The Ford Barn

19Fordy · 11-22-2019, 12:57 PM

I would like to use LED bulbs to replace my 1940 Ford tail light bulbs as I think they would be brighter. Car has been converted to 12v negative ground and inside light housings have been painted white. Lenses are stock 1940 Ford.
Car does not have directional signals.

What bulbs have you folks works the best and the brightest. Thanks.

I found these items.
https://upcarparts.com/catalog/produ...nger-car-10556

and the first 3 lenses shown here.
https://upcarparts.com/amfinder?find...sid=4goRrUhXUt

glennpm · 11-23-2019, 07:59 AM

Hi,

I have a 40 with Bob Drake replacement housing that I also painted white. I have a high intensity 1157 bulb, different number which I don't recall. They are good but I'd like LEDs too.

The lens only, Part# FTL4004LED, looks good to me since the LEDs are aligned to show on the unobstructed part and not blocked by the taillight stainless trim.

Glenn

Ken/Alabama · 11-23-2019, 08:11 AM

I put 32 Ford headlight bulbs in mine.

36rgtop · 11-23-2019, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

I put 32 Ford headlight bulbs in mine.

12 volt?

glennpm · 11-23-2019, 08:49 AM

I also made a license pate mount plate with LEDs mounted on the sides many years ago. They work with my manual canceling directionals and brake lights and are very noticeable.

Glenn

Pat/Ohio · 11-23-2019, 08:50 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

United Pacific is making a real nice LED replacement in 12 volt. You can contact Ken Seymour at Rodworx 1-863-646-6867. He's located in Lakeland, FL. Real nice to deal with. I have purchased several LED tail lights from him.

glennpm · 11-23-2019, 09:43 AM

I just bought them from Speedway Motors. I'll post a picture when I get them installed.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1940-...ns,379063.html

19Fordy · 11-23-2019, 10:26 AM

glennpm: Please be sure to let us know how well those lights work after you install them
Thanks.

TJ · 11-23-2019, 10:27 AM

I have found that the LED bulbs don't work that well with the stock tail light lenses. Buy the complete LED unit with lens and all.

glennpm · 11-23-2019, 10:39 AM

I will report back

Ken/Alabama · 11-23-2019, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36rgtop

12 volt?

I’m still running a 6 volt system but those bulbs are available in 12 volt also. I installed a relay to keep from burning out the brake switch on the master cylinder because of the higher amp draw on the bulbs . Now the original switch just serves as a ground when applying the brakes to energize the relay.

glennpm · 11-26-2019, 05:49 PM

Okay I got one side in today and like the results. They are quite a bit brighter than the quartz bulb conversion I already had. They come on instantly and work with my flasher since I have regular directional lights inside my headlight buckets. I have a 12V system.

It wasn't plug and play for me and have included some pics of my setup. I had to cut off the 1157 type plug and wire things up with a new ground screw inside the housing. White is ground, red is brake/directional and black taillights.

It is hard to take a picture that represents the brightness but they are excellent. My impartial and truthful assessment by my wife says they are great and welcome improvement! I like how the LEDs are aligned with the SS chevron trim too.

Glenn

PeteVS · 11-26-2019, 10:40 PM

Old Henry did some fairly scholarly research on tail lights a few years back.

Here's a link to his thread:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ght=tail+light

TomT/Williamsburg · 11-26-2019, 11:26 PM

United Pacific has an LED bulb just like the 1157 and it acts like a bulb and not multiple LEDs in a pattern. Have them on my avatar and my new 32 coupe. Super bright and it’s just a replacement bulb but an LED one. They are were $20 each the last time I bought them .....

Branded · 11-27-2019, 06:05 AM

Curious as to why nobody makes these for 6 volt

42merc · 11-27-2019, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branded

Curious as to why nobody makes these for 6 volt

Demand ?

Pat/Ohio · 11-27-2019, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Branded

Curious as to why nobody makes these for 6 volt

I have 6V LED bulbs in my '32 5W (avatar) and my 1950 Ford Custom Deluxe Sedan. Both still 6 volt positive ground. Try www.LEDlight.com or www.superbrightleds.com or remember...Google is your friend!

Pat

Branded · 11-27-2019, 01:21 PM

Google, never heard of him. Actually I did Google search 6 volt LED tail lights and found a place here in Indiana that makes the (Lanbert Enterprises). I was curious as to if there was any others vendors that folks with 6volt systems had any experience with, good or bad. Lanbert Enterprises uses a LED panel that goes behind the original lens instead of the LED bulb

1931 flamingo · 11-27-2019, 01:47 PM

There was mention a few weeks ago on the EFV8 Forum about a source for 6V LED bulbs. FWIW
Paul in CT

richard crow · 11-28-2019, 11:27 AM

glennpm has the right answer.

11-22-2019, 12:57 PM	#1
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,915	1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs I would like to use LED bulbs to replace my 1940 Ford tail light bulbs as I think they would be brighter. Car has been converted to 12v negative ground and inside light housings have been painted white. Lenses are stock 1940 Ford. Car does not have directional signals. What bulbs have you folks works the best and the brightest. Thanks. I found these items. https://upcarparts.com/catalog/produ...nger-car-10556 and the first 3 lenses shown here. https://upcarparts.com/amfinder?find...sid=4goRrUhXUt Last edited by 19Fordy; 11-22-2019 at 01:19 PM.

11-23-2019, 07:59 AM	#2
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,980	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs Hi, I have a 40 with Bob Drake replacement housing that I also painted white. I have a high intensity 1157 bulb, different number which I don't recall. They are good but I'd like LEDs too. The lens only, Part# FTL4004LED, looks good to me since the LEDs are aligned to show on the unobstructed part and not blocked by the taillight stainless trim. Glenn

11-23-2019, 08:11 AM	#3
Ken/Alabama Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,254	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs I put 32 Ford headlight bulbs in mine.

11-23-2019, 08:50 AM	#6
Pat/Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wilmington, OH/Lakeland, FL Posts: 951	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) United Pacific is making a real nice LED replacement in 12 volt. You can contact Ken Seymour at Rodworx 1-863-646-6867. He's located in Lakeland, FL. Real nice to deal with. I have purchased several LED tail lights from him.

11-23-2019, 09:43 AM	#7
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,980	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs I just bought them from Speedway Motors. I'll post a picture when I get them installed. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1940-...ns,379063.html

11-23-2019, 10:26 AM	#8
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,915	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs glennpm: Please be sure to let us know how well those lights work after you install them Thanks.

11-23-2019, 10:27 AM	#9
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,023	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs I have found that the LED bulbs don't work that well with the stock tail light lenses. Buy the complete LED unit with lens and all.

11-23-2019, 10:39 AM	#10
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Wiscasset, Maine Posts: 1,980	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs I will report back

11-26-2019, 10:40 PM	#13
PeteVS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: FP, NJ Posts: 2,770	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs Old Henry did some fairly scholarly research on tail lights a few years back. Here's a link to his thread: https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ght=tail+light __________________ Don't never get rid of nuthin!

11-26-2019, 11:26 PM	#14
TomT/Williamsburg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Williamsburg, Virginia Posts: 2,655	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs United Pacific has an LED bulb just like the 1157 and it acts like a bulb and not multiple LEDs in a pattern. Have them on my avatar and my new 32 coupe. Super bright and it’s just a replacement bulb but an LED one. They are were $20 each the last time I bought them ..... __________________ Run to the LA Roadster Show - 2016 My Run to Bonneville - 2013 My 32 5-Window Build My Run to the LSRU

11-27-2019, 06:05 AM	#15
Branded Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Yorkville Indiana Posts: 396	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs Curious as to why nobody makes these for 6 volt

11-27-2019, 01:21 PM	#18
Branded Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Yorkville Indiana Posts: 396	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs Google, never heard of him. Actually I did Google search 6 volt LED tail lights and found a place here in Indiana that makes the (Lanbert Enterprises). I was curious as to if there was any others vendors that folks with 6volt systems had any experience with, good or bad. Lanbert Enterprises uses a LED panel that goes behind the original lens instead of the LED bulb

11-27-2019, 01:47 PM	#19
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,389	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs There was mention a few weeks ago on the EFV8 Forum about a source for 6V LED bulbs. FWIW Paul in CT

11-28-2019, 11:27 AM	#20
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,767	Re: 1940 Ford Tailight Conversion to LED lenses or bulbs glennpm has the right answer.

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