Looking to see what y'all are using for max bulb brightness, fitment and lifetime. Amber or clear? I have OEM lenses on these lights. Thanks!
Your LED brand suggestions for 3157 and 168 LED bulb replacements
- Thread starter Jeep 541X
- Start date
OP
They sure aren't cheap, but I do like their Hassle-Free return policy. How bright is too bright on those amber 3157s? 250? 310? 510 lumens?
OP
I hear ya, my plan is Trucklite 26270C headlights, Quadratec led taillight assemblies, extreme terrain led 3rd brake light and diode dynamic bulbs everywhere else. BTW I’m right over the pass from you in Polk County, until January when I’m moving to Alabama for two years.
Avoid using LEDs in the side marker lights. That circuit only works properly with incandescent bulbs unless you modify the circuit which isn't easy to do. The side marker circuit polarity/current flow direction reverses when the headlights are turned on and LEDs screw that up since they, being diodes, only conduct in one direction. Incandescent bulbs conduct electricity equally in both directions.
VLEDS. 50-LED ambers up front, 26-LED 194s in the side markers. I have not found brighter or better/longer lasting quality. I have not had a single issue.
3157 Ambers
194 Ambers
You could do the 70-LED switchbacks if you run clear housings, but I prefer the amber lens look and obviously an amber bulb needs to accompany the amber lens.
Not a fan of Diode Dynamics at all, every bulb they sell is far worse than the VLEDS equivalent. I've tried them all. DD was worse than incandescent in many cases.
Check out VLEDS. I used to run DD bulbs but they were nowhere near as good as they could have been. DD has the all too common problem with their bulbs....the low mode (parking lamp) portion is too bright and the brake/turn signal portion is barely brighter. Also, DD bulbs are very often just not bright. I put their amber bulbs in my turn signals on my truck and during the day they were just barely visible at all. At night when the parking lamp was on, you couldn't hardly see the difference in the blinker.
I definitely do recommend the QT brake lights, they are very good. For the 3rd brake light, I'd get this:
921 Red
It is super bright and works really well in the third brake housing. I used to consider the one from Extreme Terrain, but turns out it's just an Amazon light that is rebranded and sold at much more cost than Amazon. The amazon reviews had a bunch of condensation issues. I'd stick with stock and do the bulb I showed or similar. It looks really good in combination with QT tails. That pic below is QT tails and that 921 bulb I linked.
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OP
I like your LED plans. Polk county... not too far from here. It's always so cool to "meet" Oregon forum members.
OP
Mr. Bransford, you are correct, the circuit modification was not necessarily easy, due to its location and not having the right tools, however, with a little help with forum friends, I got it all done and working properly. Now, all of my TJ lights are LEDs. You all are the best!!
OP
Thanks for the report on the VLEDS. It's just the type of information I am looking for from your guys' experience.
I highly endorse the Sylvania ZEVO product … though they are expensive and the LEDs almost require a reflector for best performance, I BELIEVE they’re quality and more importantly the difference between dim and bright (signals) make them a superior product. Not to mention how well the fit in a socket … a lot of what Amazon pushes is trash, poor fit, poor thermal design, poor reliability. I never used diode dynamics or any other “boutique” brands.
For the interior, unfortunately I go all Super Bright LEDs, hit and miss with respect to quality, but gauges and such is one of the few sources …
BTW: I have converted many vehicles to full LED, including 3 of my 5 TJ/LJS
For the interior, unfortunately I go all Super Bright LEDs, hit and miss with respect to quality, but gauges and such is one of the few sources …
BTW: I have converted many vehicles to full LED, including 3 of my 5 TJ/LJS
OP
Thanks for taking the time to chime in. I currently do have Sylvania Zevo bulbs in place for both the side and front however, I am not overly satisfied with the brightness on the front ones for either running light or blinker functions.
I will agree that Super Bright LEDs makes great dimming units for all of the interior lighting.
Actually I goofed, I install ALL zevo exterior bulbs EXCEPT the front side marker, I use the regular Sylvania LED because the ZEVO are too bright in that location…
Odd that you find them dim. I find them to be great without screaming “look at me and my crazy bright LEDs”, I have verified in the rear view mirror that reflective signs react to my brake pedal from quite aways … so they seem bright enough for my judgment … I also clean out my housings when swapping to LED, if they’re dirty inside or faded from the sun then degraded performance is expected …
OP