LED Tail Light Bulbs

[WestyDreamer]

Anyone using the newer LED Tail light bulbs.. Saw that GW and others sell a bulb kit but I'm mainly concerned with the Driving Lights, as they are dim.

I was thinking of using one of those flat LED boards that have 36 or 40 LED's on it and the 1156 style base that would fit into the tail light socket.

Question. Should we use the clear white bulbs or Red LED bulbs, or wouldn't it matter?
.

[kamzcab86]

GW kit reviews: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=512849

VC kit reviews: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=457411

[Ahwahnee]

FWIW -- I went with the 50W brake lights sold by Terry K. Real bright, much brighter than some LEDs I tried -- but too much heat for anything other than brake lights I think.

I used the LEDs for the rear turn signals -- not just brighter but (IMO) a more abrupt flash to them which helps visibility.

[geodude]

My dear wife got me the VC setup for Fathers Day (Love that woman) and what I found was the running lights were much brighter, the reverse are about the same brightness as my old ones that I had added reflectors to (so would likely be brighter than stock), the turn signal and brakes are about the same brightness but much quicker coming on. I had my wife hit the brakes and the LED was on instantly and there was a very noticeable wait until the conventional bulb on the opposite side that I hadn't changed yet came on. I'd guess 0.1 to 0.2 seconds for the conventional light to get bright. That's pretty significant. All in all I think worthwhile change.

I also homebrewed my own headlight relay system with separate power taps for the headlight and highbeams running to two relays in a small weatherproof box. The headlights are much brighter than stock. Went from dim yellowy spots to more of a white beam on the pavement. Much more comparable to a newer car light output. Definitely worth $50 to do.
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1988 GL Camper
1991 Multivan — the basket case

[r39o]

Adding in a better power source system and cleaning / replacing the headlamps makes a HUGE difference, generally.
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"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[joseph928]

[Syncroincity]

I'm running these in red in both my van and the Passat;

http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/tail-brake...tower/526/

They are very bright, and make good use of the reflectors built into the tail lights.

I used some flat panel boards like you described for the brake lights on the van. The leds are white, and I don't like the output compared the the ones above; I'm going to change them out to another set of these. The red LEDs give you a very rich, true red color that really pops out, the white ones behind a red plastic lens look washed-out and pinkish.

I did the panel LEDs in the rear turn signals, too... these I actually like.
It's a fiddly mod for no improvement in output over the tower bulbs above, which pop right in, and it's a pain in the butt to take the tail lights out once they're in. I glued the panels inside the reflectors.

ps. There's 10% off until July 4th. Promo code 070413
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'86 Syncro CHC Top AAZ Turbodiesel
'04 Passat Variant 4Mo 5MT

Vanagon Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=466866&highlight=

[wcdennis]

I was poking around on the web today and discovered these LED tail light assemblies:
http://www.amazon.com/ZNU-Light-Truck-Caravan-Bulb...ail+lights
They are almost exactly the same size as the Vanagon tail light. To get an idea of how they would look, I tried them on with PhotoShop.

I'm not sure about the look, but it would be nice to never have to worry about replacing bulbs ever again. Anybody have an opinion?

PS Not my van, but the same colors.

[Syncro Jael]

I too bought the GoWesty exterior LED kits for our vans. They are very bright and have been flawless for a couple years. Even the backup lights are bright now. It's hard to spend that much on bulbs but I would do it again in a heartbeat.
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1987 Syncro Westfalia Hightop - NAHT
Subaru EJ25 Forged Frankenmotor, Triple Knob.
Jael = (Mountain Goat)

[thatvwbusguy]

I bought a set of fairly similar LED tail lights a while back, but the fit was not quite right. For the relatively small investment, it would be great to know if this model would work on the Vanagon without a lot of custom fabrication.

Another nice option with LED tail lights is faster activation, which can (theroetically at least) help with reaction time for drivers behind you when you hit the brakes.
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Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

[syncrodoka]

[ThankYouJerry]

I have the GW exterior bulbs and like them a lot. However, these LED reverse bulbs are FAR brighter than the ones that came with the GW kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B21RJUU/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

So far, so good.
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1990 Multivan - "Ohana"
1.8T, Auto w/3.27 R&P + Peloquin TBD

[Tom Powell]

[IdahoDoug]

Thanks, Jerry. I ordered those Amazons right away directly from your recommendation.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[luVWagn]

[Tom Powell]

The review on Amazon:
"Light were terrible.... You could not even tell they were on because they were so dim. Would not recommend these lights at all."

Hopefully he wrote that in the daytime.

Do they have both taillights and brake lights in the red lens?
I assume the yellow is for turn signals.
Please post your installation and illumination comments when the job is done.

Aloha
tp

[wcdennis]

It looks like it has already been tried:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5...p;start=20

Thanks for finding the thread I missed, syncrodoka.

thatvwbusguy, who tried the very similar lights, passed on the installation because they were about 1/2" too long.

I have already started down the LED bulb route but, so far, only replaced the back-up lights. I was thinking this unit would be great way to do away with the tenuous sockets in the stock tail light. I think I will hold off for now but if someone wants to try, here is the same unit at a better price (for a pair):
http://www.amazon.com/GENSSI-Trailer-Commercial-Li...JBCPG1ASC2

[IdahoDoug]

One thing I've noted from playing a bit with LEDs is that a large number of dim/cheap LEDs in a tail light doesn't create the same perceived brightness on the road as fewer quality bright LEDs. A lot of sellers are offering the former and crowing about "114 LEDs" but not revealing the LED's draw. For instance, the back up lights I just ordered above are single CREE 7W LED. Those are going to to be very bright for back up lights and CREE is a worldwide leader.

So, don't be blinded by sheer quantities of likely cheap LED which won't look impressively bright in the real world, compared to fewer quality LEDs. And if they don't list the draw (3W, 7W, etc) be suspicious.

DougM
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[JED THE SPREAD]

There is a comprehensive range of quality LED bulbs for a Vanagon right here, http://campervanculture.com/product-category/lighting/ All of them are top quality and have been tested extensively by me personally.

I hope this helps.

Jed
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[Syncro Jael]