The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1947 - 1959 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 09-19-2021, 11:44 AM   #1
mrbuck
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: nor cal
Posts: 177
Led brake lights?

I’m looking for led lights that I can French into the rear stake pockets of my 55.2, does anyone have any ideas. My first thought was some 90’s Cadillac lights, but the curve of them doesn’t quite fit the stake pockets right. Pictures , suggestions
mrbuck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2021, 12:42 PM   #2
Florida5100
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 11
Re: Led brake lights?

Do you think complete LED lights would be better than a "normal" light with an LED bulb?

I'm thinking you can buy a few extra LED bulbs, but if you purchase a complete LED light and it (or some of the LEDs) fail you need to hope they still make that housing.
Florida5100 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2021, 01:26 PM   #3
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,245
Re: Led brake lights?

I've got some LED strip lights like these for a trailer I am building. I got them because I wanted to have bright stop/turn lights that I could put in the channel iron frame of the trailer where they would be somewhat protected.
https://www.amazon.com/2pc-LED-Trail...41121671&psc=1

The only things I am going to ask or say is that =

Will you still think that what ever light you french in the posts still look good five years from now or will they look like out of date mods?

If you are one who doesn't tend to keep his rigs long after he finishes them will they help resale or be something that is a turn off for potential buyers. For resale usually keeping it simple helps it sell better.

Will the mod be a contributing component of the total look of the truck and blend in with all other mods or will it stick out and demand extra attention from the rest or the truck before your eye sees the whole truck as a unit. Lights at least the wrong lights for the build can have that stuck on as and afterthought real quick. Remember all of those poor 53/56 F100 trucks that used to run around with 65 Mustang tail lights stuck in the rear fenders.
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2021, 02:25 PM   #4
Warrens69GMC
Registered User
 
Warrens69GMC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Safford,AZ
Posts: 3,613
Re: Led brake lights?

https://www.amazon.com/FABOOD-Waterp...a-886165435094
Attached Images
 
Warrens69GMC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2021, 05:10 PM   #5
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,245
Re: Led brake lights?

I those are the same exact ones that I bought for my trailer. I haven't got the trailer done yet though.
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2021, 07:33 PM   #6
mrbuck
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: nor cal
Posts: 177
Re: Led brake lights?

I was looking at something similar to those but with chrome backing plate. But after reading mr48 post I’m seriously reconsidering. I usually like the KISS approach to things, so why change now? I just want more;ought than the original style offer. Maybe I’ll add bedrail hole lights.
mrbuck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-19-2021, 07:39 PM   #7
mrbuck
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: nor cal
Posts: 177
Re: Led brake lights?

https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjkxWDY2NA==/z/0JcAAOSwbM5a4hNJ/$_1.JPG?set_id=8800005007
mrbuck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2021, 01:18 AM   #8
Stepside Jim
Registered User
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Salem Mo
Posts: 644
Re: Led brake lights?

I'm not sure if you're looking for the whole tail light or just a brake light. I do know my Dad did not like the original location of the tail lights so I moved them up the bed.

A couple pics and how I did is on the first page of my build thread.
__________________
My 57 Chevy truck build.http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=541132
Stepside Jim is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-23-2021, 09:38 PM   #9
duramax55
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Aubigny
Posts: 204
Re: Led brake lights?

googel trux light they have nice lights or just go to a peterbuilt or Kenworth dealer they might have them
duramax55 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2021, 09:13 PM   #10
mrbuck
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: nor cal
Posts: 177
Re: Led brake lights?

Nice work Jim ����
mrbuck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2021, 09:35 AM   #11
my56chevytruck
Registered User
 
my56chevytruck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Hebron
Posts: 1,117
Re: Led brake lights?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mrbuck View Post
I’m looking for led lights that I can French into the rear stake pockets of my 55.2, does anyone have any ideas. My first thought was some 90’s Cadillac lights, but the curve of them doesn’t quite fit the stake pockets right. Pictures , suggestions
I didn't french these lights in but mounted against the post on my 55.2. These are called "catseyes". And they are very bright. Anything more I can do, PM me.
Attached Images
 
__________________
RUBBER DOWN AND HIT THE ROAD!!!
1940 Ford Dlx Coupe
1969 Mach1
my56chevytruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-26-2021, 09:17 AM   #12
mrbuck
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: nor cal
Posts: 177
Re: Led brake lights?

THose look sweet!!! thats what i was thinking, only the ones i found were to wide to fit the stake pocket.
mrbuck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-27-2021, 11:30 AM   #13
MARTINSR
Registered User
 
MARTINSR's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 5,989
Re: Led brake lights?

I did tests with my Rambler with the LED bulb in the tail lights, they SUCKED. I ended up making reflectors out of some late model tail light reflectors I pulled out of a 2010ish Honda or something like that. That made a HUGE difference.

On the whole LED tail light thing, you maybe don't know but on a late model car with LED tail lights when your light "burns out" you OFTEN have to replace the WHOLE tail light assy! NO KIDDING! You just can't swap out a "bulb" like in the the old days, you have to replace the WHOLE light assy. Now, did one a while ago on a 2015ish Chevy Suburban (As I remember it was, or GMC) and the light was $750! Yep, then right after we got it changed a cop pulled her over because the other side was out! We changed that one too. So where you would change an 1157 light bulb for two dollars on your 68 Camaro on this Suburban it cost her about $1600 with labor.

Brian
__________________
1948 Chevy pickup
Chopped, Sectioned, 1953 Corvette 235 powered. Once was even 401 Buick mid engined with the carburetor right between the seats!
Bought with paper route money in 1973 when I was 15.

"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"
MARTINSR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-12-2021, 11:43 PM   #14
mobileortho
Registered User
 
mobileortho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Hampton, VA
Posts: 869
Re: Led brake lights?

Working these into my roll pan.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Robert C.

1950 3600
3600 re-do, shortening it up

If it's true what they say, "You learn from your mistakes,"
I'm a Genius in the making.

Last edited by Rickysnickers; 10-13-2021 at 10:04 AM.
mobileortho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2021, 12:19 AM   #15
dsraven
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: calgary alberta
Posts: 7,773
Re: Led brake lights?

i know, I know. buzz kill.
you should check with local authorities because if you change from a stock light you may need to also add a side marker,
sorry, just sayin. some areas are stricter than others.
some lights offer a lens that "sticks out" past the housing so it works as a side marker. there are also those little led button lights that can add some flavor to the truck while being small, cheap and easily placed or removed as the build moves along. they come in various colors with clear or colored lens

https://www.amazon.ca/Maxxima-M09300...060889293&th=1
dsraven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2021, 12:50 PM   #16
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,245
Re: Led brake lights?

Quote:
Originally Posted by my56chevytruck View Post
I didn't french these lights in but mounted against the post on my 55.2. These are called "catseyes". And they are very bright. Anything more I can do, PM me.
Those look like they should have been there to begin with. Someone not familiar with these trucks might not even spot it as being changed.

Plus they don't look stuck on as an afterthought. Well done.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2021, 02:52 PM   #17
dsraven
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: calgary alberta
Posts: 7,773
Re: Led brake lights?

those look really good on there.
another thing to consider when placing lights is their actual reason for being there. to let others know we are on the road ahead and also to let them know when our brakes are applied or we plan to make a turn. I have seen some trucks where the owner just thought there needed to be lights because the law said so. their version of lights were placed in such a way that lights were present but really someone following behind could only see one of them at a time unless following directly behind and a distance back. some are so low to the ground that they are more like underglow than they are tail lights. all I am saying is to be aware of what you are doing when choosing a location for the lights. they are there for the safety of others AND OURSELVES. with people multitasking etc while driving there is more need to have lights that are in someones face when we apply brakes, signals etc. I was just chatting with a friend who said his wife, who was rear ended through no fault of her own, has had 86 physio treatments so far and not done yet. she lives with pain every day. lets not be that person.
I like the LED lights nowadays. they are way brighter than the old bulbs were. I am using a round trailer LED light with the back up light integral in the center. mounted inside a modified chrome motorcycle driving light housing. I have a high mounted third brake light above the rear window, where people who don't know cars expect it to be.

ok, end of rant. carry on. cuss me out if you want o. haha.
dsraven is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2021, 04:49 PM   #18
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,245
Re: Led brake lights?

I've got custom car buddies who tend to want to do exactly what Dsraven was fussing about. put tiny lenses in spots you don't expect to see brake lights that are often real close together (in bumper guards) in the name of having a smooth custom look and the end product is a set of lights that are too low and that someone following you may not be looking for or may be too close to see. The taillights on my 48 are flush fit below the tailgate and I got fussed at a number of times because they didn't show up well. Including a couple of cops who said they weren't bright enough.
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-13-2021, 06:02 PM   #19
vintovka
Registered User
 
vintovka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Hunkered Down
Posts: 1,771
Re: Led brake lights?

Quote:
Originally Posted by my56chevytruck View Post
I didn't french these lights in but mounted against the post on my 55.2. These are called "catseyes". And they are very bright. Anything more I can do, PM me.
Very nice!!!!
vintovka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2021, 06:40 PM   #20
G&R's57GMC
Senior Member
 
G&R's57GMC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Shasta Lake, CA.
Posts: 1,619
Re: Led brake lights?

I just came across these LED tail / stop lights today .
They kind of look like Caddy Tail Lights .

They are 18" long 1.5" wide at the widest point and 3/4" tall .

They also have snap in covers at each end to hide the attaching screws .

The only rub is one would have to do a hidden latch for the tailgate and a counter sunk bolt at the bottom of the stake pocket because the stock chain and hasp set up would be in the way as is the bolt .
Attached Images
  
__________________
Glen & Jane's Rides
‘57 GMC NAPCO Long Bed V8 4 speed Bought 2008
7 other cars & trucks , 5 trailers
'56 Chevy Long Bed I6, 4 speed Bought 1990 Sold 8.22.2020
’56 GMC Suburban Pickup V8, 4 speed Hydramatic Bought 1996 Sold 10.11.2020
My Other Tinkerings http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post8967275
G&R's57GMC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2021, 09:19 AM   #21
my56chevytruck
Registered User
 
my56chevytruck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Hebron
Posts: 1,117
Re: Led brake lights?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mr48chev View Post
Those look like they should have been there to begin with. Someone not familiar with these trucks might not even spot it as being changed.

Plus they don't look stuck on as an afterthought. Well done.
thanks. I had seen them years ago and surprisingly the idea stuck with me when I bought the truck.
__________________
RUBBER DOWN AND HIT THE ROAD!!!
1940 Ford Dlx Coupe
1969 Mach1
my56chevytruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-19-2021, 06:02 PM   #22
mr48chev
Registered User
 
mr48chev's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Toppenish, WA
Posts: 15,245
Re: Led brake lights?

Those lights are the kind of thing that make folks do double takes when they walk around the truck. They look so right that you might miss them at first glance until your brain says "wait a minute" and you stop and check them out.
__________________
Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club.

My ongoing truck projects:
48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six.
71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant.
77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.
mr48chev is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2021, 10:09 AM   #23
my56chevytruck
Registered User
 
my56chevytruck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Hebron
Posts: 1,117
Re: Led brake lights?

Quote:
Originally Posted by mr48chev View Post
Those lights are the kind of thing that make folks do double takes when they walk around the truck. They look so right that you might miss them at first glance until your brain says "wait a minute" and you stop and check them out.
thank you!
__________________
RUBBER DOWN AND HIT THE ROAD!!!
1940 Ford Dlx Coupe
1969 Mach1
my56chevytruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2021, 10:24 AM   #24
vintovka
Registered User
 
vintovka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Hunkered Down
Posts: 1,771
Re: Led brake lights?

You really need bright lights nowadays especially in traffic. I have observed many who are either inattentive, texting or flat out high/drunk lately. One nearly nailed me texting someone about this old truck in front of them!! They admitted it when i cornered them at the store immediately after.

Might want to consider another one (or two) below the tailgate if not too gaudy. Beats the heck out of being rear ended!!

I'd paste a pic but still a "techtard" see #101 on my thread below.
vintovka is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-23-2021, 06:52 PM   #25
gottattooz
Registered User
 
gottattooz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Hampton, Ga
Posts: 856
Re: Led brake lights?

I just put these on my dad's 1959 step side. They're 12 inch led strips with clear lenses. They aren't frenched, but the chrome housings reflect the paint color pretty nicely and help them blend in.

-Josh
Attached Images
     
__________________
1967 Buick Special wagon
1968 Jeep Wagoneer
1958 Chevy Panel Truck
2017 Suzuki M109R
gottattooz is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:52 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com