Cuda LED tail light bulbs

Author Topic: Cuda LED tail light bulbs  (Read 3760 times)

Offline mrob

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Cuda LED tail light bulbs
« on: November 06, 2019 - 01:46:07 PM »
I know this topic has been covered before, but I might have something constructive to add. I think I've found some good 1157 and 1156 tail light bulbs for Cudas/Challengers. By good, I mean they have: (a) good light overall output, (b) don't need load resistors, (c) light output varies noticeably between the tail lights being on and the brakes being applied, (d) price isn't too exorbitant.

Both bulbs are made by Sylvania and should be readily available. The part number for the 1157 bulb is: 1157R, make sure that the bulb is the Zevo bulb. The part number for the 1156 bulb is: 1156, the color temperature is 6000K. I got mine on Amazon where each pair of LED bulbs cost around $20. You can save some money by not replacing the backup lights (1156 bulbs), but I went ahead and replaced them all. I tried to upload a pic of the packages, but the file size was over 500K.

What I like about these bulbs is that they are "plug and play" and closely mimic the illumination characteristics of the old incandescent bulbs. Next, I'm going to try replacing the front turn signal bulbs and see if the old thermal flasher will still work. If not, I bought a solid-state flasher just in case (CEC Industries EF32RL).





Offline 70chall440

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Re: Cuda LED tail light bulbs
« Reply #1 on: November 06, 2019 - 01:56:14 PM »
Good information. I converted my taillights to LED by cutting them apart and installing some LED lights for a semi truck trailer. I used cheap walmart driving lights for the back up lights.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)

Offline mrob

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Re: Cuda LED tail light bulbs
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2019 - 09:00:20 AM »
Hi 70Chally440,

I was aware of that option but wanted to use it as plan B in case the "plug and play" solution didn't work. The 1157 bulb I mentioned really does the trick! I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to convert to LED tail lights.

Here's a link to a video which gives you an idea of how well these bulbs work. The video shows a guy comparing bulbs in a vintage VW Beetle. It gets really interesting after the 3:40 mark. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1CRoPHe0fU

Offline bc3j

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Cuda LED tail light bulbs
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2019 - 02:41:30 PM »
I have the Sylvania Zevos and they were just a plug in and work fine. With LEDs in the parking lights I was surprised to find the stock hazard flasher still worked, but at a slower rate, so I left it alone.  I used EF32RLNP neutral polarity flasher for the turn signals so I wouldn’t have to change the wiring at the flasher plug. Just grounded it on the ash tray frame. Works real good.
« Last Edit: November 07, 2019 - 02:49:07 PM by bc3j »

Offline 70chall440

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Re: Cuda LED tail light bulbs
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2019 - 11:30:12 PM »
Excellent information all the way around, your solution is certainly easier than mine. I will give this a try on my current project, a 70 RR.
Current Mopar
70 Challenger RT 440-6 EFI, 73 Cuda 416-6 EFI
05 Hemi Durango, 01 Ram 4x4, 14 Ram 2500 4X4, 10 PCP Challenger 6 spd RT, 01 Viper GTS ACR, 52 B3B w/330 Desoto Hemi, 70 Hemi RR (under const)
Past Mopars
9 x Challengers. AAR Cuda, 4 RR, 2 GTX, 4 Chargers, etc... (too many to list)