Anyone here install the LED retro-fit bulbs in their Slick tail lights?

If so, are you happy with them?
Did you have to modify any wiring, sockets, fuses, etc. to accommodate them?

Please share your findings..... Thanks!

BarnieTrk

 

Here’s a past thread to peruse, there are quite a few others as well.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...-blinkers.html

 

Thanks for the reply and the link, IBuzzard. Just what I was looking for!

BarnieTrk

 

Barnie:
Probably covered in the link you have above, but I have LED's installed in all locations. I'm happy with the tail lights, parking lights. backup lights and turn indicator lights. The dash lights are good, however, the green turn indicator light on the dash is almost too bright.....fine for daytime but really bright at night. Be aware that you have to switch to an electronic flasher for your turn signal bulbs. Everything is direct plug-in, no modifications to the wiring. I got mine from "SuperBrightLeds.com", however there are multiple sources.

 

Thanks for the additional reply, Resonateur!

I don't really have a desire to change out the dash lights nor mess with installing inline relays in order to use LEDs in the headlights, but still good info to know. I do like the idea of having brighter rear lights, as long as I don't have to mess with the present wiring harness/sockets. As far as changing out the flasher unit, that doesn't appear to be a big deal and do-able.

I would really like to add some backup lights, but I don't think I want to change out the '65 tail lights for newer model ('67+) units that contain the back up lights....but maybe I will, since my tail gate is not a '65 but newer model tail gate, and i haven't really seen a better alternative for backup lights. I used to have a period-correct topper on my '65 F100 that I had installed white lights at the rear top corners and operated via a dash toggle switch and a second switch just inside the topper hatch so I could turn them on as a work light. But my '65 F250 is my primary trailering / hauling truck now and I miss the back up /rear work lights.

BarnieTrk

 

I added LED to my rear brake/turn and front turn. Also did the flasher unit. The rears went from "are they on??" to wow, you do have tail lights. Same for the brake light. Well worth the minimal effort! I got my stuff from Amazon, about $30 or so for everything. If you want links I can add them latter.

For your B/U lights, you could always go with some LED pod/driving lights or even a single and just run the toggle switch like you did before Might mount them under the bumper or maybe, depending on the style, flush/surface mount to your tail gate with a stick on light..

Tom

 

Thanks for the additional thoughts/reply, Tom!

The comments you received are the responses I'm looking for. I want my rear lights to be seen better than they currently are. If you have them handy, I'd be happy to review the links you used for the lights and the electronic blinker.

I like the idea of mounting a pair of white backup lights under my rear bumper.... like some LED lights each maybe 1" tall x 8" wide. I'd probably try to also install some sort of tin shield at the back side of the light to protect them from road debris/gravel hitting the back of the lights. They wouldn't do well to dual function as a work / tail gate light, but that may not be as big a deal for me as it used to be.

BarnieTrk

 

I did swap out the dash lights for LED's and also found the high beam light too bright.
To fix that my son put a piece of scotch tape over the opening so the light was knocked down a little and is just right now.
I like the turn lights bright but I think they are part behind the rim of the steering wheel and that helps hide the bright.

Now for the head lights you want to run the relays to make them brighter and to take the load off the old head light switch.
You can find kits on LCM Ebay and think Amazon. They are plug and play. No cutting of the trucks wiring.
Unplug the plugs from the head lights and plug in the relay plugs.
1 of the head light plugs needs to plug into the relay as that is what triggers the relays. The other plug is left out.
The fused power to the battery and there is a ground and you are done.
If something should happen to a relay just unplug the relays from the lights and plug the trucks plugs back in till you can get the relays fixed.
I washed the engine bay and a relay filled up with water
Head light relay was the best thing I did besides the LED dash lights.

Tail lights I am still using the old school bulbs in the flare side lights.
Now what you want to do it paint the inside of the light housing white not silver.
From the factory Ford painted the inside of the flare side light housings white and from tests white will throw out more light than any other color they tested and yes even silver.
So my housings are painted white and I an happy with the light out put.

But 1 little flare side lights I felt was not enough with the the dopes on the road and I use my truck at night a lot.
Yes I could have added one of the under the gate light strip that changes colors when the turn signal is on but it just did not go good with the rear of the truck.
My fix was reflective letters on the tail gate. You have them BIG F O R D letters and they should be painted so I got reflective white, tail gate is red.
It looks good during the day and shows up great at night.



It was not that dark out yet when I took the picture but used flash IIRC on the phone.
Dave ----

ps yes I know the hooks are not right in the picture

 

Oh just a thought on the back up lights.
If you are in the building stage or looking to change the look a little and dont want the lights below the bumper or "stuck on" some where maybe put them in the rear bumper?
I wanted driving / fog lights up front but did not want them above or below the bumper so I found a set that would fit in the bumper and that is where I placed them.
No no one makes a 80 - 86 front bumper with lights in them I looked.

I also removed the bumper bolts on the front & rear bumpers.
No one would chrome wrap them so I painted them Argent Silver with a clear over the top.
Dave ----

 

FuzzFace2,
GOOD LOOKING Truck! Thanks for even more good information too.

I also do not think the 'under-the-tailgate-light-strip' would look good to me on my '65.

I really like the idea on the reflective tail gate letters as you did to your truck. Did you have to cut them out of reflective material or buy them die-cut and ready to mount on the Tgate?

BarnieTrk

 

Here are the links for what I used. Supperbrights is a very reputable company if you prefer to use them instead of the rain forest site.

My tail lenses were obviously red. My front turns on my '62 were clear with yellow/amber painted bulbs. Front turns IIRR are 1157. Make sure of YOUR bulb!!!

Tail:

1157 or 1156 turn:

Flasher:

Note: The flasher does not CLICK, it IS silent. If this bothers you, you could add a buzzer of some sort or find a LED compatible that does click.

Hope this helps,
Tom

 

Thanks on the truck

On the letters I was able to find them on Ebay.
I cant remember if I looked it up as reflective or if I found someone that made them for my trucks tail gate and asked if they could make them as it has been years since I bought and installed them.
I also figured if I could get normal ones I could have a local place use them as a pattern to make the reflective ones.

To install them put soapy in a spray bottle and coat the area the letters / decals will be placed.
The soapy water lets the letters / decals move around to get them just right on the tail gate letters.
Then use a rubber squeegee to get the soapy water out from under the letters / decal making sure they dont move.
Then let them sit 2 3 days, I put it in the sun, before you use water on them.
Been on the gate many years and many more washes now.
Dave ----

 

Thanks for the tailgate letters info and install tips, Dave.

After looking at my '65 (with a newer style '67 FORD font tailgate) I am now undecided as my letters are kinda small compared to yours. I may just add a strip of DOT-C2 ReflectiveConspicuity Tape along the bottom of the bumper instead of the reflective letters.

BarnieTrk

 

I have a question about LED bulbs. Say I only want to swap my taillight bulbs to LED and not the front parking lights or the dash indicator lights. When I swap out the rear bulbs and swap in the LED specific flasher, what effect will running an LED flasher have on my non-LED incandescent bulbs?

Similarly, what if any impact might there be to my trailer lights which I don’t plan to swap out for LEDs.

In other words, I know that LED bulbs will not flash without the proper LED flasher, but what will running an LED flasher do to my non-LED bulbs?

thanks!

 

IIRR when I did just the tail, the stock flasher worked, don't remember for sure. When I did the fronts a day latter, new flasher needed. AFAIK, a trailer "should" not be an issue. The LED flasher is designed for the low draw of LED lights, so the higher draw of regular bulbs should, again, not be an issue.

If your worried about flash rate, there are adjustable flashers for LED lights.

FWIW: Do the tails and the front turns, well worth the few bucks for how bright they are. Don't forget the flasher. Read my list of items.

Hope this helps,
Tom