the difference was amazing. I actually got LESS LIGHT! What a waste of money. I understand the units sold for the Avanti by our friend Bob Ziff are well engineered but every LED and lighting specialist I contacted said "don't bother!". LEDs in new cars are engineered for brightness we can't achieve in our 45-year old or older cars. Waste of money IMHO.

Brooksie

I replaced the sockets and grounded them to the rearmost body bolts in the trunk, in preparation for halogen bulbs. About the same time, I replaced the switches. The result, with standard bulbs, was so much better that I've never used the halogens. Any brighter might be distracting. Mike M.

What car was this, and how did you replace the sockets? My one attempt at replacing a socket in a Studebaker potmetal light housing resulted in dismal failure (and some cussing)

nate

I've replaced two in 55 coupe housings.

And they can now?

I tried to make 6V LED lights for my car and ended up dimmer.

The Amish folks here in Southern Maryland use LED tail lights on their horse drawn buggies. They are usually powered by a 12V car battery, which probably stays charged longer with them. They are pretty bright, even in day light. Mike M.

My point exactly... That's why I don't use the brakes

"Rick Courtier" wrote... And they can now?

"Jeff Rice" wrote..

Maybe the later LED's are better, but I was not impressed and removed my rear LED's because people could not see the tail lights during the day.

Jeff is the type of person that he invites you over. You get there and unpack all your stuff: Beer, camera equipment, more beer, laptop with GPS (remember this one), some more beer, ReHydration Station, Beer related stuff, Studebaker Sign for him, Beer stuff for him, my cloths, and he takes you to a car show. I follow in my Studebaker.

Upon leaving at night he zips between cars runs though oranges lights, make sure his taillights are weak at best, all so he can make it home to your beer first!

Rick (finding my way in the dark without GPS) Courtier

Would think you could follow the scent of the beer you brought up

Bob40...never cared for beer but could sniff out a open bottle of Wild Turkey at 100 yards.

Are we all talking about using red LEDs or the white ones for the tail/brake lights?

Wiz.

If you bring up beer, you aren't drinking it right .. Jeff ( a good burp maybe...) Rice

PS: Ask Rick about me taunt> Would think you could follow the scent of the beer you brought up

Led color should match lens color, so use red. White will look pink behind a red lens.

Or...do like Graham Gagne of Atlantic Canada Chapter has done in his 63 Avanti--which is put red LED bulbs in the backup light in tandem with the regular bulb in the taillight. It looks original, what do you use the backup lights for anyway, and the "draw" is fine (no futzing about required) Plus, if you want to return to bone stock no big deal.

Jim Bartley on PEI