LED brake lights
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Im not too sharp on this subject, but I was told that the blinkers will not work like normal because the LEDs pull such a small amount of current. I assume you would have add something but it could be something simple like a different flasher? If you find anything let us know.
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i just saw in the new jeg's catalog an led conversion for 64 and 65 and 67 through 72.
i think they cost about $100.
i think they cost about $100.
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I had thought about them too.I first seen them on the new Cadillacs.
I was thinking of lining the entire lens with leds instead of just a few in the bulb area.
I was thinking of lining the entire lens with leds instead of just a few in the bulb area.
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21 Posts
the led conversions are by a company called technostalgia. 67chevelle pn#889-6012, 69chevelle pn#889-6018, 70 chevelle pn#889-6017
and the 71-72 pn#889-6022. i thought they covered other years but this is all jegs listed.
and the 71-72 pn#889-6022. i thought they covered other years but this is all jegs listed.
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4,444 Posts
Actually.... 
While on the highway in early 2000, I saw something that certainly caught my eye. A brand-spanking new 2000 Cadillac DeVille DTS with the all-new 100% LED tail lamp system. I knew *right then* this should integrated in a Chevelle. That summer and the winter I built my first prototype. As soon as the spring weather warmed-up enough, out came the '70 for some prelimanary testing. This is the original prototype:
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Well, I haven't had much time to spend on them lately, but it's something I still want to do. LED's are tricky do to their viewable angle in relationship to the angularity of the brake light lenses, not to mention the electronic calculations to run them at the appropriate current consumption levels. Once I get the brightness and placement designs perfected, I wil then do the next phase: squential turnsignals just like the old Thunderbirds and Cougars; the lens will have 3 "columns" of LEDs that squence when a turnsignal is activated, they will glow steady for standard braking. They illuminate at 1/2 brightness for tail indication.
Just thought I'd share that
![]()
While on the highway in early 2000, I saw something that certainly caught my eye. A brand-spanking new 2000 Cadillac DeVille DTS with the all-new 100% LED tail lamp system. I knew *right then* this should integrated in a Chevelle. That summer and the winter I built my first prototype. As soon as the spring weather warmed-up enough, out came the '70 for some prelimanary testing. This is the original prototype:
Well, I haven't had much time to spend on them lately, but it's something I still want to do. LED's are tricky do to their viewable angle in relationship to the angularity of the brake light lenses, not to mention the electronic calculations to run them at the appropriate current consumption levels. Once I get the brightness and placement designs perfected, I wil then do the next phase: squential turnsignals just like the old Thunderbirds and Cougars; the lens will have 3 "columns" of LEDs that squence when a turnsignal is activated, they will glow steady for standard braking. They illuminate at 1/2 brightness for tail indication.
Just thought I'd share that
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5,065 Posts
SuperbrightLED's makes a drop-in replacement for the 1157 bulbs we use today. $6.95 each for a 19-LED setup that plugs right in like the regular bulb. AutoZone sells the same ones for twice the price, but still available.
I just replaced mine with these LED's, and like them - when I hit the brakes with only 1 LED installed and the other a regular bulb, the LED went on immediately, then the regular bulb lit. A noticeable time lag before the regular bulb lit (filament must heat before it gives off light - equates to 1/2 second or so, but it was quite distinctive side-by-side).
Flashers won't work with these bulbs until you replace your thermally activated flasher for an electronic flasher (also readily available).
They also make the gauge cluster bulbs. Once replaced, I won't have to go in to change a bulb for 100,000 hours! (Not done with that yet, but the 2 I put in work just as well as the originals)
I just replaced mine with these LED's, and like them - when I hit the brakes with only 1 LED installed and the other a regular bulb, the LED went on immediately, then the regular bulb lit. A noticeable time lag before the regular bulb lit (filament must heat before it gives off light - equates to 1/2 second or so, but it was quite distinctive side-by-side).
Flashers won't work with these bulbs until you replace your thermally activated flasher for an electronic flasher (also readily available).
They also make the gauge cluster bulbs. Once replaced, I won't have to go in to change a bulb for 100,000 hours! (Not done with that yet, but the 2 I put in work just as well as the originals)
I just installed the LED kit on my 67 chevelle. The kit comes with good instructions and everthing you need. I ordered it from Harmons, they didn't know what I was talking about but they did finally get it for me. Now here's the draw back. The turn signals and flashers do not work, they come on but won't flash. I removed the old #144 flasher and bought a 552/536, the flashers now work, but not the turn signals. I see that someone else mentioned using an electronic flasher. Anyone know which one I should use?
Thanks, Tom
Thanks, Tom
I just installed the technostalgia 69 chevelle kit pn#889-6018, in my 69 Malibu. What a difference!! I also added a third brakelight on the rear deck, and with these changes the rear end really lights up. I got them from Jeg's, installation was easy, it's a very nice kit.
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This is an interesting topic. I have been looking for an LED set up for a 3rd brake light for my El Camino. Haven't had much success. Has anyone found something low key that would work in the back window?
Steve_69:
(You have mail- I sent you some pictures.)
I have some pictures, but can't post them in the Chevelle site. The technostalgia kit is a circuit card about 3" x 6" that mounts into the tail light cavity. Down side= It requires removing the whole tail assembly and taking the lens off to install it. Up side= It gives a large surface area of lights. The pictures I sent to Steve_69 are in broad daylight with the car in the garage with the door open. The center light isn't LED, but could be converted to LED, it is from some Ford (I think?) I found in a junkyard, and cost me $5. My selection criteria was the angle of the rear window. This unit fits up snug against the window, while mounted against the package tray. It only required some trimming to clear the curved sheet metal piece between the glass and the package tray, and I painted it black to match my interior.
(You have mail- I sent you some pictures.)
I have some pictures, but can't post them in the Chevelle site. The technostalgia kit is a circuit card about 3" x 6" that mounts into the tail light cavity. Down side= It requires removing the whole tail assembly and taking the lens off to install it. Up side= It gives a large surface area of lights. The pictures I sent to Steve_69 are in broad daylight with the car in the garage with the door open. The center light isn't LED, but could be converted to LED, it is from some Ford (I think?) I found in a junkyard, and cost me $5. My selection criteria was the angle of the rear window. This unit fits up snug against the window, while mounted against the package tray. It only required some trimming to clear the curved sheet metal piece between the glass and the package tray, and I painted it black to match my interior.
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The GR8PMKN was the test car for the 67 LED lights from Technostalgia. I really like 'em as the 67's didn't have much in the way of rear lights anyhow.
Anyone who's used them for a 67, I'm curious about the instructions. The original instructions (and those on their website) have clear steps on replacing the lamp itself but said nothing about getting to the lamp and steps involved in pulling the lens off, like how to remove the outer trim, maybe even having to remove the center trim piece from the cove to get the taillamp trim off, maybe having to drop the bumper to get the taillamp housing itself off, etc.
LED 3rd brake lights are a relatively easy thing to find in the street rod world.
For something really different, check StreetWaveZ for programmable license plate frames. Probably not much use as a 3rd brake light, but think of the fun you could have with tailgaters!
Anyone who's used them for a 67, I'm curious about the instructions. The original instructions (and those on their website) have clear steps on replacing the lamp itself but said nothing about getting to the lamp and steps involved in pulling the lens off, like how to remove the outer trim, maybe even having to remove the center trim piece from the cove to get the taillamp trim off, maybe having to drop the bumper to get the taillamp housing itself off, etc.
LED 3rd brake lights are a relatively easy thing to find in the street rod world.
For something really different, check StreetWaveZ for programmable license plate frames. Probably not much use as a 3rd brake light, but think of the fun you could have with tailgaters!
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