LED Conversion
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
LED Conversion
So as I'm restoring this truck I decided while I'm putting in the brand new AAW harness, I may as well go to LED lights. I went to superbrightled.com and went through and ordered my LED's. Seemed easy enough. Got them in 2 days. cost about $108 for everything, but my cargo light( cause I forgot about it) and headlights. Not terrible, I guess. I should mention I am putting in a Dakota Digital dash so there are no bulbs needed for the gauges, at least not for me. Seemed really easy, but I had my doubts for LED lights for a few spots because of the size of the bulb. The bulb for the headlight/wiper switch and the ashtray mainly. The LED bulb is to large to fit into the tube, so my doubts were confirmed. I couldn't get the glove box light to work either.... but it was late, and I was tired. I'll take another crack at that one, I can probably get that one going. The one in the temperature controls was easy, and it's like the replacement bulbs for the guages if you have stock ones. Not too bad overall, but I'm disappointed I cant put LED's on those other two. Guess I'll get some new incandescent for those.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
From what I've read, it's an either/or thing. If I get the LED flasher, then I don't need resistors. But, when I bought the LED's none of the flashers that were offered at superbrightled.com would fit, because they are square and the aftermarket fusebox that I have has recessed round flasher sockets. I have seen summit and a few other places with the proper flasher, but I bought 1 pack of resistors because I thought I had read that if you had a resistor or one incandescent per side it would work. I'm just trying to confirm that.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 118
...easier just to change to an electronic flasher. Just mount it, but not in the round clip. There are LED bulbs with the same base that you need, but smaller elements. Just measure the incandescent and look at the size specs of the led. You should be able to find one to fit. For things like the headlight and wiper switch indicators, you can use an led with a clear acrylic element, sand and polish the end of that to get the angle that you want the light to emit.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 856
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From: Oxnard
TXTrailerdaddy,
I haven't had luck getting a combination of all LED turn signal bulbs with an electronic flasher to work in my 77 F-150, so I went back to all incandescent front and rear 1157 turn signal bulbs. With all LED turn signal bulbs installed and with either the electronic or original turn signal flasher, my turn signals would not flash. With just one LED and incandescent installed either front or back turn signal and either electronic or original flasher installed, my turn signals flashed too rapid. I gave hope and went back to all original 1157 incandescent turn signal bulbs.
I do have LED bulbs installed in the instrument cluster, dome and under dash courtesy lights, and like them.
I haven't had luck getting a combination of all LED turn signal bulbs with an electronic flasher to work in my 77 F-150, so I went back to all incandescent front and rear 1157 turn signal bulbs. With all LED turn signal bulbs installed and with either the electronic or original turn signal flasher, my turn signals would not flash. With just one LED and incandescent installed either front or back turn signal and either electronic or original flasher installed, my turn signals flashed too rapid. I gave hope and went back to all original 1157 incandescent turn signal bulbs.
I do have LED bulbs installed in the instrument cluster, dome and under dash courtesy lights, and like them.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 285
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From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Ok... I figured it out. If there is one incandescent per side, it will work. But, since I want all LED I put one resistor on the front turn signal wires and they work like a charm.
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More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2018
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From: Oregon
What is the value and wattage of the resistor, for future reference?
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Hey Niko, I just bought an LED resistor kit from superbrightled.com. You get 2 resistors for $5. If by value you are asking why I use it, without it the LED bulb will either not come on, or not flash. The resistance creates the heat necessary in the flasher to trigger the relay so you get it to flash. The electronic flashers don't need that so they work whether or not you have LED or incandescent. Problem is those cost $10-$22 a piece and you have 2 of them. 1 for turn signal 1 for hazards. So $5 for resistors is cheap compared to $20 - $45.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 2,240
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Originally Posted by TXTrailerdaddy
Hey Niko, I just bought an LED resistor kit from superbrightled.com. You get 2 resistors for $5. If by value you are asking why I use it, without it the LED bulb will either not come on, or not flash. The resistance creates the heat necessary in the flasher to trigger the relay so you get it to flash. The electronic flashers don't need that so they work whether or not you have LED or incandescent. Problem is those cost $10-$22 a piece and you have 2 of them. 1 for turn signal 1 for hazards. So $5 for resistors is cheap compared to $20 - $45.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 218
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From: Conway Springs, KS
I was talking about those vampire clips today with my buddy. How can you make them waterproof? Or do I even need to worry about that? For under hood installs I would like waterproof I think, but maybe not an issue?