MGB & GT Forum

LED Taillight Bulbs

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

LED Taillight Bulbs #1
MagnumRT05 Richard F. Cleveland, OH, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 04:27 PM Joined 13 years ago 52 Posts

I'm looking for new LED bulbs for my taillights and parking lights. I'm wondering if there is a consensus regarding which bulb style is the best for overall output, ie tower or "flat" style. I'm assuming the "flat" styles may create an odd looking circle on the taillight lens but is the overall output brighter?

Tower
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Red-18-LED-Car-Auto-Tail-Rear-Turn-Brake-Light-Bulbs-Lamp-BAY15D-1157-2057-12V-/190842214805?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c6f151995&vxp=mtr

Flat style
http://www.ebay.com/itm/140837902249?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

http://www.ebay.com/itm/371108305569?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

image.jpg 2.6 KB

image.jpg 4.1 KB

image.jpg 3.7 KB

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Sponsored Links. Become a

Supporting Member to hide this ad & support a small business

Re: LED Taillight Bulbs #2
LannM Lann Mauck Verdigris, OK, USA Sign in to contact 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone "The Queen" 1963 MG MGB 1967 MG MGB GT	Sep 17, 2014 04:48 PM Top Contributor Joined 18 years ago 1,237 Posts

You shouldn't have a problem unless you really get carried away, but make sure the bulb will fit inside the lens. The Bs weren't much of a problem but I had to try several different bulbs before I found one that would fit the Magnette. Just the difference in lamp bodies.

Lann

Lann Mauck
Three Main LLC
Desktop Badge Bars and other odds and ends
www.ThreeMainLLC.com

Three Main LLC ThreeMainLLC.com

Desk Top Badge Bars, GT Spare Tire Cover Strut Kits, Dipstick Toppers and other odds and ends.

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: LED Taillight Bulbs #3
makka45 Peter M Frankston, Victoria, Australia Sign in to contact 1971 MG MGB GT "WhiteGT"	Sep 18, 2014 05:06 AM Joined 10 years ago 19 Posts

Richard. In Australia we (fortunately) do not have the US type side lights. I have fitted the tower type LED's to provide some
side vision for both the tail/brake lamps, which was not so good with the std bulbs. At night the side vision is good and makes the car very visible.
The light output is a vast improvement over the std bulbs.

Hope this helps,

Peter.

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: LED Taillight Bulbs #4
joemamma Robert White Monroe,NC 28112, USA Sign in to contact 1968 Triumph TR250 1975 Triumph TR6	Sep 18, 2014 05:13 AM Top Contributor Joined 18 years ago 3,060 Posts

Research lumens! I purchased LED bulbs and did not know to check the lumens numbers. They were no brighter than the regular bulbs I removed.

Bob
2x 63 MGB, 67 MGBGT, 77MGB , 68 Triumph TR250, 64 MGB

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Sponsored Links. Become a

Supporting Member to hide this ad & support a small business

Re: LED Taillight Bulbs #5
mac townsend Fairfield, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB MkIII	Sep 18, 2014 12:37 PM Top Contributor Joined 18 years ago 24,294 Posts

many of the B's sockets are recessed. LED should emanate from the top for these. If socket is not recessed, then the tower style could work.

1973 Pale Primrose Roadster. A nice 10-footer!
SUs, Datsun 5-speed

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: LED Taillight Bulbs #6
MagnumRT05 Richard F. Cleveland, OH, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 22, 2014 02:22 PM Joined 13 years ago 52 Posts

Well, the flat ones won't work, for me at least. The truly flat one (bulb #2 above) I couldn't get screwed into the socket as there is nowhere to grab on to (there's a metal "reflector" around the socket on my 74). The other rear-facing only one put out a dim light and looked horrendous as it created a bright circle on the lens with little light output around it (read: looked like someone taped a red dime to the inside of the lens). Not the look I wanted.

Unfortunately, I don't have any shops even remotely close to me that carry 1157 "tower" LED bulbs. Debating on whether or not to order them and wait a month to receive them from China. FWIW, they are 140 Lumen (max) for anyone that cares about that sort of thing and/or is researching.

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Re: LED Taillight Bulbs #7
Aphyle2012 Eric Pyle Shenandoah Valley, VA, USA Sign in to contact 1968 Triumph TR250 1971 MG MGB GT 1971 MG MGB MkII	Sep 22, 2014 02:37 PM Joined 12 years ago 974 Posts

I used these:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/tail-brake-turn/1157-led-bulb-dual-intensity-1-x-3-watt-high-power-led-w-reflector-lens/922/2257/

I also wired in these:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/led-vehicle-replacement-bulbs/36-led-1156-pcb-lamp/501/784/

behind the square part of the tail lamp. I should note that I rewired everything and got UK-spec tail lamp lenses, so that the top is the amber flasher, and the bottom 3/4 is tail lamp/brake lamp. I've got easily 4x the brake light than I had before.

When you use these in your tail lamps, be sure to order a pair of these:

https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/car-install-supplies/tail-light-load-resistor-kit/190/831/

My tachometer was jumping 1500 RPM everytime I touched the brakes before I got these, and that was with brand new wiring! Be careful - they get REALLY hot in city traffic.

Was this post helpful or interesting?

Yes No Thank

Topic List Forum List Newer Older Start New Topic

To reply or ask your own question:

or

Registration is FREE and takes less than a minute

Forums

Having trouble posting or changing forum settings?
Read the Forum Help (FAQ) or contact the webmaster

MGB & GT Forum

LED Taillight Bulbs

To reply or ask your own question:Members Sign InorCreate an AccountRegistration is FREE and takes less than a minute

To reply or ask your own question:

or

Registration is FREE and takes less than a minute