Maiz66 restoration - Safety 12.3.24

[Maiz67]

Good day Samba Nation,

As I start this new chapter I am wondering what are some options to make the bug more visible (especially the taillights) at night. The bug has been upgraded to 12v. Also, I have searched all the usual places and have not found an answer to my question. So, I am looking for a well-designed, original looking as possible and close to "plug and Play' as possible. Thanks in advance.

[Eric&Barb]

That would greatly depend on the year of the beetle and market it was exported to.......
_________________
In Stereo, Where Available!

[Busstom]

[KTPhil]

I am a lighting geek, but I recommend a combination of Euro (amber top) rear lenses, coupled with bright LED running/brake bulbs.

Stock brake lights are not bright, come on slowly, and are not as easily distinguished from tail and turn lamps, with all just various fuzzy reds. This slows the reaction time of the driver following you.

Stock parts, 100% returnable to original if desired.

Get the Hella OEM not repro (which have much poorer micro-lens optical quality). Make sure the metal reflector behind the lens is super shiny. Replace them, or glue foil to the original (metalized Frito bag if you are cheap).


LEDs from Superbright LEDs are good.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/led-light-bulbs-un...ay15d-bulb

Maybe add some reflective red tape to the bumper? Not hard to later remove from good polished chrome.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-24-in-x-2-in-...ww9jaA2BpY
_________________
Current Fleet:
- '71 Fastback
- '69 Westfalia
Retired:
- '67 Beetle
- '65 Beetle (x2)
- '65 Bus
- '71 Squareback

[Eric&Barb]

[shaggysboss]

In regards to increasing visibility of the taillights at night you may want to look into LED replacements that match the current shape. It’s also good to know that there are some 12V LED options out there that look stock but are in fact far brighter. They’re generally very simple to retrofit – you just replace the old bulbs with these. I would suggest trying to find ones with good reviews for longevity, if you prefer to maintain that fresh finish out of the box.

[OldSchoolVW's]

[HarrysRatBug]

I put the Technostalgia rear LED lights. They replace the "guts" of the light (reflector, light socket and wiring). It has a number of LED's, and the brake lights flash three times in about a second when first activated. Bought mine directly from them but I think Jeg's and Speedway sell them for under a hundred.

[jinx758]

@

Maiz67 ...

Just went through this last week on my '71 standard but better visibility is universal (and many threads on it).

a)
Get an "instant on" micro switch for brake lights. I got mine from TheSamba classifieds back about 2016-ish. Easy install & lights instantly come on, not waiting for 22psi for switch to close on MC.

b)3rd brake light mounted high.
I zip tied 2 LED onto the vents - lazy but very effective.

c)
Just got done scraping socket tabs, areas where tab on bracket grounds, pins on bulbs, grounds, & anywhere metal touches metal. Also put dab of axle grease cuz I couldn't find my dielectric grease. I do this yearly, never have light problems.

d)
Formed aluminum foil on inside of bulb holder. Greatly improved light output. Others have used silver paint & inside of chip bag.

Worth the time ... stay safe

jinx

PS -
My bug is WAY uglier than yours !
enjoy it ...
_________________
" It's not valuable unless you learn something from an experience. " Henry Ford

It's not unlike the same difference

"Air does not boil or freeze." Ferdinand Porsche


Cheap parts ain't good
and good parts ain't cheap.

It's hard to win an argument against a smart person.
It's impossible to win an argument against a stupid one.

My Craigslist rescued 100 footer :
1971 Standard Bug
1776cc dual port
034 distributor
38mm EGAS Carburetor

[Maiz67]

H

ello all and happy new year. Been quite busy at work and so just seeing this feedback. I have installed led brake lights and will work on flasher next. I do have a new post regarding my turn signal and switch. I ordered a new unit and the bleeping wires are a totally different color. I have a message sent to the company but hoping that I can get additional feedback and wisdom from the samba nation. Again thanks.

[diablosandwich]

Happy New Year! Maybe this will help with the turn signal switch wiring.




Note…

This reproduction switch does not have OG colored wires

If you buy.... here’s the color code..

Red/Blk stripe is power feed

White/Red stripe is left side indicator

Yellow/Red stripe is right side indicator

Red wire... is not used


There are also 2 brown wires for the dimmer relay...

Solid Brown is grounded,

Brown/White stripe goes to flasher relay

This is from the notes on an eBay auction for a repop 66-67 switch.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/294277118348?_skw=turn+si...ondition=3

Hope it helps, Casey
_________________
1966 Java Greens

[EVfun]

Getting back to the original question, here is something I've seen that seems to make the brake lights stand out more. Reverse the connections between the brake light and the turn signal for each tail light assembly. This will put the brake lights in the top section (it should be the US spec red top tail lights lenses for this) and move the turn signal to be combined with the tail lamp. Then replace the 1156 or 1129 style bulb with the brightest red LED aftermarket bulb you can find. You get snappier, bright, separate brake lights.
_________________

[Maiz67]

This group is so awesome. Thanks for the help. This will keep me busy as I work on the bug. Unfortunately the hazard light components fell apart as I took it out and so I’m looking for a replacement. I have the exact part number at home and it’s an 8 “pin.” The bug is12v. As long as I have such a knowledge group, I want to install some motor cycle brake lights as rear running lights. How should I wire them? Thanks again and happy new year.

[zerotofifty]

I put round trailer lights inside the rear window in each bottom corner. Since mine is a 1961 Bug, my brake and rear turn lights are the same. thus I used two brake lights inside the rear window they serve as both high mount brake and high mount turn lights. Highly visable!!!

Later bugs with seperate brake and turn bulbs can also do this but you use separate filaments in the trailer liights, and thus need more wires to them

I suggest LED on these added lights, as if you use additional regular bulbs you may exceed the safe rating of the brake and turn signal switches You can fry the contacts if you run too many bulbs thru them, OR run a relay to reduce the load on the switches. If you keep standard bulbs in the stock fender housing, and LED in the high mount housing then you want suffer from hyper flashing as can happen if you change out to all LEDS. although some LEDs have built in resistors so flashing rate is normal, BUT they dry more current, so dont add this type if you decide to keep regular bulbs in the fender housings.


This here is the type I used, the round design works well with the rounded window corners...

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Lights/Peterson/4...0%20-%2060

I bent up some sheet metal to make brackets and screed the sheet metal brackets to the fire all below the rear window.

I also i lined the inside of these housing with silver metallic HVAC tape as they are black inside. white paint inside will also work.

These are twin filiment housings, so you can use them with either the early ort late type of VW brake/turn light set ups.
I dont use them for tail lamps, only for brake and turns.

High mount verse bumper mount is MUCH safer

[Maiz67]

Thanks for the info. I am working on getting more led’s as to avoid the draw. It’s a good thing that I bought a wiring harness to install later after I learn about the electrical systems on the original harness. I have found a true passion in the bug. Thanks again and happy new year.

[EVfun]

You may want to avoid using LED for the turn signal bulbs. The low current draw of LEDs can cause the flasher to not work or behave strangely. There are specific flashers that work with LEDs if you choose to convert your turn signals too.
_________________

[wdfifteen]

They make a flasher unit for LED bulbs. It's easy to install. You just need to add a ground wire.

I'm installing one of these LED 3rd brake lights in my 6 volt car. I got it from Vintage Trader (vintagetraderaz.com). It's a bit spendy, but it's ready to install on your license plate or grill right out of the package. My car is a Porsche Speedster so I'm putting it on the engine grill. I might buy a second one for the license plate mount.
I'm sure you can find something cheaper that would have to have some kind of fixture built to hold it. I've seen 6 volt lights for motorcycles on eBay..

I'm planning to find something similar to put on the license plate mount on my 12 volt '65 beetle. Twelve volt 3rd brake lights should be easy to find.

[Maiz67]

Hellooo-

So lots of great ideas. To power these 3rd lights etc, where and how do I splice into? Or do I run a new wire? If I do run a new wire and all the tabs on the fuse box are used how is that issue solved? Thanks

[Eric&Barb]

[Maiz67]

Thanks Eric & Barb. Happy 2025