The Ford Barn

Dick's Hot Rod Place · 12-08-2016, 11:49 AM

I would like to know what taillight bulbs folks are using in '28 thru '39 tail lights. Is there a LED bulb worth a hoot? I bought a pair for the lights and the ones I purchased are not as bright as the bulbs in it now. Looking for suggestions.

TomT/Williamsburg · 12-08-2016, 12:04 PM

UPAC sells aled bulb that is a 1157 style but they are pricey - $20 each and they also sell a special flasher that you may need. United Pacific also is the place that sells the repop 32 5-window bodies. I use these bulbs in my avatar running 39 taillights and they are bright ....

19Fordy · 12-08-2016, 12:07 PM

Here's some 6V LED light bulb info. and discussion on HAMB.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...cation.367376/
Plus , give these folks a call: https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...FQkyaQodkWcNAg

adileo · 12-08-2016, 12:28 PM

Hands down 6 volt leds on eBay: $78.

1938-1939-Ford-39-LED-Tail-Light-Inserts-2-6-Volt

blucar · 12-08-2016, 01:32 PM

As a general rule a standard bulb should be bright enough if the inside of the housing is painted white... White paint is more reflective than silver. Of course the condition of the wiring, connections, etc. can have an effect on the brightness of the lights.
LEDS tend to be directional and therefore do not emit as much actual light as regular bulbs.

adileo · 12-08-2016, 01:53 PM

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Blucar while I agree with most of your posts. This one I respectfully do not. I tried all that you mentioned above and the leds are far brighter. The ones I purchased are not one bulb but 72 leds. They replace the entire 6 volt tail light lense and are plug and play.

I'll be the first to admit they won't do well at concourse but for being seen at night, they are the best.

B-O-B · 12-08-2016, 02:00 PM

adelio you said"for being seen at night, they are the best" MAYBE, however I have these. I use a 6V convertor

adileo · 12-08-2016, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-O-B

adelio you said"for being seen at night, they are the best" MAYBE, however I have these. I use a 6V convertor

Very nice but for me I wanted to keep the stock look.

Detonator · 12-12-2016, 12:01 AM

I painted the insides of the cans white as Blucar suggests, and used Ron Francis' "Bright Bulbs." They seem really bright....

slowforty · 12-12-2016, 03:04 PM

I used some Trailer Bright Reflective tape on the rear bumper of my 40. It is Red and Silver reflective tape. Put it on some magnetic tape and put it on the bumper. You can see it a lot better than even the brightest taillights. See my avatar for a good reason to do this.

12-08-2016, 11:49 AM	#1
Dick's Hot Rod Place Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 622	Needing brighter tail lights. I would like to know what taillight bulbs folks are using in '28 thru '39 tail lights. Is there a LED bulb worth a hoot? I bought a pair for the lights and the ones I purchased are not as bright as the bulbs in it now. Looking for suggestions. __________________ www.dickshotrodcarbs.com

12-08-2016, 12:04 PM	#2
TomT/Williamsburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Posts: 2,657	Re: Needing brighter tail lights. UPAC sells aled bulb that is a 1157 style but they are pricey - $20 each and they also sell a special flasher that you may need. United Pacific also is the place that sells the repop 32 5-window bodies. I use these bulbs in my avatar running 39 taillights and they are bright .... __________________ Run to the LA Roadster Show - 2016 My Run to Bonneville - 2013 My 32 5-Window Build My Run to the LSRU

12-08-2016, 12:07 PM	#3
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 11,010	Re: Needing brighter tail lights. Here's some 6V LED light bulb info. and discussion on HAMB. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...cation.367376/ Plus , give these folks a call: https://www.superbrightleds.com/more...FQkyaQodkWcNAg

12-08-2016, 12:28 PM	#4
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	Re: Needing brighter tail lights. Hands down 6 volt leds on eBay: $78. 1938-1939-Ford-39-LED-Tail-Light-Inserts-2-6-Volt

12-08-2016, 01:32 PM	#5
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: Needing brighter tail lights. As a general rule a standard bulb should be bright enough if the inside of the housing is painted white... White paint is more reflective than silver. Of course the condition of the wiring, connections, etc. can have an effect on the brightness of the lights. LEDS tend to be directional and therefore do not emit as much actual light as regular bulbs. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe

12-08-2016, 01:53 PM	#6
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	Re: Needing brighter tail lights. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Blucar while I agree with most of your posts. This one I respectfully do not. I tried all that you mentioned above and the leds are far brighter. The ones I purchased are not one bulb but 72 leds. They replace the entire 6 volt tail light lense and are plug and play. I'll be the first to admit they won't do well at concourse but for being seen at night, they are the best.

12-12-2016, 12:01 AM	#9
Detonator Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Cruz Posts: 391	Re: Needing brighter tail lights. I painted the insides of the cans white as Blucar suggests, and used Ron Francis' "Bright Bulbs." They seem really bright.... __________________ Seabright Hot Rods

12-12-2016, 03:04 PM	#10
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,067	Re: Needing brighter tail lights. I used some Trailer Bright Reflective tape on the rear bumper of my 40. It is Red and Silver reflective tape. Put it on some magnetic tape and put it on the bumper. You can see it a lot better than even the brightest taillights. See my avatar for a good reason to do this.