1983 Classic Exterior LED Bulb Conversion.

[cole3444]

I am sure this has been discussed somewhere in the Forums but any help welcomed, has anyone found any good stop/tail/brake and backup LED bulbs that are a good replacement for the Classics (i.e. brightness, style etc.) that you used. I am in the process of replacing my running lights and side marker lights with new light units and LED bulbs and ordered two front grill turn signal lenses. Trying to get the exterior lights upgraded while it is parked then start on the interior electrical upgrades. Thanks for any help. Jim

[cole3444]

If anyone has changed over to LED tail/turn/brake lights on their motorhome or travel trailer I would like to know what you used.

[mayco]

I haven't done it yet Cole but intend to. Here is my understanding so far: the OEM conventional old flasher unit that plugs into your fuse block will need to be changed if you switch to LED bulbs. The old flasher units operate on resistance in order for the bulbs to flash. LEDs don't create enough resistance for the flasher unit to work so you need to change it out for an electronic flasher that doesn't use heat or resistance to work. I upgraded my flasher unit a couple years ago to the electronic type for about $20. I think it will work with the LEDs, if not I'll need to buy a compatible unit. I'm planning on just changing the bulbs to LEDs, nothing fancy. They are available through Amazon, NAPA, and many many more vendors.

[cole3444]

mayco, Thanks for the info, the flasher was my biggest concern for using LED, will get a new one before I convert to LED. I am also installing bulbs only nothing fancy just want to upgrade my lighting to LED over the winter months with some other minor changes to my Classic. Their are so many different types to choose from, don't want to buy insufficient cheap bulbs. Thanks Jim

[mayco]

I was looking at the "SuperbrightLED" web site, or something like that. They have been around for a long time I believe and have a good reputation. They have good info on their web site. I think they were asking $3.95 per bulb for the 1157 replacements. Sounds reasonable to me.

[cole3444]

mayco, Thanks will check them out.

[cole3444]

Checked with SuperbrightLED and they recommended 1157 LED Bulb - Dual Function 27 SMD LED Tower - BAY15D Bulb - Cool White 9.95 each and the 1156 27SMD and the 67 LED bulbs for the tag light. Has anyone tried this 27SMD and if so were they bright enough for our Classics. Don't want to order 80.00 + worth of bulbs and not be bright enough. To many choices out there for brightness.

[WayneG]

For outside LED's, other than the headlights & marker lights, I have only done the front turn signals and side parking lights.


Front turn signal bulbs:


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DNNDVFG
For the side turn signal/parking lamps, you may need to rewire the setup. The original side blinkers depended on resistance between the parking light bulb and the turn signal bulb to make them blink.
For the flasher, be sure to get a electronic one with a ground wire, or it wont work.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GIU9M0Y


One other note, since I converted my dash to LED's replacing the higher current dash bulbs, when the parking lights are on, I get a dim glow on the both turn signal indicators with the front turn signals using LEDs. This is also due to the way GM wired its chassis for turn signal, parking and brake lights to conserve wires and switch contacts.

[cole3444]

WayneG, Thanks for the info, little cheaper. This is why I come to this site to get great info on upgrades and to reduce tons of stress trying to figure out what is best.

[chiefair]

I used these from LED4rv.com: http://led4rv.com/catalog/index.php?...roducts_id=292

Not the cheapest option but nice clean installation retaining the original lenses.

[mayco]

Originally Posted by cole3444

Checked with SuperbrightLED and they recommended 1157 LED Bulb - Dual Function 27 SMD LED Tower - BAY15D Bulb - Cool White 9.95 each and the 1156 27SMD and the 67 LED bulbs for the tag light. Has anyone tried this 27SMD and if so were they bright enough for our Classics. Don't want to order 80.00 + worth of bulbs and not be bright enough. To many choices out there for brightness.

I went ahead and ordered those same bulbs Cole. Hopefully my flasher unit will work with them, it is electronic but doesn't have a ground wire attached. Got it from NAPA awhile ago. We shall see.

[cole3444]

Well I bought the Luyed 1157 900 lumens and the 1156 1700 lumens to see if they help anymore backing up along with the flasher with the ground from Amazon. Will see how they work. Thanks to all for the input.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by cole3444

Well I bought the Luyed 1157 900 lumens and the 1156 1700 lumens to see if they help anymore backing up along with the flasher with the ground from Amazon. Will see how they work. Thanks to all for the input.

Whatever you buy make sure the color of the bulb matches the lens color.

I use this in the B/U light.

Superbright or led4rv all I use...most everything else I've tried has been junk.

Bob
🇺🇸

[mayco]

Originally Posted by cole3444

Well I bought the Luyed 1157 900 lumens and the 1156 1700 lumens to see if they help anymore backing up along with the flasher with the ground from Amazon. Will see how they work. Thanks to all for the input.

A couple years ago I installed a pair of bumper mounted fog lamps for that very reason, backing up in the dark. Installed a simple toggle switch in the dash. They are awful nice to have especially during this time of year when it's dark so early. We do a good deal of winter camping and traveling and if we land at 4:30 or later it's already dark. They help a good deal backing into a campsite. I had replaced my front fog lamps already so I bought the same ones for the rear. Pretty cheap and easy to install.

[mayco]

Here they are Cole, found a picture. I don't think they look too intrusive on the bumper there.

[cole3444]

Had not thought about mounting a set of lights on the back, another item on the to do list this winter. They blend in well on the rear. Thanks mayco for the pic.

[Gregsch]

I replaced all my exterior bulbs with led bulbs. Just bought the cheap bulbs on ebay. It worked out fine accept for the bulbs that flash (turn signals). I just put the incandescent bulbs back in so I could go camping that weekend. That was 4 or 5 years ago, your post just reminded me that I did that. I saved 90% of the power consumption, it was inexpensive and I have brighter lights. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[mayco]

Installed my LEDs today and everything works as it should. Blinkers work fine with the electronic flasher unit.

[cole3444]

mayco, Sounds great mine will arrive Tuesday and I will get them installed after all my doctor visits and weather messes. Do you remember where you got your backup lights from.

[mayco]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Got them from Amazon Cole. I have them front and back and they've worked fine.