LED Tail Light Bulbs

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:00 pm

Has anyone used these? Would there be an issue with the voltage or the BCM? Thinking about getting a set for the turn signals and brake lights. I've heard that since they are "instantly on" as opposed to gradually brightening like standard light bulbs, they are actually safer because they decrease reaction time and stopping distance by following vehicles. Let's hear your input, thanks!

KJKev · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:44 pm

Not sure if human reaction time would actually be less or not. I would think the small difference between LED's and incandescents would not be enough to make a real difference. I mean, over the road truck trailers have had LED's for quite a while and I'm not convinced the normal driver knows the difference.

LED's use less power, so the voltage intake should be less. But once again, is it enough to make a difference? I would think the BCM would not have a problem if the decrease is so slight.

BTW, I saw a pair for the Libby at around #299. Too steep for me...LOL.

What lights are you looking at.

KJKev

JIMMY JEEP · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 5:51 pm

I think you may need some sort of resistor ,but i'm not sure if that is just for led indicator lights.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:04 pm

I have read that the resistor is built in. They make LED's with the bulb base so they are a direct swap. I started to get a set at my auto parts place and the guy there said "don't waste your time", they don't work right. But other people say they are just fine. Who knows? :?:

They are brighter.

Terry

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 6:18 pm

If you run LEDs front and rear then you will get the "quck flash" but on one end you should be OK. They also do make a "LED " flasher that is suppose to work pretty well. Lots of discussion and write ups over on ROF since a lot of those guys switch out their lights for LEDs. Lots of tricks to get them to work right :wink:

As far as coming on sooner the eye would not be able to detect it at all.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:32 pm

tommudd wrote:

Lots of discussion and write ups over on ROF since a lot of those guys switch out their lights for LEDs. Lots of tricks to get them to work right :wink:

Tom, mind posting a link to that forum so those who are interested can take a look?

tommudd · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 7:58 pm

Was just over there trying to find it, I will look after while when I get my wifes Christmas list of things to do done :roll:

Cant (hardly ) live with them and cant (hardly ) live with out them.

But its on the Rubicon Owners Forum

off to Macys/ J.C. Pennys etc ......wish me luck..........

Tom

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 10:31 pm

You can get LEB bulbs that insert into standard sockets, those have a built in resistor to make them flash like normal bulbs.

LEDs do light up quicker, often times the sudden "flash" of them coming on is a little more attention grabbing than the .25 secs it takes for conventional bulbs to fully light up.

If you make your own you will need to cluster them along with a resistor to get the voltage to 12V and so that they do not blink too fast.

Though if you dont use the resistor you can always replace the flasher unit with one more appropriate for the LEDs.

KJ4ME · **Posted:** Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:27 pm

there have been several tests done by independent companies and they found that that split second difference when traveling on a highway at 60MPH can equal up to like 20 feet of extra distance in reaction time.
there is a chevy trailblazer on my base that put some led's in his regular sockets and i dont recommend you do the same and heres why... they are, his at least, are small so in daylight he might as well have no brake lights at all, and at night they are dim so again he might as well not have any lights at all. but then again the brake light housing in a trailblazer is a multiflector designed to work with a light source that has a wide beam pattern... like an incandescent bulb. LED's typically have a narrow beam pattern so they arent as bright because light dosent bounce or reflect off of the multiflector surface. so it may work alot better in a liberty since we have old school style housings and covers.

i say try it

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Sun Dec 23, 2007 2:44 pm

Thank you KJ4ME, that's the info I was looking for but couldn't find it in a timely fashion. I do plan on trying them out if I can find a decent high-quality set. They're all over eBay but I'd have to find the right set from the right seller.

NomadKJ · **Posted:** Mon Dec 24, 2007 1:58 am

http://www.superbrightleds.com/carbulb-notes.htm

corwyyn · **Posted:** Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:26 am

Thanks for posting that Nomad, I had run across that site a few weeks ago then lost the url. Gonna try to order some of those this week (maybe).

Rush345 · **Posted:** Mon Dec 24, 2007 5:50 am

Check out:

http://www.ledtronics.com/ds/aut3157/

http://www.stylintrucks.com/parts.aspx? ... od_ids=267

Hope this helps

greenrider · **Posted:** Mon Dec 24, 2007 7:51 am

The led lights are cool looking but where i live in the winter time they are not as good ( because ) they do not give off any heat and when driving in snow when it sticks to the rear of the vehicle the snow will not melt off the lights (now no light on rear. I have a big truck and took then off and put the ragular one's back on for the winter .

csukoh78 · **Joined:** Thu Mar 08, 2007 10:34 pm **Posts:** 501

Ever wonder why Lexus went to LED's?

They did a pretty in depth study...other than looking cool, which they do, they do light up from .15-.25 seconds quicker, just like KJ4me said. This gave an average of 15 feet extra stopping distance at 60mph, and over 25 feet at 80mph. Those two or three car lengths have prevented quite a few wrecks, and they can boast this on their safety ratings.

They are also MUCH brighter than bulbs...these things can rupture your retinas, I know, I used to have a G35 and I would blind people. Cadillac has "panic sensitive lighting adjustment" on their LED's.....basically, if you are coasting to a stop, they glow and don't light up very brightly. But if you slam on the brakes, they come on instantly at 100% and will light up a freaking city block. I avoided rear ending a car because of this on a foggy night. I am convinced I would have hit her if she didnt have them....when she stomped on the brakes it lit up that fog bank like a forest fire.

n3qik · **Posted:** Tue Dec 25, 2007 12:46 pm

I have tried LED lamps, Had the same results as KJ4ME stated. If the housing was designed for LED's they will work better than regular lamps.

jinstall · **Posted:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:53 pm

Well the rears are completely done. I learned a little on the way, at a price.

Not all LED are the same, look at what you are getting.

WHERE THE HELL IS THE FLASHER?!?!?!?!? I hear something clicking behind the 4 way switich, I will will be opening it up this week.

SMT 1 watt LED are the way to go, normal LED do not work.

Install the SAME COLOR LED in your housing. RED in RED, AMBER IN AMBER and WHITE IN WHITE. WHITE DOES NOT WORK IN RED. 2X$25 lessen learned. I could have returnrd them but it was my mistake.

WHERE THE HELL IS THE FLASHER?!?!?!??!

Way better light, no more issues of people not noticing I am stopping or changing lanes.

Biggest differenc is the AMBER turn signals, they are BRIGHT.

I am about to do the front and maybe the sides.

jinstall · **Posted:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 3:55 pm

KJ4ME wrote:

there have been several tests done by independent companies and they found that that split second difference when traveling on a highway at 60MPH can equal up to like 20 feet of extra distance in reaction time.
there is a chevy trailblazer on my base that put some led's in his regular sockets and i dont recommend you do the same and heres why... they are, his at least, are small so in daylight he might as well have no brake lights at all, and at night they are dim so again he might as well not have any lights at all. but then again the brake light housing in a trailblazer is a multiflector designed to work with a light source that has a wide beam pattern... like an incandescent bulb. LED's typically have a narrow beam pattern so they arent as bright because light dosent bounce or reflect off of the multiflector surface. so it may work alot better in a liberty since we have old school style housings and covers.

i say try it

Try 100 mph. I think your friend bought some cheap LEDs and got what he paid for.

n3qik · **Posted:** Mon Mar 31, 2008 5:39 pm

Any pics or links to what LEDs you used.

jinstall · **Posted:** Tue Apr 01, 2008 1:46 am

http://autolumination.com/

Eagle Eye tower

LED Tail Light Bulbs

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