LED brake light mod.

[2002Targa]

Greetings,

this is how I did my LED brake lights. I think it's a big improvement over the standard bulbs and these things have a life of about a bazillion years.

First off, desolder the white/blue backup light wire (center socket) and cap the end off so it doesn't short (I don't use the back up light anyway)

Next make a small jumper wire and solder the jumper from the green brake light wire to the backup light prong. (don't know the colors for the roundies, sorry) but the process would be the same.

Now, the brake wire is powering both the backup socket and the brake socket.

Install the new high power LED bulbs.

[Brandon]

The LED upgrade seems like a beneficial upgrade. Do you really need to modify the reverse light to become a brake light though? I would think the LED alone in the dedicated brake light socket would be better than the incadencent bulb it's replacing, making for a vast improvement. I'm guessing this doesn't apply to your state, but here in Massachusetts you need the reverse lights to work in order to pass the yearly safety inspection.

[slash02]

(nt)

[jgerry2002]

Why would you disable the backup lights?

Do you never put the car in reverse?

[wohleb]

What are you using for the LED bulb? All I've been able to find are the little pin lights and they're really no help.

I considered putting the supplimental brake light in the rear window but I just can't bring myself to doing that yet.

This would be much nicer.

[BigDog]

It's easy, un-obtrusive, and works good! You know the way people drive around these parts, I wouldn't be without one...

Order a 3rd light LED stip from JC Whitney or similar. They're very slim you won't even see them unless they're on. Mount at top of window with double stick tape (3M). Then drive safer!

They're tiny, like the size of three #2 pencils strapped together.

-----------

BigDog

'76 2002

[Alpine003]

I've been working with LED's in previous projects and have a couple suggestions for those wanting to do the mod.

1. Do not get the cheap premade bulb socket lights. Most of them are crap when it comes to actual light transfer. There are a couple good ones which are generally more expensive but have the better light output.

2. LED's have a very narrow light dispersion pattern compared to incadescent so if you make your own, it is best to have the led's lined up at different angles to give the most diffused effect.

3. It's best to get the 10,000 + MCD rated led's but you also will need the correct resistance values on the resistor to get that output. Only minor downside could be that the LED's might not last as long but we're talking years and not months.

4. Lastly, it's great not having to worry about your "bulb failure" light coming on from your OBC since this is an old car.