Anyone got any broken Ferrari tail lights? Or interested in LED tail lights?

The problem I've found with using them in the front turn signals or parking lights is that the LED lights don't diffuse to the side very well so the ones I've tried show circles on the amber plastic lens making it look un-normal.

 

My primary justification for the swap from incandescent lamps to LED's was to minimize current when these lamps were illuminated, thus reducing the electrical load on the various electrical circuits and switches in my 26 year old car. Other important side benefits included brighter light and cooler operation so as to protect the fragile and brittle plastic light housings from further deterioration due to excessive bulb heat.

Mike is correct in noting above that many LED bulbs are directional, like flashlights - that is, they project a strong beam of light on axis, and less so off axis. This is one of the reasons why I have not yet replaced any of the incandescent rear turn signal / brake lights, since I wanted these critical rear lights to be easily visible from all directions. (Also, you can't use larger diameter LED bulbs in the rear anyways since these have to pass thru a backside light housing hole). The resulting "look" of the LED bulbs shining thru the lens covers is dependent upon the diffraction pattern of the various OEM plastic lens covers. In all cases, if given the choice when ordering replacement LED's, I'd recommend selecting the "wide viewing angle" option.

So, for posterity, here's exactly what I used:

a) 6-LED lamps, style 194, for the side marker lights. One pair in amber, one pair in red, which gives a brighter result than simply using the same white LED's behind the different amber / red lens covers.

b) 9-LED white lamps, style 67 for the license plate illumination lights. I lined the area above these bulbs with aluminum foil so to better reflect the light "down" onto the license plate.

c) 30-LED amber lamps, style 1156 for the front turn signals. I had no problems with my flasher; it now works just the same as it did with the original incandescent bulbs. The picture which I posted above shows this pair of lamps side by side.

d) 30-LED white lamps, style 1156 for the front parking lights. These replace the wimpy style 67 bulbs for this function. They really look sharp shining thru the white portion of my two-tone white / amber Euro front lenses - almost like tiny aftermarket Cibie driving lights. If you are using the standard USA all-amber front lens covers, then I'd instead recommend ordering these LED's in amber, same item as the turn signals above.

I ordered all of my LED's from: http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm since this firm gave me same day shipment when ordered on line with a credit card. There are no doubt other vendors who offer similar items.

This swap is an easy and inexpensive lighting upgrade with numerous practical benefits, and I strongly recommend it.

Cheers - DM

 

Sounds nice. Do you have any pics - say at sunset?

 

Basically, they don't look different enough from incandescent that this would show up in a dusk digital picture.

Since these LED lamps are so inexpensive, if you are undecided, just go ahead and pick them up and give them a try yourself!

Cheers - DM

 

LEDs can look different:
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