What's the deal with LED lights? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

tripleblack · 10-02-2005, 02:00 AM

I am really intersted in purchasing some LEDs for my 69. The only place i know that sells them is Early Classics. Someonne, i cannot remember his name, a few weeks back posted that he had some problems with them. He also mentioed that he was remodifying the LED lights and selling them himself( i think he owned a 69-72 truck restoring business of some sort). If anyone has any pics of the LEDs being used at night i would like to see them, and if anyone has seen them and would comment on their opinion of them it would also be appreciated. Thanks for the info.

camaro__thunder · 10-02-2005, 05:47 AM

They look awesome day or night, expecially with clear lenses. I also have leds in my reverse lights that work the same as the regular tails, it looks unique. I'm sure you will gets some pics soon.

Longhorn Man · 10-02-2005, 06:17 AM

the early classic ones have been discontinued for a bit so they can get rid of the bugs from what I understand.
Jegs has a differaent brand for something like 80 bucks or so.

86swb · 10-02-2005, 08:04 AM

I wonder what kind of problems they were having? $80.00? Wow. That is a lot for an LED Bulb.

Longhorn Man · 10-02-2005, 08:20 AM

You sho8uld see the price of the one he's askin about.
However, this is not just an LED bulb replacement...those things suck and are not DOT legal. They don't put out enough light. These are panels with a butt load of leds and are too bright acording to some. (no such thing IMO)

nitor · 10-02-2005, 08:32 AM

Didn't I see a board member here that was making and selling LEDs for our trucks?

Longhorn Man · 10-02-2005, 08:33 AM

Yep, and he sells them to Classic Ent....one and the same.

1STtimePRo'71 · 10-02-2005, 08:38 AM

Dont these LED's have to be totally rewired with new flashers too?

86swb · 10-02-2005, 10:13 AM

The ones for the rear and turn I have heard do require a more expensive flasher.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 10-02-2005, 11:33 AM

I have a set of leds that I bought from wes at classic heartbeat they look great and are really bright I would recommend them to anyone. The leds came from E.C.E. I bought from wes so that I could have a one on one conversation with someone if something ever happened to them.. I have been having a problem with them not working when the headlight switch is on and the turn signal on,the other problem I have been having is buring out led row's,not sure why... I have put a bunch of $$$ into my blazer just to try to get them to work because they look so killer when lit up... If someone is modifying them please contact me so I can fix my problems as far as E.C.E not putting them out right now I am not sure but I did recieve a new set last week if anyone has any info on the I would really appriciate the help.... Here are a few pics of the tailights along with the led reverse lights I installed..

BobbyK · 10-02-2005, 01:33 PM

Got mine from GMC Pauls about 2 years ago now.They were around $100.00 for the pair.He's since stopped carrying them due to the fact that the manafacturer kept changing the price.
They were made by a Co. called d2m technologies.

I had some intial problems with the LED's(one set was much brighter than the other) but called d2m and they sent me a new pair.no questions asked.No problems since.
I will mention that the LED's did not work initially with my old ratty wireing harness but worked fine after I replaced the harness.

I also replaced the flasher with an electronic one but have since found out MY LED's work fine with a regular flasher as well.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 10-02-2005, 03:08 PM

Hey bobby your leds are different than mine mine have little spacers on the board and the ground wire is not hooked to the socket like yours....Do you happen to know how to get ahold of the manufacturer of the led's???

BobbyK · 10-02-2005, 04:54 PM

Yup,I got thier business card right here.
d2m technologies,(512)828-3661
525 Round Rock West Dr.#275
Round Rock,Tx. 78681

www.d2mtechnologies.com
Randy Aldridge was who I contacted when I had the problem,he's the president.
his e-mail is randy.aldridge@d2mtechnologies.com

Feel free to use the pic's if you want to include them in your e-mail.
Here's a couple more pic's.There are 168 red LED's per side.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 10-02-2005, 06:36 PM

Thanks bobby I will get ahold of them and see if they can help me out...

PICKMUP · 10-03-2005, 07:52 PM

I was selling LED TLs pn the parts board for a discount to members, but I am not on that board now. I guess I had too many sales on here, and got "bumped" off ...I sure wasn't making much money on this stuff.
As I said before, there is a small glitch with a new electronic component added to the LEDs and it is being worked out. I was using & installing these before almost anyone else. I am working with ECE and the manufacturer to get these even better. I found the "bug" immediately, because I pretest all of them before they go out. It took a little while for ECE and others to realize it, even after I alerted them.
The LEDs will bench test OK, but will NOT work correctly in a truck! I have sent several TL housings & wire harness sections to the manufacturer to assist in their testing.

FRENCHBLUE72 · 10-04-2005, 07:24 AM

So frank what would you suggest us little guys do get a set of leds that will work...

PICKMUP · 10-04-2005, 12:28 PM

The green ones are earlier models...red ones with spacers are later. The spacers kept you from over tightening them and cracking the board.
If you are having problems with the new LEDs, I would recommend you first determine if the problem is in your truck or the LEDs. Try them in one or two different trucks, before you start modifying your truck or LEDs. Wiring them direct does not seem to solve the problem.
Sorry, I don't have any more recommendations for parts you bought from other suppliers.

kbs71 · 10-06-2005, 05:49 AM

Go to www.superbrightleds.com and check out what they have. There are many products that can be adapted to our trucks. I used the oval red and amber lamps for truckd and put them under clear lens on my 71. I did have to do some modifying to the bases of the light housings to get them to fit. Or I could have just cut the covers off and used the red and amber lenses and they would have worked fine that wat also.
Just be a little creative in what you do and there are a lot of cheap ways to get what you want. I've got @ $100.00 invested in mine and thats including the new lens and gaskets for the front and rear.

ChevLoRay · 10-06-2005, 01:20 PM

Here's my experience with 'em...

Before I knew about the old board member who was making/selling the conversions to the board members....before he started selling them to ECE, I wanted LED's and bought a pair of 1157-type replacement LED bulb assy's. They have more LED's than those I have bought from Advance auto parts, for example. But, for what I paid, they better be a lot better bulb assy. And, they were and still are. Seems like I paid almost $100 for the two bulbs.

Got mine from a company called Ledtronics. Their website is (was) www.ledtronics.com. Their retail side has a different name, but that was how I got mine.

As for the flasher, just buy an electronic flasher. They're not much more than the original type of flasher. The thermal units rely on current flow to heat up the works to make the bulbs flash. The electronic units do not, so regardless of the types of bulbs and how many you have connected, they flash the same all the time. The website listed says one may need to install a load resistor to simulate the electrical load of normal bulbs.....don't bother. Just get the electronic flasher....Pep Boys, Advance, Auto Zone...etc.

**hilljob26** · 10-07-2005, 07:30 AM

well see,i just won a pair on ebay for 65 bucks

Longhorn Man · 10-07-2005, 08:27 AM

Link?

chevy_fatman · 10-07-2005, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Link?

linky

That's a good dela, I was gonna bid on them but forgot what time they were gonna end

glad you got them man

**hilljob26** · 10-07-2005, 08:26 PM

here ya go
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

70c10 · 10-07-2005, 09:07 PM

LED's are the way to go. Eventually all my bulbs will be swapped out.

10-02-2005, 02:00 AM	#1
tripleblack short sell Ford stock Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 104	What's the deal with LED lights? I am really intersted in purchasing some LEDs for my 69. The only place i know that sells them is Early Classics. Someonne, i cannot remember his name, a few weeks back posted that he had some problems with them. He also mentioed that he was remodifying the LED lights and selling them himself( i think he owned a 69-72 truck restoring business of some sort). If anyone has any pics of the LEDs being used at night i would like to see them, and if anyone has seen them and would comment on their opinion of them it would also be appreciated. Thanks for the info.

10-02-2005, 08:04 AM	#4
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	I wonder what kind of problems they were having? $80.00? Wow. That is a lot for an LED Bulb. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

10-02-2005, 08:32 AM	#6
nitor Too many projects Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Morrow, OH Posts: 344	Didn't I see a board member here that was making and selling LEDs for our trucks? __________________ Jim '55 Chevrolet Pickup '56 Chevrolet Belair '04 Chevrolet Astro '95 Chevrolet Blazer

10-02-2005, 08:38 AM	#8
1STtimePRo'71 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Lake Crystal, MN Posts: 656	Dont these LED's have to be totally rewired with new flashers too? __________________ -Cory 1967 2 Wheel Chevy

10-02-2005, 10:13 AM	#9
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	The ones for the rear and turn I have heard do require a more expensive flasher. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

10-02-2005, 05:47 AM	#2
camaro__thunder Epoxy Primer Friendly Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: South of Houston TEXXXAS Posts: 680	They look awesome day or night, expecially with clear lenses. I also have leds in my reverse lights that work the same as the regular tails, it looks unique. I'm sure you will gets some pics soon. __________________ My Project 69 SWB SHAVED BAGGED DOORED

10-02-2005, 06:17 AM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	the early classic ones have been discontinued for a bit so they can get rid of the bugs from what I understand. Jegs has a differaent brand for something like 80 bucks or so.

10-02-2005, 08:20 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	You sho8uld see the price of the one he's askin about. However, this is not just an LED bulb replacement...those things suck and are not DOT legal. They don't put out enough light. These are panels with a butt load of leds and are too bright acording to some. (no such thing IMO)

10-02-2005, 08:33 AM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Yep, and he sells them to Classic Ent....one and the same.

10-02-2005, 11:33 AM	#10
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	I have a set of leds that I bought from wes at classic heartbeat they look great and are really bright I would recommend them to anyone. The leds came from E.C.E. I bought from wes so that I could have a one on one conversation with someone if something ever happened to them.. I have been having a problem with them not working when the headlight switch is on and the turn signal on,the other problem I have been having is buring out led row's,not sure why... I have put a bunch of $$$ into my blazer just to try to get them to work because they look so killer when lit up... If someone is modifying them please contact me so I can fix my problems as far as E.C.E not putting them out right now I am not sure but I did recieve a new set last week if anyone has any info on the I would really appriciate the help.... Here are a few pics of the tailights along with the led reverse lights I installed.. Attached Images __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

10-02-2005, 01:33 PM	#11
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,771	Got mine from GMC Pauls about 2 years ago now.They were around $100.00 for the pair.He's since stopped carrying them due to the fact that the manafacturer kept changing the price. They were made by a Co. called d2m technologies. I had some intial problems with the LED's(one set was much brighter than the other) but called d2m and they sent me a new pair.no questions asked.No problems since. I will mention that the LED's did not work initially with my old ratty wireing harness but worked fine after I replaced the harness. I also replaced the flasher with an electronic one but have since found out MY LED's work fine with a regular flasher as well. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE Last edited by BobbyK; 10-02-2005 at 01:33 PM.

10-02-2005, 03:08 PM	#12
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	Hey bobby your leds are different than mine mine have little spacers on the board and the ground wire is not hooked to the socket like yours....Do you happen to know how to get ahold of the manufacturer of the led's??? __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

10-02-2005, 04:54 PM	#13
BobbyK Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,Mi. Posts: 1,771	Yup,I got thier business card right here. d2m technologies,(512)828-3661 525 Round Rock West Dr.#275 Round Rock,Tx. 78681 www.d2mtechnologies.com Randy Aldridge was who I contacted when I had the problem,he's the president. his e-mail is randy.aldridge@d2mtechnologies.com Feel free to use the pic's if you want to include them in your e-mail. Here's a couple more pic's.There are 168 red LED's per side. __________________ 71 blazer,350SBC,approx.375HP,700R4,factory GM TPI.Dual electric fans,33x12.5x15 ATR on stock suspension. Petrolia,Ontario,Canada but working in Port Huron,MI. See ALL my Blazer pic's HERE Last edited by BobbyK; 10-02-2005 at 04:57 PM.

10-02-2005, 06:36 PM	#14
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	Thanks bobby I will get ahold of them and see if they can help me out... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

10-03-2005, 07:52 PM	#15
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	I was selling LED TLs pn the parts board for a discount to members, but I am not on that board now. I guess I had too many sales on here, and got "bumped" off ...I sure wasn't making much money on this stuff. As I said before, there is a small glitch with a new electronic component added to the LEDs and it is being worked out. I was using & installing these before almost anyone else. I am working with ECE and the manufacturer to get these even better. I found the "bug" immediately, because I pretest all of them before they go out. It took a little while for ECE and others to realize it, even after I alerted them. The LEDs will bench test OK, but will NOT work correctly in a truck! I have sent several TL housings & wire harness sections to the manufacturer to assist in their testing.



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10-04-2005, 07:24 AM	#16
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,608	So frank what would you suggest us little guys do get a set of leds that will work... __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

10-04-2005, 12:28 PM	#17
PICKMUP "Trucks with Class" Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA Posts: 8,144	The green ones are earlier models...red ones with spacers are later. The spacers kept you from over tightening them and cracking the board. If you are having problems with the new LEDs, I would recommend you first determine if the problem is in your truck or the LEDs. Try them in one or two different trucks, before you start modifying your truck or LEDs. Wiring them direct does not seem to solve the problem. Sorry, I don't have any more recommendations for parts you bought from other suppliers.

10-06-2005, 05:49 AM	#18
kbs71 71 rustless in texas Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 257	Go to www.superbrightleds.com and check out what they have. There are many products that can be adapted to our trucks. I used the oval red and amber lamps for truckd and put them under clear lens on my 71. I did have to do some modifying to the bases of the light housings to get them to fit. Or I could have just cut the covers off and used the red and amber lenses and they would have worked fine that wat also. Just be a little creative in what you do and there are a lot of cheap ways to get what you want. I've got @ $100.00 invested in mine and thats including the new lens and gaskets for the front and rear. __________________ "The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources." "No one really listens to anyone else, and if you try it for a while you'll see why" 71 C-10 LWB presently in a perpetual state of disassembly '96 Toyota (my work car) '04 Mustang Convertable (wife's car & other money pit) Latest aquesition and why my trucks still in the garage covered with junk.. 2010 Aqua Blue metallic 6 speed Manual LS3 2SS/RS Camaro (I want one of these in my truck FAQ here VENDORS here SUPPORT THE BOARD here My second favorite SITE

10-06-2005, 01:20 PM	#19
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Here's my experience with 'em... Before I knew about the old board member who was making/selling the conversions to the board members....before he started selling them to ECE, I wanted LED's and bought a pair of 1157-type replacement LED bulb assy's. They have more LED's than those I have bought from Advance auto parts, for example. But, for what I paid, they better be a lot better bulb assy. And, they were and still are. Seems like I paid almost $100 for the two bulbs. Got mine from a company called Ledtronics. Their website is (was) www.ledtronics.com. Their retail side has a different name, but that was how I got mine. As for the flasher, just buy an electronic flasher. They're not much more than the original type of flasher. The thermal units rely on current flow to heat up the works to make the bulbs flash. The electronic units do not, so regardless of the types of bulbs and how many you have connected, they flash the same all the time. The website listed says one may need to install a load resistor to simulate the electrical load of normal bulbs.....don't bother. Just get the electronic flasher....Pep Boys, Advance, Auto Zone...etc. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was. Last edited by ChevLoRay; 10-06-2005 at 01:24 PM.

10-07-2005, 07:30 AM	#20
hilljob26 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gypsum Kansas 67448 Posts: 1,681	well see,i just won a pair on ebay for 65 bucks __________________ 21 2500hd duramax 58 apache HILLJOB GRAPHIX--for all your graphic needs My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=542497 LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=377348 4l60 to an NP205 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...43#post3697343

10-07-2005, 08:27 AM	#21
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	Link?

10-07-2005, 08:26 PM	#23
hilljob26 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Gypsum Kansas 67448 Posts: 1,681	here ya go http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT __________________ 21 2500hd duramax 58 apache HILLJOB GRAPHIX--for all your graphic needs My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=542497 LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=377348 4l60 to an NP205 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...43#post3697343

10-07-2005, 09:07 PM	#24
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	LED's are the way to go. Eventually all my bulbs will be swapped out. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads Last edited by 70c10; 10-07-2005 at 09:08 PM.

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