Modifying existing lights vs new ones

[tngreenmachine]

Although my truck is pretty modified I like the stock look. My modifications have been limited to the drivetrain only. I am in sore need of brighter lights. I have read about some sort of Led upgrade for the stock lights and I have seen some similar looking tail lights with the Led's already in there. I would like to hear from anyone who has done it either way and their opinions on the two. Part of my issue is running 24v bulbs on 12v and they are pretty dim. (i am only talking about tail lights as I have some 12 v turn signals)

[LuckyPabst]

Why not just start with using 12v bulbs to see if that's enough improvement for you?

Chris

[FSJGuy]

I'd say that IS your issue. If you're running 24V bulbs @ 12V, they will be terribly dim. Try 12V bulbs before you jump @ LEDs. The LEDs are EXTREMELY bright IF you are directly behind them. They are not great if the viewer is off to the side. For this reason, I added some regular tail lights to my truck.

[Barrman]

Put the 12V bulbs in. They really help. The top left bulb and the bottom bulb are the small ones and are your running light and b/o light respectively. The top right bulb is your blinker/brake light. Put a regular 1156 bulb in there and it is very bright with the little bittly lens embedded in the oval glass for the top bulbs.

The 1156 is a single element bulb used on most cars for about 50 years. Finding one is easy. However, the 24V bulb that is supposed to go in there is a dual element single wire bulb. It is extremely bright on 24V but because it is double element, is just a warm glow on 12V.

[brute4c]

One member turned the stock housings on a lathe and cut out a little of the interior...he then put in Grote LED round lights and put the light covers back on....I assume there was a sealant of some kind.

Later, he cut out the metal on the cover so it was just the ring around the edge with a lip instead of the "windows" look it has stock.
Personally, I thought the finished product looked good and was plenty bright...but you have to cut up a stock part that can be tuned back into a stock part....if that matters.

Replacement LED's of both the mil style and the civvy kind have been used to good effect as well.