Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Replacing Taillights With LEDs (Read 880 times) previous topic - next topic

Replacing Taillights With LEDs

I am in the process of upgrading my interior lights with LEDs. There is a lot of help in the message threads on this subject.
 
I also want to replace my taillight bulbs with LEDs. There are a few messages on this subject, but one school of thought in my search is that LEDs for taillights are not ready for prime time. There were several articles about using better incandescent bulbs.
 
That may have been true at one time, but I am sure there are now LEDs that are "good enough," if not better. For those of you who have already done this, which LEDs did you wind up using (or rejecting)?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Replacing Taillights With LEDs

Reply #1 –

I replaced our tail lights with the IPCW LED Tail Lights - LED Tailight & Lamp by IPCW - Bermuda Black, Ruby... and we've been quite pleased. The LED tail lights I've found do not include the amber turn signals, and I believe amber rear turn signals are a significant safety feature, and so I moved the turn signal sockets down to the backup light location (they fit perfectly) and used Amazon.com: JDM ASTAR AX-2835 Chipsets 3056 3156 3157 4157 LED Bulbs for... as the turn signals. They work well.

I wanted much better backup illumination and so I changed the backup wiring and installed Whelen Perimeter Enhancement Lights Perimeter Enhancement Light - Whelen Engineering Automotive and mounted them just above the engine access panel. The rear area is now extremely well illuminated and I feel much better when backing in poor lighting conditions.

These upgrades (especially the Whelen lights) were not inexpensive, but I believe the money was well spent.

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Replacing Taillights With LEDs

Reply #2 –
Trent,

I have all (or most) of the bayonet based bulbs that I had in may tail and backup lights when we had Xtreme redo them.  Send me an address and I will mail them to you to try.  They were about a year old.  Not all bayonet bases fit properly.  Some are too wide.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Replacing Taillights With LEDs

Reply #3 –
Roger,
 
Thank you for your generous offer.
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Replacing Taillights With LEDs

Reply #4 –
Roger,
 
I have been experimenting with the taillights and have some questions.
 
It seems that the bayonet base can be inserted either direction, but only work one way. Is there a way to tell which way from their appearance? Is there a risk of damaging the lights by putting them in backwards?
 
When you used them, was it in the original FT taillight? Some of them look like they may be too long,
 
It looks like two of the four wires/pins are ground. Did you ever find a pinout for them? It looks like there might be two standards; do you remember which one Foretravel used?
 
After I install the LED's, am I going to have a problem with the "fast blinking" when I hook up my tow dolly, which already has LED's? If I do, where is it that I need to install resistors?
 
Thanks for any information you or other members can provide.
 
And thank you for passing them on to me,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Replacing Taillights With LEDs

Reply #5 –
If they only work in one orientation then in the other they will not work and will not do any harm.

They were in the original taillight assembly.  They may look long but they fit. No pinouts, try them out the ones with extra wires are likely brake/tail.

I think the wiring harness (3 bulbs) on the pass side is easier to get out. Pull that side out and try the bulbs there and compare to the other side. 

I did not have to change the flasher.

I Hope they work.

Roger


Added at 6:44 ....I looked at the wiring harness.  One of the sockets has multiple wires, it is the top one, I think. This is for the bulb with four wires.  The others should only have two wires.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Replacing Taillights With LEDs

Reply #6 –
Prior to replacing the taillights, I am checking my existing lights.
 
The running lights (tail, clearance/marker, and parking) come on when I push the headlight switch to the first position.
 
The turn signals come on when I turn on the turn signal *and* have the key switch turned to the first position.
 
I cannot figure out how to get the brake lights on. I have tried pushing the brake pedal, with and without the ignition switch on to the first position, but cannot see the brake lights come on. What turns on the brake lights? What turns on the "third/center" brake light?
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Replacing Taillights With LEDs

Reply #7 –
The brake lights are controlled by air pressure, what is the pressure on the dash gauges.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: Replacing Taillights With LEDs

Reply #8 –
The middle socket should have three or four wires going into it.  There should be a bulb with four contact wires.  That one goes in that socket.  And it might be a position sensitive.  If they don't seem to work one way turn them 180° and try again.  Do the original bulbs work?  Does the ign have to be on?

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Replacing Taillights With LEDs

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Bill Willett –
The brake lights are controlled by air pressure, what is the pressure on the dash gauges.

Zero.
 
Thanks,
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385