2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission LED TailLights

[gathomas]

Does anyone have an idea where I might be able to obtain "LED" replacement taillights for my "97" Ram?



"97" Ram CTD, BD auto, TST#5, prime-loc

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

in not sure how far you are from carlisle but the local chrome shop near the petro carries them... . im getting some this coming spring.

 

[biggy238]

Are they an 1157 style replacement bulb? IF you can let me know what style they are. I've read some reviews that said the LEDs performed poorly because of the way they light up in a sequence. They weren't bright enough to light up the reflector. I'd like to find some real chipset style LED lenses.

 

[edgrim]

I saw pictures here of an 01, I think with a cool idea, he got some aftermarket rear corner lens,carefully cut out the brake turn section and installed 4" American LED round combo units, wasn't prefectly square but the wide field of view of the LED's was awesome. Don't know why you couldn't do the same thing.

 

[RGRAT1618]

Try www.superbrightleds.com





Rob

 

[robbiesworld]

You can get leds allover Ebay but they draw a different current than a stock 1157 bulb and blink faster or slower than normal bulbs

 

[Black Cloud]

I purchased a pair from Auto Zone, I believe made bt straitlight (something like that) they have 12 LEDS each and at night they really do make a difference, you can tell they are leds under the rear lenses. The only drawback is my blinker is quick now. They also have the 194's for the cab markers but they are 4 leds each and I'm not sure what kind of amps that may draw.

 

[CEpp]

thought? why couldnt you take a factory set of taillamps and install a 4" round led trailer style light in the back of it? the led housing is sealed, but would have to figure how to get that led to stay put. or get a set of the euro style with the round tail/brake lights and put them inside those... just a thought.

 

[Chris N5CWM]

I figure eventually some manufacturer will make aftermarket LED taillight assemblys, or some kind of LED 1157 bulb replacement that will have some rear-facing LEDs and also some that point at the reflector to get a wider angle of light.



I bought some 'superbright' LED 194 replacements at Wal Mart tonight. They were the single LED with a rounded tip to magnify the light. I guess they were bright when you looked right into them but for a clearance light, they were too narrowly focused and didn't even light up the factory light that much. Took them back. What I need to find is what turbodiesel_ram mentioned, the compound LED 194's. I'm going to look around at various auto parts stores and online for some. I recently converted my boat trailer to all LED lights. I don't plan on converting all of the lights on my truck to LED but the cab lights would be neat.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I posted to a thread similar to this a while back. In it I had a link to a guy that took onthis very project on the 2nd gen rigs. Our reflectors are our downfall. a regular good ol L>E>D bulb will only shine outward giving you a pleasant lil glow in the center of the light and that's it. There are LED "Bulbs" out there that DO have rearward firing led's , side firing , and forward firing all on the same "Bulb" but still has lackluster effects. ... . better but not warm and fuzzy. Now the guy I mentioned before took standard PC board and soldered on a ton of led's and cut out the lens and fitted the panel o ledness inside. the results were pretty sweet indeed. I will look and root around for that older post for ya.

 

[gathomas]

Thanks ToolMan, for offering to root around for that older post, I would be very interested in what that looks like. Say, are you "THE" ToolMan from TV fame... . eh??

Thanks again

 

[Yo Hoot]

I'm using these http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/7443.htm now. They have some raidially mounted LED's that help iluminate the rear reflector. Only 7 dollars each and are plug and play, They have a chip in them that automatically configures them electrically to the truck. You will need load resistors though





#ad

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

O. K GOT IT Oo.



http://www.orangeplug.com/truckweb/LEDProj.html

As for the Tool Man thang ... . the boards here could speak volumes :-laf

 

[CEpp]

tim... i like that info... thats a great idea, have u tryed it yet?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

No not yet. I am looking at some LED Paneling that is flexable and probably could fit inside a lens. Once I get some R&D money together I will play with my theory as I have a mint set of stockers that I can play with.