LED taillights

beetleboy88 Officially Full-On Dubber

255 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 26 Jun 2011, 6:27 pm

#848476

Hey guys. I did a search on here but couldn't find any info. Also did a google search but no luck either. My taillights are looking really aged and I was thinking of upgrading to some LED's to modernize it up a bit. The only kits I found were for sale in the US. Are there any places in Australia that are selling LED taillight kits for a 73' Super? really not keen on paying $160 each for some from cip1.
Cheers, Quin

1973 Super Beetle

DylanTheDubber Custom Title Time!

1,252 posts · joined Jun 2009 · 26 Jun 2011, 7:29 pm

#848495

Im wanting the same. Im Thinking of making my own tho. I want them to be black lenses but have bright leds that light up real bright when turned on.
I dont like cip1 lights the colours arnt in the right possitions and cost is abit much.

From Dylan

Birdman Wolfsburg Wizard

428 posts · joined May 2010 · 26 Jun 2011, 7:48 pm

#848497

I think Mid American Motorworks do some but they are super pricey

greeno72 Learner Dubber

15 posts · joined Apr 2010 · 26 Jun 2011, 8:42 pm

#848514

check out www.cool-LEDs.com i ought a set for my 58 and they are great

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Jun 2011, 9:20 pm

#848525

beetleboy88 wrote:Hey guys. I did a search on here but couldn't find any info. Also did a google search but no luck either. My taillights are looking really aged and I was thinking of upgrading to some LED's to modernize it up a bit. The only kits I found were for sale in the US. Are there any places in Australia that are selling LED taillight kits for a 73' Super? really not keen on paying $160 each for some from cip1.
Cheers, Quin

Hi Quin

You can use NEW lenses and use LED Bulbs....

I have some 12 volt blinker bulbs that have 18 leds facing outwards ...
and just tested them and they are bright AMBER

and stop tail LED bulbs 9 LEDs facing outwards and 27 LEDs facing outwards around the bulb.. just tested and they are bright RED... and get brighter with the brakes on..

If Your Lenses are faded etc these bulbs will be the correct colors...

$25 posted to You...

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 26 Jun 2011, 9:37 pm

#848531

Are you wanting complete replacement units for the elephants feet housings?

I did what the others mentioned and replaced all the bulbs for LEDs but kept a stock lense.
I had all clear lenses at the time and the red and amber bulbs inside ruined the look.

Although I did swap back to normal bulbs for indicators, LEDs aren't safe for indicators, they;re not wide angle enough, even the so called "wide angle" ones like I used.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Jun 2011, 9:38 pm

#848534

Some of the 1303 or L beetle large round tail lamps I've seen for sale in the USA had 4 bulbs in them...

stop/tail bulb - blinker - reverse lamp

so, maybe an extra stop lamp or rear fog lamp???

LEE

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 26 Jun 2011, 9:42 pm

#848536

Nah they had 2 brake/tail bulbs in the middle section.

68AutoBug Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138\% - YIKES --

11,654 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 26 Jun 2011, 9:43 pm

#848538

Joel wrote:Are you wanting complete replacement units for the elephants feet housings?

I did what the others mentioned and replaced all the bulbs for LEDs but kept a stock lense.
I had all clear lenses at the time and the red and amber bulbs inside ruined the look.

Although I did swap back to normal bulbs for indicators, LEDs aren't safe for indicators, they;re not wide angle enough, even the so called "wide angle" ones like I used.

Yes,
the problem is that LEDs don't use reflectors like ordinary bulbs can...
there are brighter LEDs coming out all the time...
SMDs are good but haven't seen them as tail/stop bulbs yet..

there are magnifying types 12v dc made for down lights..
I have a couple on order to see how they go as downlights...
4 watts 12 volts DC... and 6 watts 12v DC..

could be made to fit any tail lamps...

LEE

PS: there are the very bright CREE LEDs but they are still over $50 at the moment.. [downlight types] 12v DC
Lee

- Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY---

beetleboy88 Officially Full-On Dubber

255 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 27 Jun 2011, 12:37 pm

#848616

yeah the actual units are fine. I just need new lenses as they are really faded and they let the look of the car down quite a bit. So All I need to do is buy new lenses and some of those LED bulbs and it will be all sweet? Do those LED bulbs fit straight into the normal fitting that is currently on there or will I have to modify it?.....
https://www.classicveedub.com.au/cvd_new/part_detail.aspx?parts_id=16115

1973 Super Beetle

Joel Now containing 100\% E-Wang

9,368 posts · joined Feb 2006 · 27 Jun 2011, 12:44 pm

#848618

If you're using the LEDs for indicators you'll need a LED compatible flasher relay so they don't hyperflash.

Most VW shops will sell just the lenses without the bases.
I got my current ones from Jack at Goldcoast VW
They're starting to fade abit now but they have been on for 11 years.