| joe b | -- 06-27-2012 @ 6:50 AM |
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I have a '41 with aftermarket turn signals added. I am interested in LED bulbs for the tail lights. My bulb is an 1158 with the pins directly opposite each other. So far, all I can find is 1156 or 1157 LED's which require the socket to be altered as the pins are staggered. Any one know of a supplier for my style?
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| supereal | -- 06-27-2012 @ 9:11 AM |
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As you have found, most LED bulbs fit the 1157 sockets only. Before you modify the sockets and lay out the big bucks for the bulbs, be aware that LED bulbs have a lag when they receive power, making them less suitable for stop lights and turn signals. When placed behind a glass lens, the result often isn't much, if any, improvement over the stock bulbs. If you are a Club member, and receive the V8 TIMES, the latest issue has an excellent article by TomO on refitting the tailights with flashlight reflectors, which is certainly less expensive than LEDs, and probably more effective. This message was edited by supereal on 6-27-12 @ 9:12 AM
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| joe b | -- 06-27-2012 @ 11:39 AM |
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Thanks, Super. I am a member and I did copy the article in The Times. I will check the power as suggested. During the daytime I have to strike a match to see if my bulbs are lit. I just thought LED was an easy way out. You saved me a buck or two.
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| Old Henry | -- 06-27-2012 @ 5:14 PM |
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I tried halogens and LED's and neither came close to the performance of the super bright incandescents from Sacramento Vintage Ford. Here's a 12 volt 1158 style with unstaggered pins that should work. http://www.vintageford.com/part_search.cfm?line=V-8&PartEntry=06142-12SB&Category If you need 6 volt here it is: http://www.vintageford.com/part_search.cfm?line=V-8&PartEntry=06142-6SB&Category= They have the same candlepower as halogens, (more than LED's) are more focused and cheaper than either and last longer than halogens. Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.) This message was edited by Old Henry on 6-27-12 @ 5:36 PM
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| flatheadfan | -- 06-28-2012 @ 2:35 AM |
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There is going to be a lot of disagreement with my opinion on LED bulbs but here goes.... I have used them on my '35 and in my opinion they are a waste of money. The disadvantages are many. First they are very directional. Meaning , unless you are looking directly at them you don't get the affect. It is like a rifle shooting a bullet. Unless, you are directly in line with the barrel there is no physical affect. Whereas, an incandescent bulb behaves as a shotgun. It gives a wide spray of light which is visible from several angles. Second, the LED for stop lights require a super-sensitive brake light switch to activate. I (and others) have found the "normal" hydraulic brake switch do not work reliably with a replacement LED bulb on early Ford applications. I have heard a "scientific" explanation for this but it is too early for me to recall (5:00 AM)! Third, the bulb color is critical. If the light is going to go through a red lens (such as a stop light) the bulb color must harmonize with the lens meaning red lens require red LED. This is not a problem with the right tail light but doesn't work well on your left light which must serve as a tail light and a license plate illuminator. which requires a white light. Finally, as tail lights, the lights didn't seem to be any brighter than my regular bulbs. Again, this is my opinion with only one car I tested them on ('35 Ford). The one good thing about LED is the power draw is virtually nil. This is the LED bulb source I used: http://www.superbrightleds.com/other_bulbs.htm If you are looking for a safety option, I would serious consider a "third light". This is a source I used on my Model A and my '50 pickup: http://www.jandlenterprise.com/products/products.htm Tom
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| v8teditor | -- 06-28-2012 @ 6:29 AM |
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I'll add to this discussion. Since a vendor source has been mentioned, here's an ad I just received yesterday for the July/August V-8 TIMES that may add some insight: HALOGEN BULBS FOR ALL VINTAGE CARS: 6 & 12 Volt - Make your car safe to drive. With our custom made Halogen bulbs and Sealed Beams that give practically twice the light of the old bulbs, you can see your instruments, the road, and safely be seen by other cars at night. Will fit your existing bulb sockets with no modifications or changes. Hardly any additional current drain. No point deduction if judged. Let us know your bulb number. If not sure, let us have year, make, and model of car and the application of the bulb. We most likely have the corresponding Halogen bulb. A must if you are on a Car Club Tour, Car Caravan, or just use your car at night. Bulbs available for other makes too. Call ERIC HIRSCH (800) 828-2061- Ask for Eric for price and availability. E-Mail: info@hirschauto.com (NJ)
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| TomO | -- 06-28-2012 @ 7:15 AM |
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Jerry, IMHO halogen bulbs are not a good solution. They draw more current than standard bulbs and the wiring harness should be changed to one with heavier gauge wire. I had them in my tail lights for a while. I took them out when I noticed that my headlights dimmed every time that I stepped on the brakes. The voltage delivered to the tail light bulbs is the most important thing to check. The bulbs must receive at least 6 volts when lit. It is important to check this voltage with the bulbs in the socket and lit. This can be done at the pigtail connection of the tail lights. The flashlight reflectors work better with brighter bulbs. New bulbs are brighter than old bulbs. Incandescent bulbs deteriorate in a non- linear fashion and are good for about 5 years of service. I cannot comment on the SuperBright bulbs, because there is no information on the candle power or wattage on the site that Old Henry gave and I have never used them. Tom
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| Old Henry | -- 06-28-2012 @ 8:10 AM |
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If, after you click on the links to Sacramento Ford's site in my previous post, you then click on the link that's the part number, a pop up will show that the candlepower of these bulbs is 50/14. Here's a demonstration with photos that I put on the FordBarn of the differences in standard incandescents, halogens, LED's, and Sacramento Vintage Ford's super bright incandescents and a lot of discussion about each you might want to review. http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=67558 Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.) This message was edited by Old Henry on 6-28-12 @ 10:16 AM
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| supereal | -- 06-28-2012 @ 11:22 AM |
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I found that the simplest, and most effective solution to dim stop and turn lights is the LED light bar. I mounted mine on top of the license plate, but they come with a suction cup to hold them in the back window. Anyone contemplating converting to LEDs for turn signals should know that, in almost all cases, additional resistance must be added to allow the flasher to operate properly.
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| 51f1 | -- 06-28-2012 @ 1:43 PM |
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If your wiring, connectors and switches are in good condition, your original type bulbs will be plenty bright. Richard
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| 40cpe | -- 06-28-2012 @ 3:59 PM |
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Although the tail lights on my '38 are bright enough, they are still small and mounted relatively low. Attached is my version of a solution. They are lights made by Peterson to mount on the rear of a boat when towing it and have a flat-4 wire harness in them. They have running and stop light function. I wired them as running light when the lights are on and stop/signal lights full time. Connectors in the trunk let me disconnect any function when not wanted. They are not as obvious as this picture shows them because the interior normally has less light.
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| MG | -- 07-02-2012 @ 3:31 PM |
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I installed a pair of Bob Drake's Extra Bright Taillight Bulbs (40-13465-HP6V Taillight Bulb Extra Bright 6V; fits - 1933-37) in my '37 today and WOW!. They look to be twice as bright as the bulbs they replaced. "Increases candle power to 50/14. Nearly double the power" - this, as described at Drake's online web site. At $3.50 each, they're a little spendy but well worth the price in my opinion. I'm impressed.......
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| Old Henry | -- 07-02-2012 @ 5:05 PM |
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$3.50 may seem a lot compared to "dim" bulbs but not compared to halogens that are $15.00 a piece and I don't think are near as good as super bright incandescents. Old Henry (The older I get, the better old looks.)
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| MG | -- 07-02-2012 @ 9:04 PM |
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@ Old Henry, Hopefully, they'll come out with 6V 'Super Bright' incandescent bulbs for the headlights as well. I can't emphasize too strongly how impressed I am with these 6V 'Super Bright' incandescent tailight bulbs from Drake! My only concern is the life expectancy of the filaments in these bulbs. I'm going to purchase a backup set for both my '34 and '37. BTW - I admire your testing of the various options in this matter......MG This message was edited by MG on 7-2-12 @ 9:05 PM
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| MG | -- 07-02-2012 @ 9:25 PM |
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@ TomO, I really liked your article in the May/June 2012 issue of the V8 Times with respect to "Brighter Taillights". It would be neat if you could find a manufacturer to punch out a type of 'flashlight reflector'(your idea) to fit the taillight housings of our old Ford's. You, like 'Old Henry', it's refreshing to read about the various 'home brew' options to improve upon 'Henry's' original design without compromising originality.
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| TomO | -- 07-03-2012 @ 8:14 AM |
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MG, Thank you for the compliment. I did a Tech Talk at our RG meeting and the article was the synopsis of the Tech Talk. Jerry Windle asked if he could publish it in the V-8 Times and I gave my permission. Buying a flashlight and modifying the reflector is much cheaper than having someone make a reflector for your car. The tail light housings are different for most years of the cars, so a manufacturer would have to make some for each year. Tom
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| joe b | -- 07-10-2012 @ 1:05 PM |
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FYI, on MG's comment on Bob Drake's Extra Bright taillight bulbs, I called today and they are no longer available. The Tech adviser said that no one else has them either to her knowledge.
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| MG | -- 07-10-2012 @ 2:28 PM |
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@ joe b I don't understand. I just received my second set of Extra Bright taillight bulbs from Drake in the mail yesterday. I ordered them online from Drake's catalog. Click on this link: http://www.bobdrake.com/ItemForm.aspx?Item=40-13465-HP6V
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| joe b | -- 07-11-2012 @ 6:48 AM |
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MG all I know is what I was told. I wanted to make sure the pins in the base were located properly for my sockets. I sent an email to the tech site they have. No reply after a week. I called and got a tech on the phone,gave her the part no. you show and that is the response I got. I don't want to go through the hassle of ordering and returning parts that aren't right.
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| MG | -- 07-12-2012 @ 12:41 AM |
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joe b, Then you might want to try Old Henry's source of Sacramento Vintage Ford as seen in his post above. They're good people to work with.
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| joe b | -- 07-12-2012 @ 5:47 AM |
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I did call Sacramento Ford. After a short hold the operator took my number and said they would call back. They did call in 45 minutes, had the answer and the part and they are on their way. Thanks to all.
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| butchbov | -- 07-16-2012 @ 8:41 AM |
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If you want to brighten up your headlights put in relays. They feed the bulbs power directly from the battery & it takes the amp load off your switch & out from under your dash.
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