Led brake/running lights? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wwotr · 04-17-2009, 03:29 PM

I'd like to run some clear lenses in the back of my 72 GMC (Brake/Tailight/Back-up, and use colored Glkass Bulbs or the "Chrome" Bulbs.
I REALLY don't want to get into LED,s and have to beef-up the wirring, and everything that goes into running them.
For those of you that have a similar set-up, how do you like it?
What were some of the pitfalls/problems (if any) in the begining?
Any help with where you got your lenses, what Bulbs you run and where you got them would be appreciated.

Roger

MrC1 · 04-17-2009, 03:31 PM

Why would you need to beef up wiring to run LEDs? Don't they use LESS power?

Sinister · 04-17-2009, 03:32 PM

I got a set of clear lenses with red bulbs you can have for $20.

wwotr · 04-17-2009, 03:37 PM

Sinister, are the BOTH the Lenses AND Back-up lens above it?
Why are you selling them?

As far as the "Beefing up", there was something that you have to wire in,
(I can't recall what its called right now).
If I remember correctly, it wasn't that YOU NEEDED THEM, it was just a GOOD IDEA TO RUN THEM.

Thanks
Roger

kamikazekyle05 · 04-17-2009, 03:58 PM

You dont need to beef up the wires for led's. Your probably thinking of adding a no load flasher. You need one of those because led's basically dont draw any power. All you do is swap the stock turn signal flasher in the fuse box for the no load flasher, a 30 second job max.

Sinister · 04-17-2009, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwotr

Sinister, are the BOTH the Lenses AND Back-up lens above it?
Why are you selling them?

As far as the "Beefing up", there was something that you have to wire in,
(I can't recall what its called right now).
If I remember correctly, it wasn't that YOU NEEDED THEM, it was just a GOOD IDEA TO RUN THEM.

Thanks
Roger

Just 2 clear fleetside brake light lenses and a couple of red bulbs.
Bought them off a board member, didn't end up using them. They're brand new, never even mounted them.

Longhorn Man · 04-17-2009, 04:16 PM

is this a parts request, or info request?
If it's the former, then you should post it on the parts board.
If the latter, LEDs are far better than any colored bulb could ever dream of being. LEDs run off of mili-amps, a way reduced amperage from the old incandecant bulb. LEDs run cooler, last virtually forever (assuming the circuit board is assembled properly) and have a redder red as far as color put out. On top of all that, they light up, and turn off much faster, and it has been proven that this gives people in the vehicle behind you a better reaction time.
With all that being said, you should know that the clear lenses are not DOT aproved, and are federally illegal... that means in all 50 states. You'll hear people say they drive on them all the time, never get tickets, and how they had a cop pull them over for this or that, and nothing was said about the lights.... and blah blah blah. I got clocked speeding and didn't get a ticket. Doesn't mean it's legal. The feds are actually forcing the vendors to stop selling them. I don't know the details on this, but I am 99% positive this is fact.
As far as your back up lenses.... they are already clear.

04-17-2009, 03:29 PM	#1
wwotr Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clearlake Oaks CA Posts: 1,716	Led brake/running lights? I'd like to run some clear lenses in the back of my 72 GMC (Brake/Tailight/Back-up, and use colored Glkass Bulbs or the "Chrome" Bulbs. I REALLY don't want to get into LED,s and have to beef-up the wirring, and everything that goes into running them. For those of you that have a similar set-up, how do you like it? What were some of the pitfalls/problems (if any) in the begining? Any help with where you got your lenses, what Bulbs you run and where you got them would be appreciated. Roger __________________ Hello members... I'd like you to know that I sold, my 72 GMC (Ratikle), back in November of 2011. I don't visit the site much anymore, but please feel free, to drop me a private message. RIP...."RATIKLE"

04-17-2009, 03:31 PM	#2
MrC1 Dork For Days Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 407	Re: Led brake/running lights? Why would you need to beef up wiring to run LEDs? Don't they use LESS power? __________________ 1972 C20, 402/700R4 - My first classic truck, bought in September 2005. 85% transformed from "Farm" to "Cool" status! 1970 Dodge Challenger 440, 4sp (my other toy) 12.67 @ 117 MPH, with a pathetic 2.022 60' 2007 Dodge Charger SRT-8 2008 Cadillac CTS All-American garage, baby!

04-17-2009, 03:32 PM	#3
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Led brake/running lights? I got a set of clear lenses with red bulbs you can have for $20. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match... Last edited by Sinister; 04-17-2009 at 03:32 PM.

04-17-2009, 03:37 PM	#4
wwotr Registered User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Clearlake Oaks CA Posts: 1,716	Re: Led brake/running lights? Sinister, are the BOTH the Lenses AND Back-up lens above it? Why are you selling them? As far as the "Beefing up", there was something that you have to wire in, (I can't recall what its called right now). If I remember correctly, it wasn't that YOU NEEDED THEM, it was just a GOOD IDEA TO RUN THEM. Thanks Roger __________________ Hello members... I'd like you to know that I sold, my 72 GMC (Ratikle), back in November of 2011. I don't visit the site much anymore, but please feel free, to drop me a private message. RIP...."RATIKLE"

04-17-2009, 03:58 PM	#5
kamikazekyle05 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Vernon, Texas Posts: 331	Re: Led brake/running lights? You dont need to beef up the wires for led's. Your probably thinking of adding a no load flasher. You need one of those because led's basically dont draw any power. All you do is swap the stock turn signal flasher in the fuse box for the no load flasher, a 30 second job max.

04-17-2009, 04:16 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Led brake/running lights? is this a parts request, or info request? If it's the former, then you should post it on the parts board. If the latter, LEDs are far better than any colored bulb could ever dream of being. LEDs run off of mili-amps, a way reduced amperage from the old incandecant bulb. LEDs run cooler, last virtually forever (assuming the circuit board is assembled properly) and have a redder red as far as color put out. On top of all that, they light up, and turn off much faster, and it has been proven that this gives people in the vehicle behind you a better reaction time. With all that being said, you should know that the clear lenses are not DOT aproved, and are federally illegal... that means in all 50 states. You'll hear people say they drive on them all the time, never get tickets, and how they had a cop pull them over for this or that, and nothing was said about the lights.... and blah blah blah. I got clocked speeding and didn't get a ticket. Doesn't mean it's legal. The feds are actually forcing the vendors to stop selling them. I don't know the details on this, but I am 99% positive this is fact. As far as your back up lenses.... they are already clear.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.