I need some help installing LED tail lights... (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter RU4wheelin
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I'm not sure why my phone is not letting me download pics but I will try to to sort it out tonight. In the mean time, here is a snap of them from behind. They have two 1/2" strips of reflective material on either side of each brake light, so legally you no longer need to have the round rear reflectors (at least in Oz where they are required, I'm not sure they are here in the US and am certain they are not in NM).
Once I sort out this camera issue, I will get some snaps of the lights in situ with a tape measure. They are about 1/4" wider top and bottom and perhaps 3/8" longer on each side. Thus they can be mounted flush to the holes which exist and the old light guards can be used to house the resistor for the indicator. As mentioned, they fit PERFECTLY inside the Specter light guards (which is how I have them, given they are a bit expensive to leave hanging out in the breeze for the next rock to hit). Then the three bolts from the Specter guards hold them in.
As for the rest of the globes (I did dash, markers, licence plate, tilt meter, tach, vacuum guage, etc), I got on superbrightleds.com and went to the ection I wanted (blade, bayonet, etc) and then got the bulbs I wanted in the colours I wanted (you want to use the colour of the lenses for the globe as they are so bright that they drown out the colour in the plastic). I then decided what degree of throw I wanted for the light and ordered them. I always got the brightest I could, but I wound up having to get dimmer turn signal and high beam globes because they were TOO bright and blinded me at night.
After I fitted all of the LEDs, I left the parking lights on one night in my garage to see if it would kill the battery over night. Of course, I forgot about it and the following night I noticed a glow from my garage and thought DOH!. I went out (at this point, they had been on for well over 24 hours), started the rig and it turned over just like it had not had any draw on it.
The other benefit I gained (not intentionally, and I still need to replace my voltage regulator) is that at idle my headlights no longer get dimmer and then brighten when I get the rpm up. The current draw is so low from all of the parking lights that the alternator does not even notice the difference between off and on.... having an off switch almost seems silly now.
Once I sort out this camera issue, I will get some snaps of the lights in situ with a tape measure. They are about 1/4" wider top and bottom and perhaps 3/8" longer on each side. Thus they can be mounted flush to the holes which exist and the old light guards can be used to house the resistor for the indicator. As mentioned, they fit PERFECTLY inside the Specter light guards (which is how I have them, given they are a bit expensive to leave hanging out in the breeze for the next rock to hit). Then the three bolts from the Specter guards hold them in.
As for the rest of the globes (I did dash, markers, licence plate, tilt meter, tach, vacuum guage, etc), I got on superbrightleds.com and went to the ection I wanted (blade, bayonet, etc) and then got the bulbs I wanted in the colours I wanted (you want to use the colour of the lenses for the globe as they are so bright that they drown out the colour in the plastic). I then decided what degree of throw I wanted for the light and ordered them. I always got the brightest I could, but I wound up having to get dimmer turn signal and high beam globes because they were TOO bright and blinded me at night.
After I fitted all of the LEDs, I left the parking lights on one night in my garage to see if it would kill the battery over night. Of course, I forgot about it and the following night I noticed a glow from my garage and thought DOH!. I went out (at this point, they had been on for well over 24 hours), started the rig and it turned over just like it had not had any draw on it.
The other benefit I gained (not intentionally, and I still need to replace my voltage regulator) is that at idle my headlights no longer get dimmer and then brighten when I get the rpm up. The current draw is so low from all of the parking lights that the alternator does not even notice the difference between off and on.... having an off switch almost seems silly now.
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Thanks for the info Chamba... very helpful. I was only hesitant because the lights had pinkish color in the reflectors in the other pictures. I know this happens with some photos though, because it made my brand new OEM lights look pink in this picture, and they are bright red in person.
These were just pics I had on my computer, will put more soon. They are definitely not pink but almost the exact colour of factory lights. Here is one of the reflector at night. Tonight I'll get snaps of the measurements.
My front turn signals are new Toyota assemblies with LED globes in them. The parking lights are so bright that they actually light the road a bit. I was going to get the factory rear lights as well, but these were cheaper and I like them a lot better (hard for me to say as I am a purist at heart... for some things). I had new factory tail light assemblies for my troopy and I always wanted a factory version of them in LED, but these are close enough that very few would notice.
My front turn signals are new Toyota assemblies with LED globes in them. The parking lights are so bright that they actually light the road a bit. I was going to get the factory rear lights as well, but these were cheaper and I like them a lot better (hard for me to say as I am a purist at heart... for some things). I had new factory tail light assemblies for my troopy and I always wanted a factory version of them in LED, but these are close enough that very few would notice.
Are you sure they are cheaper? I think I paid around 80 each for brand new oem.
Well, I have not looked here, so I should qualify that. In Australia they were over $200 each from Toyota where the LEDs were around $120 each at the time. I bought the fronts here from Cruiser Dan and they were very affordable. The same ones in Australia were $350 each, so that makes sense. I bought the fronts when I was back here to work on my houses and then took them back in my suitcase (along with a bag full of LED globes). The customs guys were apoplectic when I declared them and they were trying classify what they were; it took three guys to decide I did not have to pay duty.
Vae Victus
Posting more than I know
FYI it appears that final price for 2 of the rear lights with reverse lights, 2 x 12 v resistors, and shipping to mi casa in the glorious state of TN from waaay down under is just under $220.
1911
chupacabra
I just sent my money to Dan via PayPal, and the exchange rate was slightly favorable. Even with paying the PayPal fees and etc. it was still only $220 USD total. I'm guessing that is what Vae Victus meant.
Vae Victus
Posting more than I know
Correct, this was to tell everyone else who was scared off initially that the price came way down.
Any chance getting in on this , posted also in the classifieds group buy ....?
Sarge
Sarge
1911
chupacabra
I was just in Santa Fe last month, though driving the FJC not the 40 that time. Unfortunately, I won't be back any time soon; it's hard to travel with my 93-year-old dad that has Alzheimer's.
Appreciate Chamba and Dan for doing this , need to order up some light guards . Thanks for the info on mounting with the guards , helps a lot as I do want to protect this investment .
I wonder , with the load resistor in the rear wiring , could one use led's up front in the turn signals without any issues ??
Sarge
I wonder , with the load resistor in the rear wiring , could one use led's up front in the turn signals without any issues ??
Sarge
Only one set left now. PM me if interested.
Dan
Dan
Weber Sarge said:
You'll need one resistor per light sarge. The only non-LED in my whole system is front signals because I couldn't find a clean place to put the resistor. When I put the new engine in I figure I'll put in resistors then when I can do it right.
Much thanks to Dan for all the leg work. I'll get them out as soon as I get them.
Josh
I worded that question incorrectly - my interest is if one resistor per side is installed into the system if that would cover enough resistance for both front and rear led's ...??
Need to look at the schematic and check my wiring , if the system's flasher units feed a single circuit front/rear and only split side/side then it should work .
Sarge
Need to look at the schematic and check my wiring , if the system's flasher units feed a single circuit front/rear and only split side/side then it should work .
Sarge
G'day lads,
I have here sitting in my office a 2.5' tall box weighing about 40 lbs containing LEDs Thanks Dan!!
I am shocked by the postage: au$275.15 - oh my god. I can't believe these lights weigh so much all totaled. Dan, I hope you are not out-of-pocket for shipping. i am amazed; I shipped an HJ78 bell housing for a 1HZ to DansHJ45 a couple of years ago for au$110....
I will get these out this week. Could everyone please PM me with their address and I'll get them out ASAP. Let me know too if you want them shipped express and I can do that too. I think our office cost is around $15 for the express box, but I'll have to confirm.
I have here sitting in my office a 2.5' tall box weighing about 40 lbs containing LEDs
Thanks Dan!!I am shocked by the postage: au$275.15 - oh my god. I can't believe these lights weigh so much all totaled. Dan, I hope you are not out-of-pocket for shipping. i am amazed; I shipped an HJ78 bell housing for a 1HZ to DansHJ45 a couple of years ago for au$110....
I will get these out this week. Could everyone please PM me with their address and I'll get them out ASAP. Let me know too if you want them shipped express and I can do that too. I think our office cost is around $15 for the express box, but I'll have to confirm.
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