1156-57 BRITE bulbs..I'm in the Austin area, mail-order would be fine..where do I find the bulbs, the ones that are three times brighter, but are the same stick in and twist...Thanks...Rick
You can use 2057 bulbs which are alittle brighter and available right at your local parts store. Direct subs***ute for the 1157.
They have a good selection of the LED 1157s: http://store.streetbeatcustoms.com/jam-strait-lighting-1157-wedge-bulbs-economy.html
My experience with LEDs is that unless you have lenses that are made to use LEDs the light coming from the lens will actually be less than with standard bulbs, however there are LED bulbs made to work with standard lenses that have some of the LEDs facing the reflector. I cannot remember the name of the company and have not actually seen the bulbs in person. I found out these trying to find a brighter bulb for my motorcycle, I cant remember if I read about it online or in a motorcyle mag. I tried using the LEDs that you can buy at most auto parts stores in my motorcycle and in my suburban and the result was that instead of lighting up the whole lens it only lighted up the area directly in front of the bulb because all of the LEDs face the lens and none face the reflector.
yep. LED's are directional. You get about 15-20 degrees off center and you loose a lot of the brightness. Scares me when i see LED 39 taillights frenched in to a chainermobile.......ahhh maybe not
To get the brightest taillamp without buying bulbs that can't be replaced "on the road" try this. 1. Paint the inside of the taillamp ***embly gloss white. Of course, mask off the socket. 2. Scrub your lenses, inside and out, with a good non-abrasive detergent and a toothbrush, especially inside where all the facets are. Use a proper gasket when reinstalling lens in housing to prevent dirt, dust from coating the inside of the lens again. 3. Use a 2357 bulb in place of 1157. These are the same candlepower on the Tail filament but much brighter on the Stop/Turn filament. 4. Go to your local auto parts store and ask to see the Phillips or GE Lighting catalog (yes, they still print catalogs, but not very often). Find the section which lists the bayonet bulbs like the 1156 and see which number is higher candlepower. If the store stocks them, you won't have any trouble getting them on the road. I've done this for years on all my old cars, and alway got asked "how did you get those lights to be so bright?". We did the job on my son's 57 Chevy and WOW, did those guys want to know then. I know it's a simple simon procedure but it works really well, requires no catalog only mailorder parts and is easily freshened up when necessary.
I did a quick lookup on the 1157, 2057, and 2357. All three have the same outside dimensions: S-8 1" bulb. Pasadenahotrod's right: the 2357 is rated at 40 candle power while the 1157 and 2057 are both rated at only 32 candle power. I'll be putting some 2357s in my '57 Chevrolet today!
My memory was not so good, sounds like I was thinking of the 2357 bulbs, but my fading memory listed 2057. Use the 2357. Thanks for the clarification and the official look-up to verify.
Thanks a bunch...sounds like the plan..I was driving behind my wife the other day,she was in the 53 Studebaker, and I thought Man, I sure would like to make those brighter! all the older cars need brighter tailights...
Bob Drake has a halogen 1157 style for $10 each ... I use them in my 32's ... last 2 or 3 seasons ... I usually wait until he runs them on sale for $7.50 each and I buy 4 or 5 ...