Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BADPURPLE70CHEVY · 05-12-2012, 06:27 PM

Thought of upgrading to led rear tail lights. Wanna see some pics please of yours? Pros? Cons if any? Likes? Dislikes? Thnx

BMERDOC · 05-12-2012, 06:56 PM

Haven't done it yet but there is only one that I'd go with...Digitails, Spagetti Enginering.

VID 20101024 080619 - YouTube

http://www.digi-tails.com/1967-72-Chevy-Truck/

BADPURPLE70CHEVY · 05-13-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMERDOC

Haven't done it yet but there is only one that I'd go with...Digitails, Spagetti Enginering.
VID 20101024 080619 - YouTube

http://www.digi-tails.com/1967-72-Chevy-Truck/

Nice...any more pics?

**special-K** · 05-13-2012, 11:46 AM

I'm torn on this. Yes,they are safer,and people seem to be worse drivers these days. But,I love the simple good old days vibe these trucks represent for me. The lights that came on them have worked fine for 40 years or more. Should I change to enable unconscious people to remain unconscious? I guess on a truck with all the other modern upgrades,such as computerized FI engine and O/D transmission,I would use them. Haven't gone that route for the same reason as I stated before,though.
And aren't they l.e.d. or LED? I capitalize abbreviations sometimes rather than use periods,but either way it's so it doesn't look like I invented a new word or misspelled an old one.

Andy4639 · 05-13-2012, 01:29 PM

The LED'S or L.E.D.'S whatever doesn't have anything to do with the old school look because you can't tell it until you hit the brakes they are LED's!
Should I change to enable unconscious people to see me stopping...you dang right I do. I put way to much work & money into my truck not to make it noticable weather moving are stopping!

Here is mine working. I guess I shouldn't have added the third brake light either?

**jocko** · 05-13-2012, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by special-K

I'm torn on this. Yes,they are safer,and people seem to be worse drivers these days. But,I love the simple good old days vibe these trucks represent for me. The lights that came on them have worked fine for 40 years or more. Should I change to enable unconscious people to remain unconscious? I guess on a truck with all the other modern upgrades,such as computerized FI engine and O/D transmission,I would use them. Haven't gone that route for the same reason as I stated before,though.
And aren't they l.e.d. or LED? I capitalize abbreviations sometimes rather than use periods,but either way it's so it doesn't look like I invented a new word or misspelled an old one.

i have the same dilemma specialK - my 66 came with the plug in LED bulbs (i.e. not a full LED panel) and I ended up going back to good ol 1157s. I do understand the appeal, and there probably is a small safety enhancement, but I guess I like old trucks because they ARE old and I enjoy keeping them that way, externally at least anyways!

The ones posted above look real nice and are certainly more visible! As for safety - I do usually go to the trouble of taking my housings apart and re-coating or re-painting the inside metal with some reflective paint - it really does make a pretty noticeable difference when using the old style bulbs - oh, and new lenses make a world of difference also - these trucks weren't as dim new when all their red lenses were new. Ok, I'm done. And I'm still torn!

**bignbad** · 05-14-2012, 02:22 PM

just get led bulbs might even save some $$ theres someone on this board thats has them got them for this site
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...rake-turn.html

Tmwoodall · 05-14-2012, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bignbad

just get led bulbs might even save some $$ theres someone on this board thats has them got them for this site
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...rake-turn.html

Those spider bulbs seem like a nice compromise. Wonder if they'd clear the housing?

71meangreenc10 · 05-13-2012, 01:44 PM

I have the ones from LMC and they are the perfect plug and play unit. I have not changed the flasher and they work great. Very bright.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?page=71 pn 37-0341.

I wish they made them like that for the burb.....

Smitty

gysgtc · 05-13-2012, 04:26 PM

Andy4639, where did you get yours from?

Andy4639 · 05-13-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gysgtc

Andy4639, where did you get yours from?

From ecp
Early classic pickups. My wife bought them a few yewars ago for me for christmas.

http://www.earlyclassic.com/

davepl · 05-14-2012, 04:23 PM

FWIW, I know three people that have been rear-ended in these trucks. Odds are you know one too. So yeah, the factory taillights "work" depending on what you definition of "work" is.

It's a completely personal choice, but the super-expando-LED-dance ones are a little too much for me. But a brighter system with a faster ramp time (LEDs come on instantly, they don't "warm up" like an incandescent) probably does increase safety.

Blacked-out taillights, on the other hand, scream "ram me". It's like if everyone else was driving with their sunglasses on at night...

lil hoodlum · 05-14-2012, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davepl

. . . Blacked-out taillights, on the other hand, scream "ram me". It's like if everyone else was driving with their sunglasses on at night...

I never quite understood the whole "murdered look" with the smoked and/or blacked-out lenses. I allways thought that would be a great way to get t-boned at night.

But back to the topic. I am also torn between the old ways/ original vs. the new ways/ modern. I think, in the interest of not getting rear-ended, the LEDs are a good compromise.

Also something to think about, there are alot of careless distracted drivers on the roads now a days. Not to mention that there are also drunk or "high" people on the roadways.

Keith

leadfoot-vanner · 05-14-2012, 07:18 PM

i used the led bulbs before that fit in the "old" sockets i liked how bright they were.. but they made my blue dot lenses not illuminate and where black dots lol ..

**Dieselwrencher** · 05-14-2012, 08:11 PM

I personally like the LED's but haven't gotten far enough to purchase a set yet.

JointTech · 05-14-2012, 08:53 PM

blackouts arent legal at night most places. In the old minitruck days we have velcro on them to pull them off at night.

Andy4639 · 05-14-2012, 11:27 PM

One other thing on brake lights. You need to adjust the switch on the column to come on as soon as the pedal is pushed not 3/4 of the way,1/2 way but as soon as you put pressure on the pedal. The sooner the better what I like to think. The sooner the person behind u know you are on the brakes the better!
I have seen trucks the brakes never lite up because the brake switch was not aligned right with the pedal.

**Already Gone** · 05-15-2012, 12:03 AM

ttt

hopped up · 05-15-2012, 12:52 AM

i agree with special k, LED dont look right to me on these old trucks. i like the old factory lights. dont like third brake lights either
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Andy4639 · 05-15-2012, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hopped up

i agree with special k, LED dont look right to me on these old trucks. i like the old factory lights. dont like third brake lights either
Posted via Mobile Device

That's OK, I probably wouldn't like your truck either, that's why I built mine I guess!
This would be a very boring place if we all liked the same thing don't you think.
But in all honesty, how does a LED light take away from the classic look of these trucks. Please explain that to me. I have stock factory lens in it how and the world does the inside part you can't see take away from the truck's look's itself?

elf w/capital T · 05-15-2012, 02:53 AM

as long as they don't light up pink or purple, thats why i havent got any yet only for the thing of fading and looking like i have pink taillights..... anyone ever heard of that happening??

502ms · 05-15-2012, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elf w/capital T

as long as they don't light up pink or purple, thats why i havent got any yet only for the thing of fading and looking like i have pink taillights..... anyone ever heard of that happening??

No. Won't happen.

The fleet bed lights are inserted in the stock location. The step bed lights are made of the same material the replacement lenses are, plus LEDs are much cooler in temperature, so there is nothing to burn out or fade due to excessive heat. I have switched back and forth between LED and stock only because of a ground issue I was troubleshooting with my bed....now that I have rewired my truck, I will be reinstalling them. They do not look like those stupid altezza-style rice rocket crap that has made it's way into domestic cars and trucks...they still keep the old look with new form and function...classy meets technology, yet retains original look and feel.

Trust me, been doing this too long to do it wrong...especially since I am paid to do it for clients.
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elf w/capital T · 05-15-2012, 10:33 AM

gotchya, thanks for the input 502ms!

502ms · 05-15-2012, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elf w/capital T

gotchya, thanks for the input 502ms!

Always a pleasure. I can appreciate you guys not butchering the integrity of the small things...
Posted via Mobile Device

Andy4639 · 05-15-2012, 02:40 PM

I don't build anything to suit others either I guess. That's why I have the thrid brake light!

05-12-2012, 06:27 PM	#1
BADPURPLE70CHEVY 406 Powered Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: waynesville,n.c. Posts: 877	Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours Thought of upgrading to led rear tail lights. Wanna see some pics please of yours? Pros? Cons if any? Likes? Dislikes? Thnx __________________ 70 GMC 68 c10 2002 silverado 72 4x4

05-13-2012, 11:46 AM	#4
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,852	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours I'm torn on this. Yes,they are safer,and people seem to be worse drivers these days. But,I love the simple good old days vibe these trucks represent for me. The lights that came on them have worked fine for 40 years or more. Should I change to enable unconscious people to remain unconscious? I guess on a truck with all the other modern upgrades,such as computerized FI engine and O/D transmission,I would use them. Haven't gone that route for the same reason as I stated before,though. And aren't they l.e.d. or LED? I capitalize abbreviations sometimes rather than use periods,but either way it's so it doesn't look like I invented a new word or misspelled an old one. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

05-13-2012, 01:29 PM	#5
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours The LED'S or L.E.D.'S whatever doesn't have anything to do with the old school look because you can't tell it until you hit the brakes they are LED's! Should I change to enable unconscious people to see me stopping...you dang right I do. I put way to much work & money into my truck not to make it noticable weather moving are stopping! Here is mine working. I guess I shouldn't have added the third brake light either? __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

05-14-2012, 02:22 PM	#7
bignbad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: highspire,pa Posts: 423	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours just get led bulbs might even save some $$ theres someone on this board thats has them got them for this site http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...rake-turn.html __________________ '72 chevy k20 '06 H-D Springer softail http://www.bluemooncruisers.com/ http://www.enginecycle.com/ ~Eric

05-13-2012, 01:44 PM	#9
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,179	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours I have the ones from LMC and they are the perfect plug and play unit. I have not changed the flasher and they work great. Very bright. http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?page=71 pn 37-0341. I wish they made them like that for the burb..... Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time 70 G20 Red-E-Kamp Conversion "I'm your Boogy Van"

05-13-2012, 04:26 PM	#10
gysgtc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Sutton, WV Posts: 340	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours Andy4639, where did you get yours from?

05-14-2012, 04:23 PM	#12
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours FWIW, I know three people that have been rear-ended in these trucks. Odds are you know one too. So yeah, the factory taillights "work" depending on what you definition of "work" is. It's a completely personal choice, but the super-expando-LED-dance ones are a little too much for me. But a brighter system with a faster ramp time (LEDs come on instantly, they don't "warm up" like an incandescent) probably does increase safety. Blacked-out taillights, on the other hand, scream "ram me". It's like if everyone else was driving with their sunglasses on at night... __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

05-14-2012, 07:18 PM	#14
leadfoot-vanner Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: torrington,connecticut Posts: 40	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours i used the led bulbs before that fit in the "old" sockets i liked how bright they were.. but they made my blue dot lenses not illuminate and where black dots lol ..

05-14-2012, 08:11 PM	#15
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,139	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours I personally like the LED's but haven't gotten far enough to purchase a set yet. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

05-14-2012, 08:53 PM	#16
JointTech Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Mission Viejo, CA Posts: 1,856	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours blackouts arent legal at night most places. In the old minitruck days we have velcro on them to pull them off at night. __________________ 72 C20 Long Bed SB350 TH400 14 bolt rear end Extremely boring build thread

05-14-2012, 11:27 PM	#17
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours One other thing on brake lights. You need to adjust the switch on the column to come on as soon as the pedal is pushed not 3/4 of the way,1/2 way but as soon as you put pressure on the pedal. The sooner the better what I like to think. The sooner the person behind u know you are on the brakes the better! I have seen trucks the brakes never lite up because the brake switch was not aligned right with the pedal. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

05-15-2012, 12:03 AM	#18
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,141	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours ttt __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021

05-15-2012, 12:52 AM	#19
hopped up Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: los angeles,ca Posts: 3,617	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours i agree with special k, LED dont look right to me on these old trucks. i like the old factory lights. dont like third brake lights either Posted via Mobile Device

05-15-2012, 02:53 AM	#21
elf w/capital T Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 994	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours as long as they don't light up pink or purple, thats why i havent got any yet only for the thing of fading and looking like i have pink taillights..... anyone ever heard of that happening??

05-15-2012, 10:33 AM	#23
elf w/capital T Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: North Carolina Posts: 994	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours gotchya, thanks for the input 502ms!



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05-15-2012, 02:40 PM	#25
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Considering Led Rear lights..lets see yours I don't build anything to suit others either I guess. That's why I have the thrid brake light! __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

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