Anyone with LED tail lights??? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Tow Me · 12-04-2009, 01:17 PM

I'm looking at some LED tail light conversion and I see Dakota Digital has them for $200 and LMC has them for $120. Anyone used either one?

Pros.... cons?

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=75

http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd563.htm

I'm telling the wife to buy me a set for Xmas.

Tow Me · 12-04-2009, 02:43 PM

Anyone?

Tow Me · 12-04-2009, 03:00 PM

Anyone?

BIG10 · 12-04-2009, 03:31 PM

Custom Classic Trucks did an install recently. Here's the link:

http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...all/index.html

I would like to try them myself.

87 STEPPER · 12-04-2009, 03:44 PM

I dont have em on my truck but i put led bullet lights on my motorcycle and i had to get a specific led flasher unit so they would blink normal w/o it they flash way too fast and from what iv read about it, it can cause damage to the led circuit but if you only have them out back and the front are still normal lamps im not sure how that will work for ya.

Tow Me · 12-04-2009, 03:46 PM

Awesome! I just realized the difference. Dakota Digital has double the LEDs. That makes some sense for the price difference.

BIG10 · 12-04-2009, 03:52 PM

Yeah, the Dakota Digital looks like a nicer, brighter unit.

Oilbrnr · 12-04-2009, 03:59 PM

Still, $200?

BIG10 · 12-04-2009, 04:06 PM

I couldn't justify buying them for myself, but if I found them under the tree on Christmas morning, I wouldn't complain. Plus, when you look at what some people have in there trucks already with suspension, body work, rims, etc., what's another $200 in the grand scheme of things? I think it's a nice touch on a custom truck.

Tow Me · 12-04-2009, 04:45 PM

I'll probably go with the cheaper one. If I don't like them, I can also use it on my crew cab. I don't have custom taillights, and I don't feel like shaving them... so I'll fork out $120 for LEDs for that special touch.

AceX · 12-04-2009, 09:16 PM

Ask and ye shall recieve...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=255157

BLE 'BURBAN · 12-04-2009, 10:42 PM

I've got them in my Suburban behind my tinted lenses.
1. LIGHTS OFF
2. LIGHTS ON
3. PARKING LIGHTS @ NIGHT
4. BRAKE LIGHTS @ NIGHT

bigblock73 · 12-04-2009, 10:45 PM

Wouldn't smoking the TL lenses kind of defeat the purpose of putting LED's behind them to brighten things up?

BLE 'BURBAN · 12-04-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Wouldn't smoking the TL lenses kind of defeat the purpose of putting LED's behind them to brighten things up?

I don't think they're any brighter than the regular bulbs are. there's just more of them in the same area. Besides I was after the longevity of the L.E.D.'s over the regular bulbs. Besides they're still plenty bright enough to be seen clearly from 1000 ft. away at night which, if I recall correctly, is the federally mandated requirement for tail lights on any given vehicle.

Plus it looks good too.

68 TT · 12-05-2009, 10:31 AM

What about just using the direct replacement 1157 LED tail light bulbs?

I found some 39 LED 1157 replacements I was thinking of using and replacing the other lamps in the turn signal and running light system with LED's too.

spaseghost · 12-05-2009, 12:00 PM

i put leds in my s10 and didnt need the blinker relay, but when one came loose after a long day of runnin around the desert it edidnt flash fast either. if you use led bulbs get the ones that have the leds on the top and sides, i think they are called towers.

Tow Me · 12-05-2009, 01:28 PM

Awesome info! Ace that's a great thread! Did you have to use a no load flasher?

Thanks for the photos BLE!

AceX · 12-05-2009, 07:14 PM

No. Factory Flasher, factory fuses, factory wires.

I've had them in my truck for a couple years now and they are still as bright as the day I put them in. They are much brighter than the factory bulbs without a doubt. No moisture issues due to a bad seal or anything ike that either. LMC has found a very solid kit.

piecesparts · 12-06-2009, 12:11 PM

I put the LMC kit in my truck two years ago. It was easy to do and it works quite well. I did not follow their pictures to the tee, I spliced them into the wiring and left the standard bulb sockets inside the fender, so IF I had problems, I could put standard bulbs back in quickly. They work great and are a lot brighter than the factory lighting.

12-04-2009, 01:17 PM	#1
Tow Me Glen Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Roseburg, Oregon Posts: 331	Anyone with LED tail lights??? I'm looking at some LED tail light conversion and I see Dakota Digital has them for $200 and LMC has them for $120. Anyone used either one? Pros.... cons? http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cc/full.aspx?Page=75 http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.c...rod/prd563.htm I'm telling the wife to buy me a set for Xmas. __________________ Glen Simpson Severed Ties - Oregon Roseburg, Oregon 1983 Chevrolet C10 - Ginger Photos 1970 Chevrolet C10 Suburban Build Page: 1970 Pale Shade of Brown Past Trucks 1981 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Project Crewella: 1981 CCSB 1999 Chevrolet K2500 CCSB Photos

12-04-2009, 02:43 PM	#2
Tow Me Glen Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Roseburg, Oregon Posts: 331	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? Anyone? __________________ Glen Simpson Severed Ties - Oregon Roseburg, Oregon 1983 Chevrolet C10 - Ginger Photos 1970 Chevrolet C10 Suburban Build Page: 1970 Pale Shade of Brown Past Trucks 1981 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Project Crewella: 1981 CCSB 1999 Chevrolet K2500 CCSB Photos

12-04-2009, 03:00 PM	#3
Tow Me Glen Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Roseburg, Oregon Posts: 331	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? Anyone? __________________ Glen Simpson Severed Ties - Oregon Roseburg, Oregon 1983 Chevrolet C10 - Ginger Photos 1970 Chevrolet C10 Suburban Build Page: 1970 Pale Shade of Brown Past Trucks 1981 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Project Crewella: 1981 CCSB 1999 Chevrolet K2500 CCSB Photos

12-04-2009, 03:31 PM	#4
BIG10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 314	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? Custom Classic Trucks did an install recently. Here's the link: http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...all/index.html I would like to try them myself. __________________ Jay 1978 Big 10 Silverado, 355 + 700R4 + 3.42 + factory tach + A/C + dual tanks + working cruise control = awesome highway cruiser.

12-04-2009, 03:44 PM	#5
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? I dont have em on my truck but i put led bullet lights on my motorcycle and i had to get a specific led flasher unit so they would blink normal w/o it they flash way too fast and from what iv read about it, it can cause damage to the led circuit but if you only have them out back and the front are still normal lamps im not sure how that will work for ya. __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

12-04-2009, 03:46 PM	#6
Tow Me Glen Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Roseburg, Oregon Posts: 331	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? Awesome! I just realized the difference. Dakota Digital has double the LEDs. That makes some sense for the price difference. __________________ Glen Simpson Severed Ties - Oregon Roseburg, Oregon 1983 Chevrolet C10 - Ginger Photos 1970 Chevrolet C10 Suburban Build Page: 1970 Pale Shade of Brown Past Trucks 1981 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Project Crewella: 1981 CCSB 1999 Chevrolet K2500 CCSB Photos

12-04-2009, 03:52 PM	#7
BIG10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 314	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? Yeah, the Dakota Digital looks like a nicer, brighter unit. __________________ Jay 1978 Big 10 Silverado, 355 + 700R4 + 3.42 + factory tach + A/C + dual tanks + working cruise control = awesome highway cruiser.

12-04-2009, 03:59 PM	#8
Oilbrnr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 390	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? Still, $200? __________________ -Don- '66 C10 w/factory A/C '77 Cheyenne K5 350/465/205 '80 Custom Deluxe K20 350/465/205 '04 Denali XL '05 DMax CCLB 4x Have a Hickey Sidewinder Winch and need the owners/install manual? Send me a PM with your email address and I'll forward you a .pdf

12-04-2009, 04:06 PM	#9
BIG10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 314	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? I couldn't justify buying them for myself, but if I found them under the tree on Christmas morning, I wouldn't complain. Plus, when you look at what some people have in there trucks already with suspension, body work, rims, etc., what's another $200 in the grand scheme of things? I think it's a nice touch on a custom truck. __________________ Jay 1978 Big 10 Silverado, 355 + 700R4 + 3.42 + factory tach + A/C + dual tanks + working cruise control = awesome highway cruiser.

12-04-2009, 04:45 PM	#10
Tow Me Glen Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Roseburg, Oregon Posts: 331	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? I'll probably go with the cheaper one. If I don't like them, I can also use it on my crew cab. I don't have custom taillights, and I don't feel like shaving them... so I'll fork out $120 for LEDs for that special touch. __________________ Glen Simpson Severed Ties - Oregon Roseburg, Oregon 1983 Chevrolet C10 - Ginger Photos 1970 Chevrolet C10 Suburban Build Page: 1970 Pale Shade of Brown Past Trucks 1981 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Project Crewella: 1981 CCSB 1999 Chevrolet K2500 CCSB Photos

12-04-2009, 09:16 PM	#11
AceX >130dB Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,130	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? Ask and ye shall recieve... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=255157 __________________ Living Life @ 130dB LED Tail Light Conversion; How-to Friend. Father. Brother. RIP El Jay ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLICK HERE and for less than $0.07 a day, you too can help support and build a better forum.

12-04-2009, 10:42 PM	#12
BLE 'BURBAN In the Forgotten far North. Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 2,627	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? I've got them in my Suburban behind my tinted lenses. 1. LIGHTS OFF 2. LIGHTS ON 3. PARKING LIGHTS @ NIGHT 4. BRAKE LIGHTS @ NIGHT Attached Images __________________ 1987 R3500 CREW CAB DUALLY (BIG RED)Acquired 06/12/2015 1990 chevy suburban V2500 5.7L My cluster Mods-Nov 2007 overhead console Stereo install Round 2 Aug 2009 Heated/turn signal mirror upgrade

12-04-2009, 10:45 PM	#13
bigblock73 yeller Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 13,826	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? Wouldn't smoking the TL lenses kind of defeat the purpose of putting LED's behind them to brighten things up? __________________ Jeff 73-87.com 73-87.com Facebook page 73-87 cab corner 6x9 speaker brackets for sale 67-72 cab corner speaker brackets for sale 47-54 cab corner speaker brackets for sale

12-05-2009, 10:31 AM	#15
68 TT Still plays with trucks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 3,556	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? What about just using the direct replacement 1157 LED tail light bulbs? I found some 39 LED 1157 replacements I was thinking of using and replacing the other lamps in the turn signal and running light system with LED's too. __________________ miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars

12-05-2009, 12:00 PM	#16
spaseghost certified tard Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: grand junction, colorado Posts: 182	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? i put leds in my s10 and didnt need the blinker relay, but when one came loose after a long day of runnin around the desert it edidnt flash fast either. if you use led bulbs get the ones that have the leds on the top and sides, i think they are called towers. __________________ 85 swb bbc 5% tint 16.356 @ 84.81 8/07/09 4800 Ft., bad timing, carb tune, and traction, fugg it. 16.169 @ 84.29 8/28/09 good timing, no carb tune, some traction... 06 Equinox LT AWD, wife's and family ride 03 Mustang V6, CAI, Duals, Pullies, Programmer, Short Throw, wife's dream car?! 90 Eagle Talon, other project / space taker, GOT head!! 08 Silverado 2500 HD, the bad ass work truck



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12-05-2009, 01:28 PM	#17
Tow Me Glen Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Roseburg, Oregon Posts: 331	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? Awesome info! Ace that's a great thread! Did you have to use a no load flasher? Thanks for the photos BLE! __________________ Glen Simpson Severed Ties - Oregon Roseburg, Oregon 1983 Chevrolet C10 - Ginger Photos 1970 Chevrolet C10 Suburban Build Page: 1970 Pale Shade of Brown Past Trucks 1981 GMC Crew Cab Short Bed Project Crewella: 1981 CCSB 1999 Chevrolet K2500 CCSB Photos

12-05-2009, 07:14 PM	#18
AceX >130dB Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 2,130	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? No. Factory Flasher, factory fuses, factory wires. I've had them in my truck for a couple years now and they are still as bright as the day I put them in. They are much brighter than the factory bulbs without a doubt. No moisture issues due to a bad seal or anything ike that either. LMC has found a very solid kit. __________________ Living Life @ 130dB LED Tail Light Conversion; How-to Friend. Father. Brother. RIP El Jay ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLICK HERE and for less than $0.07 a day, you too can help support and build a better forum.

12-06-2009, 12:11 PM	#19
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Anyone with LED tail lights??? I put the LMC kit in my truck two years ago. It was easy to do and it works quite well. I did not follow their pictures to the tee, I spliced them into the wiring and left the standard bulb sockets inside the fender, so IF I had problems, I could put standard bulbs back in quickly. They work great and are a lot brighter than the factory lighting. __________________ Frank

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