I replaced the front & rear indicator bulbs for LEDs a few months back and really like them. I have been thinking about getting some for the brake lights, too, but I would need a 'double filament' version, since the outer rear tail light (low output) and rear stop bulb (high output) are one and the same.

I had a good hunt around eBay, etc. but couldn't find any. Does anyone know where I can find what I'm after?

 

Hi Frog.

I purchased LED bulbs for headlight's turn signal and running light application from the below link:
2003 Jaguar XK-Type LED Lights – CARiD.com
Hope you find it useful ...That automobile of yours is already a legend btw .
Best,
Danny.

 

Try these, they are fantastic in the turn signals on my xj. 2X Canbus Error Free 25W CREE LED Car Reverse Turn Signal Brake Stop Light Bulb | eBay

 

Yes, they're similar to the ones I have in my turn signals, but for the stop lights I need the equivalent of a twin filament LED, i.e. low power on all the time (tail light) and then high power when I brake.

 

When you use LEDs for stop and tail you need what they call "dual intensity" basically they glow to a certain brightness as a tail light and then brighter for the brake.

You need to make sure you get the can bus fault cancelling type..... I use these people SUPERBRIGHT LEDS a US based company

 

Yes, dual intensity is what I'm looking for. Thanks, Tony

 

Frog, the 1157 is a dual intensity bulb, it works just as the double filament bulb does, I have them in my xk8 (just not this particular style) Did you ever see my thread here?

 

As I get older I find I get crankier with crazes and trends that seem to make no real sense. Black matte paint is one such craze as are the LED tail lights I see on some cars (along with the pixie lights in the front, of course).

What are the benefits of the LED tail lights? In terms of a purely practical and "safety" oriented answer I understand they illuminate a nanosecond quicker than standard bulbs. I have yet to have a close call because I did not see the "standard" brake lights in front of me come on a nanosecond too late. In terms of appearance these tend up looking dreadful in my opinion. They typically look like a bunch of tiny points of bright light rather than a nice uniformly lit panel. Given that they are much more expensive than ordinary bulbs, is there something I am missing why LED's are desirable?

Doug

 

I think you already nailed it - the gimmick de jour. Some may argue that LED bulbs will last far longer. That may be, but at this point in the technology I'm not sure that the added bulb life comes anywhere close to justifying the cost....

Some guys are attracted by the "look-at-me-too" factor. Like you, I'm just too old for that crap....

 

It's nice to meet a kindred spirit. I am just so tired of those crazes that get started primarily because they are "something different". Once everyone jumps on the bandwagon they are not so different.

Doug

 

Better get use to it, filament bulbs are "old hat" a bit like yourselves

But joking aside, yes they last longer and draw next to no amps which saves money in the manufacturing side of things...

And it is not just in the automotive market it is happening every where

 

I like LEDs because of the clean, crisp (OCD..?) way they switch on and off. I hate indicators on cars from the 60s & 70s that you can almost see fading in and out as if the wiring is so corroded and manky it won't let the electrons flow quickly enough.

 

c'mon, Its not like we're installing neon or doing night rider led bars. I suppose those of you who think the halo around the bmw headlights are gimmicky too? What about the LED drls that's in practically every new car? I personally like freshening up my 13 yr old xk8 in subtle ways...LEDs are one of them. I'm also installing leds in the steering wheel controls...standard on my xj8, but our cars are void of the backlighting. Is that just a trendy thing too? I don't usually let posts like yours (Doug and Jon) get me so flustered. Maybe i'm taking it personal that you practically called me out as a 'look at me' guy. That disappoints me. I probably won't be offering either of you any more aid or information anymore.

Here's another example...those drivers who mess with the exhaust to make it louder...are those members 'listen to me' types?

 

I would be interested for the rear brake lights, and I'll have to disagree with Doug, giving just a nanosecond advantage is somewhat exaggerated.

Leds are much quicker to reach full brightness, which could trigger someone behind you also quicker. Assuming a 0.2 second quicker reaction would mean already a distance of 7 meter at 130k/h gained, so worth for me to get Led lights.

Unfortunately the 1st leds from a couple of years back where just not bright enough, and I hope these newer cree ones will be brighter, so will give it a try.

 

Well, going on XKRacer's advice (thanks, Tony), I ordered two of these from here .


I must admit that I'm not a great fan of the 'half-finished circuit board' look, so I'm hoping they won't be too visible through the red lens when off.

As for personal opinions, don't let them get to you. Each to his/her own and all that. I enjoy playing and experimenting with my cars; if these bulbs look even the slightest bit cheap and nasty then they'll be going straight on eBay, lol

 

You barely notice them, I have a similar type in my reversing lights and they are superb, it is almost like having headlights at the rear, brilliant for night time parking as where I live we have no street lights

The new type SMDs do look like that but they are Super Bright

 

LED reversing lights..? That's next month's 'pointless but strangely satisfying' tweak lined up then

 

Matt,

Don't get your panties in a wad. Doug asked a question. I replied with my version of the answer. Everyone has a different version, and everyone is entitled to state it. No one has to agree with anyone else. If you want to load your car up with LEDs, by all means go ahead. It's your car and your money....

 

@Frog, XKRacer,

Why not go for the Cree led's? These seem from what I can find the most powerfull leds.

 

Avos, when I compared the new Cree bulbs with a filament bulb in the turn signals, it was actually brighter than the filament (tested side by side). I too found most of the earlier gen bulbs even comparing in lumen output. Leaps and bounds better these days, and no resistor additions either..that's progress.