Here is a good example of why everything LED isn't always so great.

The directional light source combined with the fluted lens make for a lousy flood light.

Backing up in the rain was terrible.

These were Putco Plasma 360 3156 bulbs. They are certainly brighter and probably work better with a clear modern lens.

I hated the color anyway. Sometimes if it ain't broke don't fix it.

The same bulb in red 3157 works well as a tail / brake light though. But I'm not sure I actually like it better or not. It has a similar odd shadowed pattern on the ground but is brighter and theoretically safer, but I'm going to put those back to normal as well.

 

I installed eBay "2x AUXITO 3157 LED Reverse Light Bulbs Daytime Running Turn Signal Parking Lamps $14.99" bulbs in my reverse lights 2 years ago and they work fantastic. Much brighter that the stock 3157 bulbs. I didn't notice any 'shadowing' or weird patterns.

 

It just depends on what LEDs you buy. You don't want to *only* look at how bright they are, you also want to look at color temperature. Not all white LEDs use that "So White It's Almost Blue" color temp. There's some that even simulate that warmer temperature that incandescent bulbs give you. Also, check to see if there's any pictures of the light pattern when used in the vehicle you intend to use it on. And make sure the place/website you're buying from has a good return policy, too!

 

Tne so white it's blue color trend needs to go away. I despise it. Most stuff on the market is 6000k, which is nonsense. For most things including house and garage etc I won't buy it unless of is 4000k or less. Even modern flashlights are a nuisance.

It would be nice to see a light output pattern on every vehicle, but rarely see anything even in reviews about older vehicles.

I've experimented with tons of LEDs on multiple types of cars and trucks, mostly friends vehicles, and have been less than impressed with 75% of them. The ones I have been most impressed with were things like warm white dome lights and colored peanut bulbs for gauges.

I use warm white whenever I can find it. The miniature bulbs for dome lights etc are available in warm white. Most brighter primary bulbs are not and many are actually not as bright as incandescent.

I do try to avoid the cheap stuff but for many of these I'm not sure its not just a different name on the box.

These Putco ones are typically very expensive., but I got a good deal on them which is the only reason I tried them on my truck.

I think the biggest problem with LED is that they are directional.

I've even seen new factory stuff like cargo lights that shine too far behind the truck and not actually into or to the sides of the bed.

I won't even get started on the LED PnP headlight garbage. I refuse to use any of that in head or Hella fog lights.

In all honesty I actually kinda hate LEDs. There are just few other options to make things brighter. And it would be nice to have bright tail brake and marker lights to compete with modern traffic.

Sometiimes I think about getting rid of all the LED stuff I've tried and decided to keep using. I would prefer to have everything the way it was 20 years ago before the LED lighting craze.

There used to be a few companies that made halogen 1156 3156 etc reverse bulbs. Been thinking about trying those but doubt they're made these days.

 

My friend had the same problem with Auxbeam bulbs.

Are those warm white or the same harsh cold color?

Do you still have OEM Ford tail lights or some other brand of replacement's?

 

You could not talk me into installing any LEDs ever on an old vehicle that needs feedback from the lamp circuits
69 Camaro is no problem using LEDs
If you have a TR sensor or just about any other monitoring system you will have trouble you do not need all related to the LEDs bulbs
I agree they look cool and the minimal voltage used is a bonus
I feel the grief is not worth the hassle using LEDs, and I use incandescent bulbs where the spec calls for them
The cruise wants to see those light bulbs on and the resistance is how the processor knows
The trans the same way, wants to know when you are on the brake.
Your processor can't tell either of those with LEDs

 

That's another valid point or reason not to use LEDs. Resistors usually take care of the torque converter lock up and cruise issues. But I'm inclined to agree with you.

I actually hate the look of anything LED on classic cars. Well at least things you can tell are LED anyway.

 

I would call it a pure white. Or paper white. It's not blue and it's not incandescent white. I have the stock taillight housings.