rear lightbulb upgrade

[Bitsilly]

Can anyone tell me if there is a simple or recommended swop for the rear lightbulbs so as to make them brighter?
Ideally side light and brake light.
Thanks
Ed

[Peter Laidler]

Another thinkin' on my feet moments suggests that there isn't much you can do if you want to keep the lamp bases standard. That's because the real and brake light bulb holder takes a specific 2 filament type bulb and if my memory serves me right, there's no replacement bulb with increased wattage that will fit into the holder.

Maybe someone wot is cleverer than me can improve on that answer.

[surfblue63]

Quick search on the interweb turned up this bunch.

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collec ... ight-bulbs


Halfords also sell LED replacements, but say they are not road legal? So why sell them

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs ... 19264.html

[snoopy64]

I have bulbs from classiccarleds and very pleased with them … front and rear, for fronts and internal they do warm white which looks spot on… only odd thing now is the pilot is almost as bright as the sealed beam

[AndyPen]

Quick search on the interweb turned up this bunch.

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/collec ... ight-bulbs


Halfords also sell LED replacements, but say they are not road legal? So why sell them

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs ... 19264.html

I note the comment at the bottom of classic car leds that colour shift occurs behind coloured lenses.

[abs]

I have bulbs from classiccarleds and very pleased with them … front and rear, for fronts and internal they do warm white which looks spot on… only odd thing now is the pilot is almost as bright as the sealed beam

Kevin, would you be so kind as to have a part number for the pilot lights as I can`t see them on the list

[snoopy64]

Search GLB501 on their site if it’s the push type bulb used with a holder on the early sealed beam.. I’ll double check what I ordered…

For instrument lighting you definitely need the short version of their equivalent bulbs

[snoopy64]

For the rear bulbs, I used red lamps behind a red lens with no obvious colour shift… I have to say that my reason for moving to led was to free up valuable amps from my dynamo for the headlamps and wipers
Also be aware that as they need next to no current they are a good way of finding out how good your earths are!! Look for the tell tale glow in the dark

Another good source of bulbs, especially for the positive earth community..

http://www.dynamoregulatorconversions.com/

[Bitsilly]

Excellent
Thanks everyone

[59fan]

I have '"Classiccarleds" all round in the pickup, lights, brake lights indicators and headlights, I went for the "Warm" headlights as they give a more period light, all are much brighter than the originals, and the headlights are amazing.

Ian

[Bertam]

For what's worth I've lined both sides of the metal piece between the amber and red portions of the rear lens with adhesive backed aluminium foil tape like this.



Though not corroded, those metal pieces were dull and did not seem to reflect light well. Adding any bit of extra capability seemed like a good idea + I can always remove the tape. None of what I've done is visible from outside when looking directly at it either.

Given the smallish housing size (car's a Mk2), my brake lamps are decent for what they are but of course they're nothing like a modern car, even a non LED type. I don't have it nearby today to be able to post photos of what I've done but suffice to say it has provided a small increase in light and allows me to use original type bulbs (and not go to LED's).

[Bitsilly]

Cheers, no harm in giving it a go.
I did it myself to a friends Jag but had totally forgotten!