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View Full Version : LED Brake and Tail Lamps on Budget



jethro13
01-30-2013, 12:22 AM
Living at the beach all my old cars have moisture issues with typical socket bulb setups. Fix is the solid state and seal them for good, so here we go. I went to eBay, found 1" sealed 3-wire LED brake/tail lamps for tractor trucks $17.50 for two, the seller is "closertowholesale" . I used my existing light sockets since they work with the Lucas Lens, chrome bezel etc. I sawzall'ed the sockets so I could RTV silicon the new assemblies right in. The 1" lights I found are perfect and have a small chrome bezel that will keep them fixed into the existing housings. The LED have 12v circuit electronics already embedded so you literally just have to hook them up to your existing wires, but you will have to CHANGE YOUR FLASHERS to solid state. The same seller has them, or you can find LED 2-prong flashers for conversions. I found them for $12. All in all for $60 I now have reliable, very bright lights I will (most likely) not have to deal with. You can convert your MK Roadster lights as well, use these or the 2" lights if you want super bright.

Pics:
#1 The LED's sealed and ready for 12v, this is how they came from ebay seller
#2 Here's the housing's cut with a sawzall just where the base meets.
#3 RTV silicon the LED assembly into the old sockets, can be removed if fail
#4 From the back
#5 Mounted onto car
#6 running lights, Lucas lens back on the rubber holders
#7 Upper light is RT blinker, about 40% brighter than the running lights.

rj35pj
01-30-2013, 07:22 AM
They look great. I have done something similar but I did not think far enough outside of the box and I went to a streetrod parts supplier and probably paid at least twice what you have......
I'm sure others will benefit from your post.

conmech
01-30-2013, 12:03 PM
Nice, inexpensive conversion. Thanx for posting.:cool:

jethro13
02-02-2013, 11:08 PM
Glad to share something interesting after using many good ideas from others. I also used a license plate frame with a built in light so I didn't mount the large light that came with the kit. More to come, front LED turn signals on deck after I mount the Cobra Suzuka seats.

loeffler1
02-03-2013, 10:31 PM
Jethro13

If you are interested in relieving yourself of the license plate light let me know, I'm looking for another to light up my rear number.

jethro13
02-15-2013, 11:45 AM
Hello Bill, I just saw your post. Send me a PM and you can have it. I just need to dig it out and get your address. I'd like to see it go to good use.
SF

jetsbaby
02-15-2013, 08:01 PM
What was the name of the ebay seller that you got the lights from? Interested in going the same route.

riptide motorsport
02-15-2013, 09:01 PM
What was the name of the ebay seller that you got the lights from? Interested in going the same route.

Jetsbaby its in his original post.......this is the ebat seller;

"closertowholesale

I wish I had done that with my car.

DARKPT
03-11-2013, 03:59 PM
These are direct replacements for the 1157 bulb in LED and are quite bright:

superbrightleds.com 1157-RLX3 dual intensity red 3 watt luxeon (http://www.superbrightleds.com/search/led-products/1157-rlx3/)

You'll need resistance somewhere in your lighting circuits. I retained the original bulbs in the front turn signals and it works fine.