LED Taillights?

[jscherf92]

I know replacement taillight assemblys for the vibe arent avaliable from anyone but would these be the right size? according to a bulb code chart on the forum here the rear light and rear signals are 7443 and 7440, but are they direct replacements? Also, does anyone know how to take these apart? do you have to bake em like with headlights?

[Wolfman213]

Whelan took his taillamps apart and they were plastic welded. He has a Matrix, however, I have a Vibe taillamp that appears to be plastic welded as well. He and I are both in the process of making LED taillamps. He's further along than I am, but I'm trying to do some complex things with them and am still research which microcontrollers to use.

[jscherf92]

so you dont think i could just take em apart and swap the bulb? or are you going for an extremely custom thing?

[Wolfman213]

if you are simply wanting to change the bulb, then you should be able to access them from behind. Yeah, we are going extreme custom lol. We are actually using bread boards and running leds on there. When changing to and LED bulb, more likely than not, you are going to have to get high powered, multiple LED bulb in order to keep up the brightness level, not to mention in most cases it will create the fast blink. Basically the LED bulb doesn't draw enough power therfore making the system think that you have a bulb blown out. You'll need a resitor wired inline with the positive wire to prevent that. Check out places like oznium, superbrightleds, autolumination, among others and you'll be able to pick up a lot of other stuff from just nibbing around there and seeing what all can be involved with stuff like that.

[jscherf92]

yeah im looking at the correct bulb code in an LED bulb on SuperbrightLeds. so ill need some sort of basic resistor setup? im guessing the best way to know is to email the company.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by jscherf92 »I know replacement taillight assembly's for the vibe aren't available from anyone but would these be the right size? according to a bulb code chart on the forum here the rear light and rear signals are 7443 and 7440, but are they direct replacements? Also, does anyone know how to take these apart? do you have to bake em like with headlights?Yes. 7440 & 7443 bulbs are direct replacements.I too have been looking for a clear lens, LED tail light replacement, but haven't found anything close.Most modern tail lamps are not designed to come apart again once put together by the factory. They are usually flash welded and would require cutting them apart after that. They do not use a sealant like with headlamps lenses are to the reflector housing but a permanent install.Dremel cutting is VERY likely to be required and then another method of reattaching the lens to the base.The easiest way to get LED tails is to buy pre-made bulb replacements, using a ballast to compensate for the lack of resistance in the circuit.If you are a little more adventuresome, you might cut off the lens, or even the reflector from the back and install LED panels. But of course unless you create new lenses, the tails will appear the same as before (red/amber) until turned on.

[Wolfman213]

Actually you do not need to create a new lens for LEDs to look different in the taillight housing. Since the LEDs are mainly focused at either 30, 45, 90 or 130 degree angles, they are easier to distinguish. Direct replacement LED bulbs either use a high powered (1 or 3 watt LED) or several surface mount LEDs, they tend to be more focused and direct than a regular halogen bulb. If you are wanting something unique to make the world know you have LEDs in the taillights, that you will have to attempt what Whelan and I are doing. I can't speak for him, but logic would assume, that we will be using several (20, 30, 50, who knows) LEDs to get the desired effect.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Wolfman213 »Actually you do not need to create a new lens for LEDs to look different in the taillight housing.Yes. W/O new (clear) outer lenses the only difference you'll see is a quicker reaction time... approx. 4/10 - 6/10 of a second quicker to full output.May I also suggest that if you will be using the OE lenses, use red LEDs where the lens is red and yellow/amber ones where it is amber.Using white LEDs will only turn the output of the red lens to pink and wash out the amber. Not a very nice, or professional look.

[Wolfman213]

Quote, originally posted by 06pvibe »May I also suggest that if you will be using the OE lenses, use red LEDs where the lens is red and yellow/amber ones where it is amber.Using white LEDs will only turn the output of the red lens to pink and wash out the amber. Not a very nice, or professional look.Good point for the OP. That's the one thing that many people do not realize in using LEDs. You will need to color match otherwise it's going to look sloopy. I was not aware of the pink coloring, mainly bc I've never used white in a red lens, but those are things that you will need to keep in mind when selecting you LED bulbs.

[06pvibe]

Quote, originally posted by Wolfman213 »Good point for the OP. That's the one thing that many people do not realize in using LEDs. You will need to color match otherwise it's going to look sloopy. I was not aware of the pink coloring, mainly bc I've never used white in a red lens, but those are things that you will need to keep in mind when selecting you LED bulbs.Is that like, "Hang on Sloopy?" Hahahaha!!A few years ago when LED "bulbs" were relatively new in the automotive aM, you'd see a number of cars that had "pink" running, brake or turn signal lights. I always wondered what the deal was until I originally wanted install them in my Mazda3. I wrote the folks @ AutoLumination for some info and that's when I learned about color matching the bulbs to the lens. Then it made sense. We all live, and we all learn... even old farts like me.

[jscherf92]

But even with the stock lenses you should be able to see defined dots from the LEDs, especially if the purpose is a custom look, right? or is there some sort of shaping that projects the light differently?

[Wolfman213]

Yes, you will notice the defined LEDs. If you get a direct replacement bulb, it's not going to be as noticeable simply bc there are going to be very few forward facing leds. Going the route like Whelan and I, yes, you will definitely notice the individual LEDs

[jscherf92]

Just a quick update, after emailing the bulb company, they do suggest a flasher module or an inline resistor.

[vibolista]

LED replacement in the rear lenses, anyone done it yet? And comments of the results and the LEDs used?

[tahitibluemg]

Has anyone had success with replacing the original back up bulbs with led bulbs? I am looking for led bulbs that are brighter than the original and of good quality with a guarantee of replacement if they burn out.

thanks,
tahitibluemg

[ehoff121]

I replaced my reverse bulbs with LEDs. The work well.

I got them off of ebay. I think they were "projector lens" type bulbs.