LED Tail Lights
#1717209
12/28/14 11:25 PM
12/28/14 11:25 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 952 Queens, N. Y.
FASTBACK340
OP
super stock
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OP
super stock
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 952
Queens, N. Y.
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After striking out trying to find LED tail lights for my `68 Barracuda I decided to do some research. After finding a few DIY-style videos and web pages explaining how to determine what resistors for which bulbs I assembled a tail light set of running/brake lights and also the reverse light. The tail lights are 68 LED's bundled in 17 groups of 4 bulbs with a resistor per bundle. Very inexpensive parts, about $50 total, but very labor-intensive assembling. I have about 3 hours in the completed left side circuit boards alone. But the results….. wow. Prototype boards were about $6 Red LED's $14 for 100 White LED's were about $2 per 10 Resistors are approx. $3 per 100 Diodes are about $4 per 100 Here's the site I used to calculate the needed resistors: LEDCALC.Com I bought enough prototype boards for 3 sets of tail lights. I bought about 200 Red LED's, 50 White LED's, then there's solder and a selection of resistors. The diodes are used to prevent back-feeding since the tail & brake inputs operate the same LED's, just that the tail lights voltage is dropped with a resistor. The video's and text explain and demonstrate it nicely. The reverse lights in the `68 Barracuda are a joke. All they do is illuminate for passing a state safety inspection. This upgrade changes that. A dozen white LED's mounted in a thin sheet of plastic that lights the entire lens, and throws about 10X the light. Full-tilt, such as the brake lights, they are incredibly BRIGHT. Considering how small the tail lights are I hope it helps.
`68 Barracuda 340-S
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Re: LED Tail Lights
[Re: MuuMuu101]
#1717213
12/29/14 03:43 AM
12/29/14 03:43 AM
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 197 Milwaukee, WI
moparjimbo
member
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member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 197
Milwaukee, WI
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Many places sell LED "bulbs" setups that just are a direct replacement for bulbs like 1156, 1157, 194, etc. My kid works at: http://www.taninautoelectronix.com/category-s/1817.htmSome of the reverse lights are indeed like a frikken spotlight!
Last edited by moparjimbo; 12/29/14 04:07 AM.
1996 Viper GTS - UGR Twin Turbo 1500RWHP, 9.02 @ 167 on pump gas and DOT tire 1973 Challenger - 572 Indy Hemi 860HP 1975 Trailduster Convertible, 440 1967 Plymouth Fury Police Pursuit 2DR 505 Stroker 2004 Neon SRT4 modded www.milwaukeemopar.com
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Re: LED Tail Lights
[Re: uneasyrider]
#1717220
12/29/14 01:14 PM
12/29/14 01:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,022 Tulsa OK
Bad340fish
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,022
Tulsa OK
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Very Cool! I have a 68 as well and that is something that really needs to be done for sure.
68 Barracuda Formula S 340
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Re: LED Tail Lights
[Re: jcc]
#1717222
12/29/14 04:14 PM
12/29/14 04:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck
Not enough dumb comments...yet
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Not enough dumb comments...yet
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
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Quote:
Quote:
HATE them...all of them. there is ZERO reason one would need to blind the person behind them w/ LEDs, now if you could subdue them, then carry on. Lots of hard work but after being behind some of these new cars w/ LEDs I have grown to hate them.
I can't say i have ever been annoyed by anyone's rear lights, wonder if I'm just lucky or lead a sheltered life.
Rush hour(s)... Try being behind a new Audi or whatever that new SUV was this morning.... 5 minutes behind him and I was seeing spots! I don't get me started w/ the ashhats that don't turn their high beams off or use thos 1,000,000 candle power "driving lights" It's not like we live out in the sticks here folks.
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Re: LED Tail Lights
[Re: Mr.Yuck]
#1717225
12/29/14 05:39 PM
12/29/14 05:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468 So Cal
autoxcuda
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 27,468
So Cal
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Quote:
HATE them...all of them. there is ZERO reason one would need to blind the person behind them w/ LEDs, now if you could subdue them, then carry on. Lots of hard work but after being behind some of these new cars w/ LEDs I have grown to hate them.
68 barracuda's have tiny brake lights. And the area is all in one square spot. Follow one of those in the dark some time.
The 67's took more area end to end. And the 69's filled the hole housing.
Not even close to the light area of a 69/70 charger.
I'd think 68 Barracuda's have about the smallest red taillight area of any 67-71 A/B/E body. Some of the early 60's cars had smaller taillights.
I think at some point DOT mandated taillight area and specs in the 60's.
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Re: LED Tail Lights
[Re: stumpy]
#1717226
12/29/14 07:48 PM
12/29/14 07:48 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562 Brookeville, Md
Mr.Yuck
Not enough dumb comments...yet
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Not enough dumb comments...yet
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 24,562
Brookeville, Md
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Quote:
If they are bothering you then you are seeing them which is their function.
no need to blind people. Never rear ended somebody because I couldn't see there tail lights. I do agree, our older cars needs some help form time to time. That's why I cleaned the snot out on my housings and repainted the "back splash" Chrome. It's amazing how much "funk can get into a "closed" unit.
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