65 GTO Tail lights
 

I dont know about everyone else but mine are really dim, especially during the day. Im always nervous someone is going to rear end me. I did the normal tricks. Painted the back of the housing white. Buffed the lenses' themselves. Put new bulbs in them, made sure all the connections were good. But still not too much better.

Wondering if anyone has tried LED tail lights? In the new '65 im building im thinking I might try it, but that will be manly a race car only. But if it works ill do it to my REAL GTO.

I was having a very similar problem with my utility trailer lights. The tail lights were on, but so dim you could hardly see them. It ended up being a weak ground wire - once I cleaned and made sure it was a good ground, the tail lights were much much brighter. You may want to check your ground and see if that helps.

Keep informed on how the LED works out. Like most older cars tail lights not the best. Chrome paint works better than white. Another easy. Thin gauge stainless strip polished up around the bulb is good also. Also try a search someone tryed brighter bulbs with good and bad results. Think it was sandman joe but not sure

I've got LEDs in my '65 and they are BRIGHT. They are still partially blocked by the grilles, but a 1000% improvement over the stock bulbs. Got mine for about $18 at Autozone.

Do you just replace the bulbs with the LED bulbs or does it require any other modification?

Old bulbs out, LEDs in. That's it.

Did you get red LED lights or white?
Mike

Same problem with my 65.Do you know the LED brand and bulb #? I tried one once and it wouldn't even light up.I don't remember what brand I tried.

It's been a while, so I'm having trouble remembering. I think there were only two options at Autozone, and I cross-referenced the original bulb PN with the LEDs. I think they had a list of regular bulb numbers which they replaced on the packaging.

I'll check the local Autozone,thanks.

bulbs
 

I have found most led replacement bulbs do not last very long.Check Dakota Digital for replacement led circuit board lights. I put them in my 69 chevelle, and they are awsome. I will be at the Goodguy's in Columbus this weekend, and someone always have them for sale there. I will post where you can get them when I return. Dale

The LED's will also work out very well for the parking lights. You may have to however trim the steel ring just below the glass bulb to fit the factory socket. The original 1157 bulbs do not have this trim ting so a little modification is all that it takes and the LED's will fit right in, a much better light source, again you may want to enhance the background with white or chrome paint to get the most out of the LED's.

Tim john---

When I checked autozone a few months back they only had read and the salesman told me they would not show up well in a red taillight, said they were more for the clear taillights on newer cars, are you guys using red led's?
Mike

Check older post...
 

I think this is a common problem. Check out this thread http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=525293 It has the socket and part # at Advanced Auto to help the problem...

led
 

My luck with the replacement led lights like the 1157 led, were all junk in a few months. I sold them at my shop for a short time, and almost all came back. many caused shorts, popped the taillight fuse, and melted the socket. Maybe some are better now, but the will not reflect off of your taillight inner housing, no matter what color you paint them. They are a direct facing loght only, not like incadescent lights, that are 360 degree light