Reverse light LED

[Kiwi TJ]

We all know about how the 'illuminating' the rear reverse light is on TJ's.... I came across a low budget replacement option, probably been done before but couldn't find a thread,anyway ....I replaced the standard bulb with a bayonet fitting LED. Massive difference and a quick ,cheap and easy mod.

 

[Chris]

Looks good! I've got LED read taillights, and I always look forward to putting it into reverse at night. It's so bright it just lights everything up behind you!

 

[StG58]

Yowza! OK, @Kiwi TJ , what am I looking for? What is this bayonet mount LED you speak of, and where did you get it?

OK, just searched this and came up with about a zillion 1156 LED bulbs. Cheap too! This is pure genius!

 

[Kiwi TJ]

Genius for sure.. lol basically it looks like the old bulb we know and love but has an LED inside instead of the filament... simple plug and play but with sooooooo much more light... did the same with my rear lights as well, instead of a white LED I got red ones... now people can see me from behind.

 

[StG58]

Right, so I was in town today and picked up a pair of Sylvania ZEVO 1156's for the back up lights. According to Sylvania they are supposed to be "superbright". They are brighter and whiter than stock, but we'll have to see how bright I was popping $25 on them. I forgot that the TJ backup light doesn't have a reflector in it, so half the light generated is wasted in the taillight assembly. Now the search is on for a reflector that will fit in there.

Thanks again, @Kiwi TJ , for the tip on this. Woulda never thought of that on my own.

 

[Kiwi TJ]

No worries @StG58 all part of the service... let me know how they look.(you may not even need a reflector as they are pretty bright)

 

[Dozerdude]

Old school the reflector by putting an small convex mirror, they have tape on the back. Helps a little and they are cheap.

 

[James9100]

Right, so I was in town today and picked up a pair of Sylvania ZEVO 1156's for the back up lights. According to Sylvania they are supposed to be "superbright". They are brighter and whiter than stock, but we'll have to see how bright I was popping $25 on them. I forgot that the TJ backup light doesn't have a reflector in it, so half the light generated is wasted in the taillight assembly. Now the search is on for a reflector that will fit in there.

Thanks again, @Kiwi TJ , for the tip on this. Woulda never thought of that on my own.

Yes I’m replying to a 7 year old thread…
@StG58 any pics of how the Zevo LED’s are in your reverse lights?

 

[TheBoogieman]

Yes I’m replying to a 7 year old thread…
@StG58 any pics of how the Zevo LED’s are in your reverse lights?

He hasn't been heard from since 12/28/2020.

 

[JeepZilla380]

These are the bulbs I purchased in Aug of 2018 after reading some posts here for my reverse lights. 5ish years later and they are still working and are super bright.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0721FNCWP/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[Kiwi TJ]

I forget the brand I used for mine…. But over six years later mine are still going strong

 

[Zorba]

Line the tail lite with aluminum tape...

 

[tworley]

Not sure if he is making them anymore due to supply but @Claytone makes a hell of a reverse light

 

[Tom Andersen]

I bought these, they are really bright. I also did what Zorba said.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H54SP6O/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[DWR]

Not sure if he is making them anymore due to supply but @Claytone makes a hell of a reverse light
View attachment 395110

So wanted some but might have to go with Tom just suggested instead.

Mess it, I went ahead and ordered them…

 

[StG58]

Yes I’m replying to a 7 year old thread…
@StG58 any pics of how the Zevo LED’s are in your reverse lights?

They pretty much sucked. Purchased two recessed mount LED lights and wired them in. The lights are installed flush in the bumper. They suck much less.

 

[AndyG]

Right, so I was in town today and picked up a pair of Sylvania ZEVO 1156's for the back up lights. According to Sylvania they are supposed to be "superbright". They are brighter and whiter than stock, but we'll have to see how bright I was popping $25 on them. I forgot that the TJ backup light doesn't have a reflector in it, so half the light generated is wasted in the taillight assembly. Now the search is on for a reflector that will fit in there.

Thanks again, @Kiwi TJ , for the tip on this. Woulda never thought of that on my own.

If the ones you are looking at or what I’m thinking they really don’t project well-

These do- Notice the end is a bulb also-

 

[CharlesHS]

Not sure if he is making them anymore due to supply but @Claytone makes a hell of a reverse light
View attachment 395110

I bought a set of those LED reverse lights when @Claytone posted them For Sale early last year....
They are a projector style LED with a heat sink incorporated.
Prior to installing the LEDs I installed strips of aluminum air conditioning ducting tape (similar to Zorba) inside the tail light housing for both the parking/brake lights and the reverse lights; the increase in usable lumens is quite noticeable.

 

[Claytone]

Thanks folks. They really work well.
I still get the parts in, just slowly. I have more bulb sockets coming, and a few LEDs waiting. My list is getting shorter.
@CharlesHS I can't take credit for the design, just the re-use of it.

 

[James9100]

For those of you that just put an LED into the reverse lights and lined the housing with foil tape, did you line the whole thing (of the upper reverse light section) or is there a “strategy” to tape placement as far as reflecting light the best?
Or is this about all you did?