LED Reverse Lights - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dznucks · 11-19-2012, 07:48 AM

This topic was being discussed in another post. Several folks requested I start a new post with how I made very expensive LED reverse lights.

I had a set of 30 LED panels left over from another project. I decided to custom fab them to fit into the reverse housing. The first thing I noticed was that you could fit two of the panels into each housing, so I doubled the cost of the project.

The first thing I did was use the clear light lens to trace out its profile onto some thin sheetmetal. Next I cut an opening into the sheet metal for both LED panels to fit, then glued them in place with some adhesive material that isnt available to the general public.

The second set of LED panels I bought came with the adapter plug that allows you to plug them into the 1156 style plug in our reverse housings. I had to do alittle soldering to connect both panels and extend the wires. The LEDs sit very close to the lens, as opposed to being set further inside the housing like the original bulb.

Here are a few pic's.

EDIT: the second pic is with the LED on the left, regular stock bulb on the right. Can you see the difference?

*bk2life* · 11-19-2012, 08:25 AM

awesome!!

they work well in interior lighting also

dznucks · 11-19-2012, 08:32 AM

I bet they would, but i figured that one out already too.

You can buy a stock style bulb to go into the overhead light that has alot of the same bright LED's on it, if you put foil tape behind the bulb in the housing it works very well. I also have the under dash lights wired into the overhead light with multi-LED bulbs in them. All combined, it lights up the cab and cab floor extremely well without having to fab or customize anything.

The only lights in my truck that arent LED's are the headlights, which are Cibie's with extremely bright 75/65W bulbs.

**Tom Vogel** · 11-19-2012, 10:15 AM

Wher did you get the LED bulbs for the underdash (coutesy) lights? Got an order or id number?

dznucks · 11-19-2012, 11:57 AM

I got them from superbrightleds.com. I cant remember what base style it took. Look for bulbs that have all the LED pointing in the same dierction, opposite the base.

They look similar to this bulb. Double check the base style and ensure the bulb diameter will fit into the courtesy light housing.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...ty-19-led/809/

67c10rustbuket · 11-19-2012, 03:46 PM

Nice I like it. Did the led panels come from superbright also? Do you have a part number of the ones you used? Thanks.
Posted via Mobile Device

dznucks · 11-19-2012, 04:45 PM

Yes they did come from superbright. You could easily get away with one panel, but why when you can have two at twice the price.

The panel comes with the adapter to plug into the 1156 outlet.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...a15s-base/838/

Andy4639 · 11-19-2012, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dznucks

Yes they did come from superbright. You could easily get away with one panel, but why when you can have two at twice the price.

The panel comes with the adapter to plug into the 1156 outlet.

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...a15s-base/838/

Thanks, man that is a great idea. I'll order some soon.

Tinkermc · 11-19-2012, 06:52 PM

Well I must admit you are very convincing and I just ordered a load from them

dznucks · 11-19-2012, 09:48 PM

So ya'll got me going back through superbrightleds website. check this out!

I bought a "festoon" buld that had alot of the bright LED's all the way around it. thats why i used the foil tape to help reflect the light. But this is really cool for the interior light....

http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...toon-base/839/

It would be brighter than what i installed. Same panel that I used in the reverse lights, a few dabs of hot glue would hold it in place.

dznucks · 11-19-2012, 09:56 PM

I should also share how i did my side marker lights with LED's.

If you take your side marker housings, both front and rear, and clean the insides of the housings out with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel using your finger....you can take 1/2" strips of foil tape and stick them inside the housings with your finger. It takes several strips and some patience, but once you get it stuck all the way around it will make your side marker LED's even brighter. Basically, you want to turn the backs of the housings into a reflector. Then find the bulbs that will fit with as many bright LED's you can find to fit.

IF you also wire both front and rear side markers to flash with your turn signals, you'll really stand out in traffic.

11-19-2012, 07:48 AM	#1
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	LED Reverse Lights This topic was being discussed in another post. Several folks requested I start a new post with how I made very expensive LED reverse lights. I had a set of 30 LED panels left over from another project. I decided to custom fab them to fit into the reverse housing. The first thing I noticed was that you could fit two of the panels into each housing, so I doubled the cost of the project. The first thing I did was use the clear light lens to trace out its profile onto some thin sheetmetal. Next I cut an opening into the sheet metal for both LED panels to fit, then glued them in place with some adhesive material that isnt available to the general public. The second set of LED panels I bought came with the adapter plug that allows you to plug them into the 1156 style plug in our reverse housings. I had to do alittle soldering to connect both panels and extend the wires. The LEDs sit very close to the lens, as opposed to being set further inside the housing like the original bulb. Here are a few pic's. EDIT: the second pic is with the LED on the left, regular stock bulb on the right. Can you see the difference? Attached Images Last edited by dznucks; 11-19-2012 at 09:43 PM.

11-19-2012, 08:25 AM	#2
bk2life Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: phx, az Posts: 868	Re: LED Reverse Lights awesome!! they work well in interior lighting also

11-19-2012, 08:32 AM	#3
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: LED Reverse Lights I bet they would, but i figured that one out already too. You can buy a stock style bulb to go into the overhead light that has alot of the same bright LED's on it, if you put foil tape behind the bulb in the housing it works very well. I also have the under dash lights wired into the overhead light with multi-LED bulbs in them. All combined, it lights up the cab and cab floor extremely well without having to fab or customize anything. The only lights in my truck that arent LED's are the headlights, which are Cibie's with extremely bright 75/65W bulbs.

11-19-2012, 10:15 AM	#4
Tom Vogel 2WD Jimmy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davis County, Utah Posts: 2,565	Re: LED Reverse Lights Wher did you get the LED bulbs for the underdash (coutesy) lights? Got an order or id number?

11-19-2012, 11:57 AM	#5
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: LED Reverse Lights I got them from superbrightleds.com. I cant remember what base style it took. Look for bulbs that have all the LED pointing in the same dierction, opposite the base. They look similar to this bulb. Double check the base style and ensure the bulb diameter will fit into the courtesy light housing. http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...ty-19-led/809/

11-19-2012, 03:46 PM	#6
67c10rustbuket Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mustang, Oklahoma Posts: 2,806	Re: LED Reverse Lights Nice I like it. Did the led panels come from superbright also? Do you have a part number of the ones you used? Thanks. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Dan <---(my name) 67 SWB C10 project "GEORGIA"-59 Brookwood 2dr wag...Next project-03 Tahoe 4x4 5.3 family ride-07 Hondur Accord, commuter car

11-19-2012, 04:45 PM	#7
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: LED Reverse Lights Yes they did come from superbright. You could easily get away with one panel, but why when you can have two at twice the price. The panel comes with the adapter to plug into the 1156 outlet. http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...a15s-base/838/

11-19-2012, 06:52 PM	#9
Tinkermc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Farmville, Va Posts: 3,026	Re: LED Reverse Lights Well I must admit you are very convincing and I just ordered a load from them

11-19-2012, 09:48 PM	#10
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: LED Reverse Lights So ya'll got me going back through superbrightleds website. check this out! I bought a "festoon" buld that had alot of the bright LED's all the way around it. thats why i used the foil tape to help reflect the light. But this is really cool for the interior light.... http://www.superbrightleds.com/morei...toon-base/839/ It would be brighter than what i installed. Same panel that I used in the reverse lights, a few dabs of hot glue would hold it in place. Last edited by dznucks; 11-19-2012 at 10:02 PM.

11-19-2012, 09:56 PM	#11
dznucks Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Smyrna, Ga Posts: 1,647	Re: LED Reverse Lights I should also share how i did my side marker lights with LED's. If you take your side marker housings, both front and rear, and clean the insides of the housings out with rubbing alcohol on a paper towel using your finger....you can take 1/2" strips of foil tape and stick them inside the housings with your finger. It takes several strips and some patience, but once you get it stuck all the way around it will make your side marker LED's even brighter. Basically, you want to turn the backs of the housings into a reflector. Then find the bulbs that will fit with as many bright LED's you can find to fit. IF you also wire both front and rear side markers to flash with your turn signals, you'll really stand out in traffic. Last edited by dznucks; 11-19-2012 at 10:03 PM.



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