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#1 |
SKINNY TIRES RULE!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 11,049
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The other day I picked up a set of APC Halogen 1157 replacement bulbs. The guy at NAPA said that they are suppose to be much brighter than the standard incandescent bulb. I put one in and discovered it was about half as bright. When I put the tail light lens back on, it was hard to tell that the lights were even on.
What other options (affordable & without modifications) do we have for 1157 replacements. I have heard that some of the LED's aren't very bright either. Who has what brand(s) and how do they work? I'd like to have brighter brake lights than stock, especially since traffic is so wonderful in Seattle and everyone is in such a hurry. ![]()
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bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 2,746
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I have LED's in mine about 120 of them per. They are plenty bright and have a plug wired to the board that plugs into the 1157 socket. I got mine from Ryan but I think him or his partner sell them through Early Classic.
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![]() ![]() 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI |
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#3 |
SKINNY TIRES RULE!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 11,049
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Wow, found them on the EC web site. http://www.earlyclassic.com/ledtaillights.html Those look like a good solution. It says that it requires an electronic flasher. What is that and does it just plug in to the current flasher space?
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bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L |
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#4 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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If you look at your fuse panel under the dash, you'll see two silver metal things plugged in. Those are your flashers, one for thurn signals, the other for the 4 ways.
You can get the electric ones at NAPA, just be sure to pull one of yours out and bring it in...they will probably argue that you need a 3 prong when you only need a two prong unit. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 2,746
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Yes it just plugs into same spot , looks the same also. I always use the electronic ones anyway.
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![]() ![]() 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI |
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#6 |
SKINNY TIRES RULE!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 11,049
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Hum, I bought one of the "extra loud" flashers a while back. I wonder if it is electronic? I'll start savin' my $ for the LED lights. $129 isn't exactly pocket change!
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bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Vacaville, CA
Posts: 2,746
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Extra loud usually means mechanical, one of the reasons I use electronic.
The main reason for useing electronic is that the LED's don't use that much power, mechanical ones use current draw to time the flashes(simple explanation) but you probably can get by with a mechanical with the amount of current the fronts draw. Its not going to hurt the LED's to try it anyway.
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![]() ![]() 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI Last edited by neonlarry; 08-19-2004 at 04:32 PM. |
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#8 |
KEEP ON TRUCKING
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: martinsville va
Posts: 2,563
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those bulbs should work fine.but if its hard to see the lights then you may have a bad ground/faded lense.i installed new lens and houseings from gmc paul theyre not high and with the 1157 the brake lights will blind you at night and the tail lights are real bright.
i would check it out before going with led cause thats not going to fix it if its the lense or bad ground
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72 cheyenne 2wd lwb 71 k20 sons bassett va |
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#9 |
SKINNY TIRES RULE!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 11,049
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I don't think there is any problems with the wiring. I also tried them in my '69 with the same results. I think the APC Halogens just aren't a high quality product - they were $6 for the pair and painted blue. I was going to go with the 1157 LED replacements, but all they had was red and I've got the original red lenses. The halogens got super hot too, within a matter of seconds. I'd be afraid it would melt the lenses if you were sitting at a stop light too long.
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bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L |
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#10 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 398
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I use 2057 anytime I need to replace a burnt 1157. They are slightly brighter than a 1157. I first read about this in one of the car mags many years ago.
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#11 |
Old Skool Club
![]() Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas"
Posts: 10,880
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There's a company called Ledtronics, that sells replacement bulbs with LED's, instead of being incandescent. They're also not cheap at something like $90 for a pair. But, they're bright. I have a couple of the APC LED bulbs. They're not worth the cardboard used in the packaging. The units sold by ECE were first offered on the board, by one of the members. ECE was impressed and the price that they sell for isn't bad.
Saw some tail lights on a new Range Rover. They're round, but LED's. The upper looks amber, until you hit the brakes. Then, they're red. Turn signals are two semi-halo rings on the outer edge of the upper lights. They're cool lookin'.
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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. |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Beeville, Texas
Posts: 1,943
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I had the same problem with mine. But sometimes the right brake light didn't work so I had to walk over and hit the bedside with my fist and it would come on. My Mom and Sister started laughing like crazy.
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RJD 1984 Chevrolet C30 welding truck 454/SM465 1977 GMC C15 pickup 350/TH350 1970 Chevrolet C20 pickup 350/TH400 1970 Chevrolet K20 Suburban 454/TH350 1969 GMC 8500 478M V6/5 spd winch truck Last edited by Robert1970C20rstbukt; 08-19-2004 at 10:21 PM. |
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#13 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Delano, MN
Posts: 630
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I bought the same APC LED taillights and they ARE brighter, however this requires some modifications. First its important to note that they're made by APC and this company, in spite of its name, caters specifically to riceburners. This means that, of course, they are poorly designed. I can tell you specifically how to modify them when I go home, I had put a pair in my '72 after modifying them (requries swapping the resistors over, cutting 2 traces and a couple dabs of solder) and now put them in my '83 K5 since the '72 has been retired. They do work wonderfully bright once modified, the way that they are wired from APC is so screwed up I don't understand why they sell them as 1157 replacement lights unless somehow hondas wire the three wires differently. Also they are *technically* not supposed to be used on the street (no dot approval for the riceburners, suprise suprise...) but I haven't gotten a second look from a single cop thats passed by either one of the trucks they've been installed on.
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 901
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researching my Philips lighting specs ....# 2057 = 2.10/.48 amps = 32/2 Candle Power;
#1157 = 2.10/.59 amps = 32/3 C.P. and #2357 = 2.23/.59 amps = 40/3 C.P.... So it would appear that the #2357 would give significantly brighter brake/turn lites...
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'71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal). |
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Washington State
Posts: 8,834
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The outlay of cash will payback in the long haul, considering how long the LED's last..
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1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo |
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#16 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 398
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Wow. Thanks GMC Jim. I'll try 2357 next time.
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#17 | |
I love doing it topless
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: MossyRock, WA
Posts: 493
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Quote:
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Mikey "If you can read this, thank a teacher; If you are reading it in English, thank a soldier." ![]() |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Corinth,TX
Posts: 444
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Less expensive solution maybe......
http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/aut1157/ Brake/Turn/Tail for 12/14 Volt Applications AUT1157-0ER-014V $24.50 ea Available in both Red and Yellow Turn Signal for 12/14 Volt Applications AUT1156-0UY-014V $29.50 Check it Out |
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#19 |
SKINNY TIRES RULE!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 11,049
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dallas, thanks for the link. Those look like a viable solution. I like the fact that they have LEDs that point out to the sides to light up the housing.
Why are all the LEDs colored? Will it be a problem if I'm using the stock red lens? I don't want to run clear lenses on this truck.
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bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L |
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#20 |
Mike
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: west chester pa
Posts: 2,474
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1) For best results, LED lamp output color should be same as Lens/ Filter color above the lamp.
2) LED Lamps shown are for most standard applications. 3) Some applications may require custom or modified configuration of the LED Lamp. 4) LED Lamps shown are for direct DC or AC voltage supply. External resistor, relays or special circuits may require special LED Lamps { See # 1 aboveThis is at the bottom of ledtronics website}
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70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires |
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#21 |
More Cowbell....
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Puckett, MS
Posts: 3,569
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Another one you might want to look at is Jam Straight. They are made in Mississippi and they are brighter than APC. I use them in everything. Here's the link:
Jam Straight
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There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank ) bucket |
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#22 |
"Trucks with Class"
![]() Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: OLYMPIA, WA, USA
Posts: 8,132
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LED's in stock
If you stop by, I'll show you a set working in my blazer...give you a few little installation tips, and sell you a set for less than ECE!!!
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#23 |
SKINNY TIRES RULE!
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Bothell, WA
Posts: 11,049
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Frank, I was going to send you an e-mail and see what you carry. It's going to be a while before I can get the $ together, but when I do, I'll definately check with you first.
In the mean time, I returned the lame APC bulbs and picked up a set of 2357's for $1.99! I'll see how they work.
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bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L |
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#24 |
its all about the +6 inches
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Hilliard Ohio
Posts: 2,693
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Jegs also has a conversion kit, it costs 100 bucks. I have yet to see one, but I might have to get a set one day.
http://www.jegs.com/cgi-bin/ncommerc...16&prmenbr=361 |
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