LED Tail Lights
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Palm Bay, Florida
LED Tail Lights
Is anyone running LED tail Lights on their truck?
I'm looking into adding them to mine.
There are several styles (and price ranges) out there....
I have found them for just under $100 to over $200 a set.
I'm looking at normal looking red lens, not the clear or smoked...
I'm looking into adding them to mine.
There are several styles (and price ranges) out there....
I have found them for just under $100 to over $200 a set.
I'm looking at normal looking red lens, not the clear or smoked...
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
Likes: 125
From: Colorado Springs
Rick, I have the same question. Clay has some but I’m not paying that amount $$$. I don’t remember where I read it but I read somewhere that LED tail lights interference with something on the truck, I thought it was transmission? Correct me if I’m wrong...
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
I believe the "interference" is when there is no resistor built into the light kit and the result is a really fast blinking turn signal as if you have a burned out bulb. The built in resistor creates the proper resistance in the light circuit so that your turn signal blinks at the proper rate. If there is truly some other interference with other truck systems, I want to know about it as well because I've also been looking at some rear LED kits.
My personal favorite is linked here...
https://www.carid.com/2005-ford-f-25...659511411.html
My personal favorite is linked here...
https://www.carid.com/2005-ford-f-25...659511411.html
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
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From: Colorado Springs
Pete, The interference I believe had to do the Pulse Wave Modulation of the transmission or TC. But I know what you’re referring to, I had to change the flasher relay to an LED relay to control the flashing.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Henderson, NV
Originally Posted by Wesley Green
I replaced every incandescent bulb with LEDs on the entire truck for less than 1 of those one piece tail lights, just another option for ya
Originally Posted by F250_
I believe the "interference" is when there is no resistor built into the light kit and the result is a really fast blinking turn signal as if you have a burned out bulb. The built in resistor creates the proper resistance in the light circuit so that your turn signal blinks at the proper rate.
LED bulbs with resistors built-in are more for vehicles that have blown bulb detection and usually cost more. Our trucks don't have blown bulb detection.
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
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From: North of Greenville
Can you explain further, or point me towards a thread where this has been discussed? I don't want to waste time with a kit if it's just going to raise H377 with either my trans or TC. Perhaps some type of shielding can mitigate the interference?
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Colorado Springs
Pete, First, I can’t find anything searching through google other than the installation or installer issues. Second, I remember now, a neighbor talked to me about it something about third brake LED light affecting the transmission but I also member he had an OBS truck. So maybe I making something about nothing.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
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From: Muskogee, Ok
I don't get the whole resistor thing. Buy a $3 resistor and add it to the wiring, pre-socket to every place you change to a LED just so you don't have to buy a $12 electronic flasher to replace the old filament/spring operated flasher. That's not to mention the heat build up of the resistors and cut insulation. The wiring in the truck will be better off pulling less power for the LEDs. Especially if your trailer is all LED as well
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
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From: North of Greenville
Thanks, John.
Wesley, you bring up a good point. My comment was more in relation to getting LED bulbs which have built in resistance, and not in cutting the wiring to add specific resistors on each circuit. The issue also only relates to the flasher bulbs and not all the other bulb locations.
Wesley, you bring up a good point. My comment was more in relation to getting LED bulbs which have built in resistance, and not in cutting the wiring to add specific resistors on each circuit. The issue also only relates to the flasher bulbs and not all the other bulb locations.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,679
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From: Fallon,NV & Bainbridge OH
I took my stock lights, cut open the backside and mounted one of these in each side. I changed over to an electronic flasher to get the flash rate correct, other than that there has been no issues for 8-10 years. I used a combination of hot glue and silicone to seal up the housings around the oval led lamps. Heck of a lot cheaper than most of your other options.
https://www.grote.com/family/hi-coun...l-turn-lights/
https://www.grote.com/family/hi-coun...l-turn-lights/
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,807
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From: Colorado Springs
I really dislike y’all right about now...
. I found these, prices are reasonable IMO anyway.
Ford F350 Super Duty 1999-2007 Red Clear LED Tail Lights | A137QK77109 - TopGearAutosport
. I found these, prices are reasonable IMO anyway. Ford F350 Super Duty 1999-2007 Red Clear LED Tail Lights | A137QK77109 - TopGearAutosport
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Earth
I believe the "interference" is when there is no resistor built into the light kit and the result is a really fast blinking turn signal as if you have a burned out bulb. The built in resistor creates the proper resistance in the light circuit so that your turn signal blinks at the proper rate. If there is truly some other interference with other truck systems, I want to know about it as well because I've also been looking at some rear LED kits.
My personal favorite is linked here...
https://www.carid.com/2005-ford-f-25...659511411.html
My personal favorite is linked here...
https://www.carid.com/2005-ford-f-25...659511411.html
to correct this all you need to do is one of the following
1: install inline load resister
2: install LED compatible flasher
as for the PWM that may be a possibile issue on some trucks that are from roughly 2000 or later (I ran LEDs on my mustang on all lamps and had no issues and that was a 2004 mustang)
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,195
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From: Medford Oregon
On the OBS (94.5 - 97 year models) this was a problem. LED's without the resistor did cause the torque converter to unlock as if you were stepping on the brake peddle. PCM supplied a small voltage to the brake lights always and think with the resistance of the 3 brake lights it was around 3 volts. If one or more lights burnt our that voltage would go up to 5.0 volts causing the TC to unlock, thinking you hit the brakes. I don't have a clue why Ford made this design, On the OBS forum many have reported with key on and lights off the brake lights were on at visible (led) very dim,.
There was a technical bulletin on this issue but can't find it. In any case Ford probably fixed the issue on the 99 - 93
There was a technical bulletin on this issue but can't find it. In any case Ford probably fixed the issue on the 99 - 93