series tail lights -what to do?

[reg of the overflow]

OK, I have a 1961 SWB which I am rebuilding (not restoring), taking bits off, repainting, new seals, glass, brakes, hoses, etc, etc.


The tail lights are not original but are the combination "trailer type" and a bit worse for wear so I am changing those too. The question is......


do I put the original ones in? put the "trailer type" ones in like it has? or do i drag it into the 21st century and put in LED lights instead of festoon ones?


oh the dilemmas in my life...........

[russellrovers]

OK, I have a 1961 SWB which I am rebuilding (not restoring), taking bits off, repainting, new seals, glass, brakes, hoses, etc, etc.


The tail lights are not original but are the combination "trailer type" and a bit worse for wear so I am changing those too. The question is......


do I put the original ones in? put the "trailer type" ones in like it has? or do i drag it into the 21st century and put in LED lights instead of festoon ones?


oh the dilemmas in my life...........

i have a spare set orignal s2 rear lights wipacs nos jim

[digger]

why not go a set of defender led lights?
that replaces them all and looks good to boot..

ebay to source?

[jdobson]

Think I'd replace with LED style. I made the mistake of purchasing Britpart rear lights and they are useless with the bulbs frequently popping out.. I finally had enough and super-glued the bulbs in last week! When the bulbs blow I'll be replacing..

[Lotz-A-Landies]

The 1961 would have had the Lucas lamps for the stop tail, the same as the Army SIIA.



and the glass lens Lucas lamps with the two screws for the turn signal (but likely wouldn't have had them originally.)



The current Defender style are easiest to obtain, but you need to fit red reflectors in addition to the lamps.

[Phil B]

I would go for the LED's as you are not looking for an original look.
They work very well, have zero maintenance, are alot safer but cost a bit.
Well worth it in my opinion. just remenber to change the flasher relay at the same time.

Phil.

[mick88]

Why not get standard lights and modify them so you can fit good quality white LEDs in them. Alternatively there are single filament style LED globes available in ebay that can be used in your parking lights, you may have to do some mods to they can be used in the blinkers.

Cheers, Mick.

[Jordan]

Why not get standard lights and modify them so you can fit good quality white LEDs in them.

My experience with white LEDs under an amber lens results not in an amber coloured light, but a white one. Weird.
Using orange LEDs fixed that.

[reg of the overflow]

I like that idea Jordan and Mick 88; I like the cut of your jib.....

[JDNSW]

While it is unlikely that you will ever have problems, you should be aware that using LED bulbs in a light fitting designed for an incandescent bulb means it no longer meets the specification that made it "approved". While the problem noted above with colour is one aspect, the distribution of light will also be different. You will find that most suppliers of these bulbs specify that they should only be used "offroad" or "for display", to cover themselves against liability.