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Old 12-31-2014, 12:35 PM   #1
Tom F OHIO
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Default Led Tail lights

Has anyone changed their taillights to led and is it worth it. Are they a lot brighter that the original.

Thank, Tom.........
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Old 12-31-2014, 12:41 PM   #2
Patrick L.
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

There has been quite a bit of discussion about this. Search should come up with more than you'd like to read.

After being rear ended, I installed rear LEDs. I don't like the way they look, but, they are considerably brighter.
I couldn't find an electronic flasher that would work [ tried 4 with different specs] and ended using a normal thermal flasher along with higher candle power front turn lights. That is, if you use turns signals. I'm still using 6v.
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Old 12-31-2014, 12:57 PM   #3
Ron Lachniet
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

I bought the ones that Snyders sell that plug into your taillight fixture. They are easy to install and are all sealed so you don't need gaskets and they are very bright. I think they are the best thing going for safety.
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Old 12-31-2014, 01:01 PM   #4
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

Just about everyone in our club has changed over to LED tail lights. They work great. I think I got mine from Mike's.
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Old 12-31-2014, 01:09 PM   #5
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

I installed mine some time ago and the only problem I had was the trim piece that goes over the tail light lens was the opening was not large enough to sit on the way I thought it should. Took a small file to it and now am very happy with them. Many club members have commented how bright they are when the lights are on and especially when I step on the brake.

Also installed the LED kit for turn signals with the magnet holding the controls on the fuel tank. Here I'm not as happy as it is a bit awkward when I want to turn the signal on especially in the dark. If I do them over I would try and get one with a stalk control.
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Old 12-31-2014, 04:10 PM   #6
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

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most dealers now offer a bezel that fits the LEDS, so its no longer necessary to file out an original. I used a standard flasher with incandescent bulbs on the front to get them to flash. Others in the club have had trouble getting the electronic flashers to work right.
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Old 12-31-2014, 04:17 PM   #7
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

They are VERY bright and will illuminate your A very well day or night. I installed the lights into original housings.
I drive on busy streets and the highway regularly with confidence.

Will use LEDs on my existing projects too.
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Old 12-31-2014, 05:04 PM   #8
Tom F OHIO
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

Quote:
Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
Just about everyone in our club has changed over to LED tail lights. They work great. I think I got mine from Mike's.
Carl, did you buy the whole taillight done or the kit where you do the wires yourself.

Tom..................
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Old 12-31-2014, 05:35 PM   #9
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

I put the LED taillights on my 1930 Murray fordor. They work great, very bright. Bought from Mac's. They look original until you turn them on. Turn signals flash like they are supposed to. I still run 6 volts on this car.
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Old 12-31-2014, 05:56 PM   #10
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

I've not installed LED tail lights but did install a center 3rd break light, you can compare the two here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmdO_Wo1TcQ

So yes at one point, I'll be swapping out the regular tail lights with LEDs.
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Old 12-31-2014, 06:42 PM   #11
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

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Originally Posted by Tom F OHIO View Post
Carl, did you buy the whole taillight done or the kit where you do the wires yourself.

Tom..................
I used my existing "teacup" and put these in. They plug in where the bulbs were before. The one shown is the RH light, the left one has the license plate light.
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File Type: jpg Tail Light.jpg (12.8 KB, 30 views)
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Old 12-31-2014, 06:44 PM   #12
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

Does anyone use the Halogen bulbs? Just wondering how they compare with the LED's.
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Old 12-31-2014, 07:39 PM   #13
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

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Originally Posted by CarlG View Post
I used my existing "teacup" and put these in. They plug in where the bulbs were before. The one shown is the RH light, the left one has the license plate light.

I'm enough of a traditionalist that I was reluctant to change to the LEDs. Had a very close call, saw how bright the LEDs were on another car in my club, and made the change.

Used the same all red lights as Carl and highly recommend them. I'm still running 6 volt. Got mine from Snyder's. Easy to install. Plugged right into the tail light bulb sockets. Yes, had to file a little to get the cover to fit. Went with all red because modern drivers do not understand an amber brake light.

HUGE improvement on the road. Great night and day. Suddenly my Model A was treated like a real car. Tailgaters backed off. I'm a fan.

LED brake lights were so good that I'm now installing separate LED turn signals. Going with amber - again conforming to what modern drivers are used to seeing. Got them from Snyder's - the ones with the resistors built in so I can use a regular flasher on the 6 volt system.
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Old 01-01-2015, 01:39 AM   #14
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

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Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead View Post
Does anyone use the Halogen bulbs? Just wondering how they compare with the LED's.
halogens used so many amps they would move the ammeter needle to discharge at idle with an alternator, and they were not as bright as LED's. The LED's use very little current....the ammeter needle barely moves. On a 6 Volt car with a generator, they are really great.
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Old 01-01-2015, 09:31 AM   #15
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

If you value your life, the safety of your passengers and your Model "A," then add a right side taillight and convert both taillights to LEDs. Add turn signals too!
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Old 01-01-2015, 02:59 PM   #16
Tom F OHIO
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jwilli View Post
I put the LED taillights on my 1930 Murray fordor. They work great, very bright. Bought from Mac's. They look original until you turn them on. Turn signals flash like they are supposed to. I still run 6 volts on this car.
Jwilli,
Can you tell me what part numbers you bought from Mac's. If I am going to use these just for taillights and no blinkers do I still need some kind of a transmitter for them to work.

Thanks, Tom..............
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Old 01-01-2015, 07:30 PM   #17
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

Tom F OHIO: Mac's only sells the WHOLE LED taillight assembly. The part numbers are 28-21137-1 is 6V/amber/red/left, 28-21138-1 is 6V/amber/red/right, 28-21139-1 is the 6V/red/red/left and 28-21140-1 is the 6V/red/red/right. And these are SS taillights. These are direct replacements for your present 6V taillights, no "transmitter???" is needed. If you want to use your taillights housings and just replace the glass lens with LED lens, you'll have to go to another vender.
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Old 01-01-2015, 07:41 PM   #18
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

Snyder's sells the LED taillights in black:
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File Type: jpg snyders.jpg (177.6 KB, 33 views)
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Old 01-01-2015, 09:27 PM   #19
Bruce Adams
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Default Re: Led Tail lights

The LED panel that fits into the drum is as bright as a modern car's.
The LED's that screw into the receptacle are bright but do not hold a candle to the panel type.
I suggest red, top and bottom, since, particularly with directionals, mixing the amber and red can be confusing to other drivers, especially if you also have a third brakelight bar which is all red for turns and for brakes.
The photo indicates the left turn signal is on.
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File Type: jpg tail light.jpg (120.9 KB, 24 views)

Last edited by Bruce Adams; 01-01-2015 at 09:30 PM. Reason: x
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