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moab762 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014 Posts: 518 Location: El Segundo, CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:32 pm Post subject: Brighter tail light, brake light and turn signal bulbs? |
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I'd like to get brighter bulbs for my tail lights, brake lights and turn signals. I live and drive in LA traffic and my car is black. So brighter would be better.
What model number bulbs can I get to make them brighter? I've searched this alot on the forum. But only found answers in the Vanagon section. And don't know that that information holds true with a '67 Beetle. I know enough from reading there that I don't want to go LED though. Just a brighter (higher watt?) bulb in each.
My headlights are H3 or H4 60/55's IIRC. I don't think I want to go much brighter with those though do I? Isn't 55 the legal limit for low beams? I hate it when people use blinding headlights. But I'd be fine with the legal limit. |
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briansandiego Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2012 Posts: 135
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:43 pm Post subject: |
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I replaced my 1157s on my '68 with 2357s, which have a slightly brighter brake light, and they seem to work fine. I'll take any extra light I can get when driving in southern CA.
A little info I found...
http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/taillite.shtml _________________ Stock'ish 1968 Beetle |
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moab762 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014 Posts: 518 Location: El Segundo, CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:48 pm Post subject: |
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briansandiego wrote: |
I replaced my 1157s on my '68 with 2357s, which have a slightly brighter brake light, and they seem to work fine. I'll take any extra light I can get when driving in southern CA.
A little info I found...
http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/taillite.shtml |
Thank you so much! The price is right too! |
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glutamodo The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004 Posts: 26306 Location: Douglas, WY
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:49 pm Post subject: |
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First of all, I would get some GOOD quality European style tail light lenses. Ones where they don't fade to hell and the reflector section actually works, and to get that you really need the Hella name brand on them. The Euro style yellow turn signal section gives a much-needed distinction between the two parts of the lens.
As for bulbs to make them brighter - on a 12V car, "normal" 12V bulbs often do well, provided you are feeding them the maximum voltage. To achieve that, you need good contacts and good ground paths. LED replacement bulbs may very well make them brighter though.
-Andy |
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moab762 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014 Posts: 518 Location: El Segundo, CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:52 pm Post subject: |
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glutamodo wrote: |
First of all, I would get some GOOD quality European style tail light lenses. Ones where they don't fade to hell and the reflector section actually works, and to get that you really need the Hella name brand on them. The Euro style yellow turn signal section gives a much-needed distinction between the two parts of the lens.
As for bulbs to make them brighter - on a 12V car, "normal" 12V bulbs often do well, provided you are feeding them the maximum voltage. To achieve that, you need good contacts and good ground paths. LED replacement bulbs may very well make them brighter though.
-Andy |
That point about lenses makes perfect sense. I'll have to check mine. I know my front ones are old and "crackly" looking. If I switch to a clear front housing with yellow bulbs will that be any brighter? |
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moab762 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014 Posts: 518 Location: El Segundo, CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 9:58 pm Post subject: |
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I'm thinking the GE version of the 2357's is the way to go. It looks like there are single and double filament 2357's? I think the lower light in the tail housing was single and the upper double. Is that correct? What do I need for the front?:
http://www.elightbulbs.com/catalog_search_results.cfm?keywords=2357 |
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glutamodo The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004 Posts: 26306 Location: Douglas, WY
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:02 pm Post subject: |
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Just make sure you have good solid power connections and good ground paths as well!!
Another recommendation is you are a not a 1967 Purist, is to use the 68-69 front lens setup - larger display area!
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moab762 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014 Posts: 518 Location: El Segundo, CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:41 pm Post subject: |
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glutamodo wrote: |
Just make sure you have good solid power connections and good ground paths as well!!
Another recommendation is you are a not a 1967 Purist, is to use the 68-69 front lens setup - larger display area!
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Would clear lenses with yellow bulbs be brighter? |
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glutamodo The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004 Posts: 26306 Location: Douglas, WY
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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Perhaps - I run clear lenses on my 62 with amber bulbs. However I'm not sure what options you have for such a lens for the larger 1968-69 setup. Looks like I'm only seeing complete assemblies sold that way. |
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moab762 Samba Member
Joined: October 09, 2014 Posts: 518 Location: El Segundo, CA
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Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2014 11:37 pm Post subject: |
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glutamodo wrote: |
Perhaps - I run clear lenses on my 62 with amber bulbs. However I'm not sure what options you have for such a lens for the larger 1968-69 setup. Looks like I'm only seeing complete assemblies sold that way. |
Good point. I'm certainly not going to find them for a '67 either! |
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Aussiebug Samba Member
Joined: June 03, 2002 Posts: 2162 Location: Adelaide Australia
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 1:07 am Post subject: |
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You could try replacing the standard bulbs with halogen replacements.
Have a look at this site www.classicandvintagebulbs.com for both LED and Halogen replacement bulbs, then once you have the one you want, you can try the US connection at
www.lbcarco.com (little british car company in MI) which is an agent for the USA and Canada.
You'll notice that Classicandvintagebulbs has halogens for both 12v and 6v volkswagens (P45t double step base) with the bulb-and-reflector headlights, not the sealed beams, which makes for absolutely fantastic headlights on an old Volkswagen.
Even the speedo lights BA9s are available in Halogen, or LED with the required reverse connection -ve. _________________ Rob
Rob and Dave's aircooled VW pages
Repairs and maintenance for the home mechanic
http://www.vw-resource.com |
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shortride Samba Member
Joined: October 10, 2010 Posts: 1323 Location: Oklahoma
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gt1953 Samba Member
Joined: May 08, 2002 Posts: 13846 Location: White Mountains Arizona
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 7:12 am Post subject: |
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I took the VW cheap approach to the repair first without spending any money.
Take the inside of a potato chip or frito bag, eaters preference. It is shiny. Line the reflector area of the front turn signal light and rear tail lights. What a difference. After all the shinyness of fourty plus year reflectors does fade out. Next if you are still not happy buy the brighter bulbs. Then you would have the best of both, shiny reflectors and BRIGHT bulbs. _________________ Volkswagen: We tune what we drive.
Numbers Matching VW's are getting harder to find. Source out the most Stock vehicle and keep that way. You will be glad you did.
72 type 1
72 Squareback
({59 Euro bug, 62, 63, 67, 68, 69, 73 type ones 68 & 69 type two, 68 Ghia all sold}) |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:19 am Post subject: |
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If you want brighter lights, first check what voltage you have at the battery and how much voltage is getting thru to the lights and other electrical items. Then clean up the grounds. Clean both ends of each battery cable and the transaxle to body cable. Use dielectric grease on each connection to keep oxygen and thusly corrosion away for as long as possible.
Have seen as much as 2 volts drop, and an NOS regulator not fully charging the battery. Have been able to get to less than 1/10 volt drop in our VWs. Gotten compliments on how bright our 6 volt headlights are at a VW meet...
If you have the earlier bell shaped headlight switch it is a must to solder up all the riveted connections inside and out. With the H-4 55/60 Watt bulbs we had one of the headlight switch wires slightly bubble from the heat cause by voltage drop.
All pre-1968 fuse boxes need soldering of the inside connections. Touch the fuses after running the headlights for fifteen minutes or more. More than likely the fuses to the headlights will be hot due to voltage drop there and can cause the fuse box to melt. _________________ In Stereo, Where Available! |
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grandpa pete Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2008 Posts: 6426 Location: St. Petersburg, FL
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2014 8:53 am Post subject: |
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Eric&Barb wrote: |
All pre-1968 fuse boxes need soldering of the inside connections. . |
Please elaborate "inside " connections .
inside the car ???
inside the trunk ?
Photo of soldered connections on fuse panel ?
THKS _________________ 63 two fold rag
66 sedan delivery Type 6
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=569619&highlight=sedan+delivery |
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Eric&Barb Samba Member
Joined: September 19, 2004 Posts: 24732 Location: Olympia Wash Rinse & Repeat
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grandpa pete Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2008 Posts: 6426 Location: St. Petersburg, FL
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sfretwell Samba Member
Joined: November 17, 2005 Posts: 87 Location: Roseville, CA
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Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 5:37 pm Post subject: Front Turn Signal Reflectors |
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The front turn signal reflectors behind the light bulb are dull. Has anyone every repair them or painted them silver?
I tried painting them but the paint did not stick. |
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Acab77 Samba Member
Joined: August 09, 2015 Posts: 104 Location: Edgwood, WA
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Posted: Wed May 27, 2020 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Brighter tail light, brake light and turn signal bulbs? |
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Just an hour ago I installed these in my 67
iBrightstar Newest 9-30V Flashing Strobe Blinking Brake Lights 1157 2057 2357 7528 BAY15D LED Bulbs replacement for Tail Brake Stop Lights, Brilliant Red https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RSHZVYJ/
I was testing them during the day with the sun beating down on them and they seem to be pretty stinking bright. I plan on having my wife follow me and let me know if it’s better than before. _________________ SOLD '67 Beetle, "Rose"
SOLD '71 Super Beetle
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'64.5 Ford Mustang
'67 Datsun Roadster
'72 Chevy LUV |
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Daily Double Samba Member
Joined: July 27, 2013 Posts: 66 Location: West Michigan
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Posted: Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:15 am Post subject: Re: Brighter tail light, brake light and turn signal bulbs? |
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I'm assuming you have a 12V system (standard on a 67). These say 9V is lowest voltage.
Anyone have suggestions for a 6V system (66 and earlier)? Which is what I have & theoretically a lot of us in this section of the forum.
I just spent about an hour reading old Samba posts and looking at ads and I can't find any 6V LED tail light systems for the 62-67 tail light style.
Does anyone have something that they've done recently (some posts are almost 10yrs old) that worked?
I did read about LED bulbs that folks didn't feel were any better than clean contact original incandescents bulbs. I don't want to buy something that isn't clearly better. I'm also concerned about having flashers not working with just picking up LED bulbs rather than an assembly that is designed for the tail light.
I'd love to get my standard 6V 1966 Beetle tail lights brighter - please include links to items if you have purchased something that would work.
Thanks! _________________ 66 Sea Blue Type 1 vert |
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