LED bulbs in my Rover

[telwyn]

Just for kicks I bought a 5 watt RED Led Bulb from www.superbrightleds.com. May not be the cheapest place to get them ($29.95) each, but I've ordered from them in the past and been happy.

Wasn't entirely sure if the bulb would even fit the bulb socket in my 1982 Land Rover Lightweight's sockets. And if it fit, didn't know if it would work properly.

Much to my surprise today, the bulb fits almost perfectly and does work perfectly. Even blinks properly in the turn signal tail light socket. I thought that might require an LED compatible flasher, but at least on my Rover it doesn't.

So I've ordered more red bulbs for the brake lights and front/back turn signal lights, amber for the tail lights and clear for the running lights up front. The red bulb is product # 1156-RLX5. You should be able to figure out the other codes from there.

I know it cost me a small fortune, but I plan on keeping this truck for a lifetime so that's a negligible annual cost when amortized over hopefully many, many years to come (for the Rover and me!).

The difference in brightness is incredible even in an iPhone photo. Believe it or not, the right tail light is on also, but it's the regular bulb.

 

[kellymoe]

That is a very noticeable difference. Is it the push and turn type bulb with the two prongs on the side? I have been meaning to do the same with my truck. Can you link a picture or page that has the item number from the place you bought them? Thanks.

 

[telwyn]

Yup, push and turn type bulbs with the two prongs on the sides. Some of the bulbs I bought had one contact on the bottom and some have two contacts. My Rover uses both kind of bulbs on the rear.

Click here and then scroll down to the ones titled BA15 5-Watt LED bulb.

Even though the light lens on the Rover are colored, I also bought bulbs in the same color to further intensify it.

Series Rovers are sometimes tough to match components for when buying non original components. A Lightweight is even harder, but my first try worked. Those of you with other trucks may have an easier time buying exactly what you need. The website also has a search feature to help you figure out exact replacement bulbs.

I also bought prewired red LEDs and intend to replace all of my dash bulbs with a nice red glow...

 

[kellymoe]

Thanks for the info. Looks like some good stuff in there. I'm getting some interior light ideas now:sombrero:

 

[telwyn]

Ok, no pun intended but my bright idea may have been a little too bright. You saw the daytime photo. Pretty compelling reason to buy LEDs for the tail lights.

But here's the evening photo. It's a bit blinding. Worried these may not be legal, although I'm not sure much on my Rover is any way.

Anyone know?

 

[kellymoe]

I think I'm going to get some of those $3 12v LRD's and see how they work.
Yours are looking pretty darn bright:Wow1:

 

[telwyn]

At least I'll no longer have to worry about people knowing if I'm stopping or not!

 

[kellymoe]

At least I'll no longer have to worry about people knowing if I'm stopping or not!

Looks like your firing your afterburner.

 

[Michael Slade]

Wow, those are bright!

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Those would make great "stop tailgaiting" lights if I put them in my rear fog lights.... hmmm...

 

[kellymoe]

I'm also looking at replacing my dome light to LED as well as instrument and lights. Being able to leave the dome light on at a fraction of the draw of the standard bulb is pretty appealing. I have some battery operated LRD lamps in the back of my truck as well as a hard wired 90 LED truck back up light that I have over my work area in the truck. The 90 LED really puts the light out.

 

[Antichrist]

Nothing unique about Lightweight bulbs.
I went with these http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Halogen-Taillight-Bulbs-1156-Straight-Mounting-Pins,3031.html
I bought mine from JC Whitney. If you're careful you can actually get good deals from them, believe it or not. I got my Racor filter from them as well.

 

[telwyn]

I stand corrected then - the guy at Advanced Auto couldn't help with replacement bulbs for the Lightweight, but I can immediately tell from the JC Whitney picture that you are correct. Pretty standard after all.

Don't mean to hijack my own thread, but are you running a Racor fuel filter? If so, which one is the correct one for a Lightweight?

Thanks!

 

[revor]

Excellent info! Finally a cure for Defender "what instrument lighting" syndrome!

 

[telwyn]

I remembered today that the dash led lights I bought came from www.oznium.com and only my tail light leds came from www.superbrightleds.com.

The ones I'm using in my dash come prewired in any color you'd like. Much like your Defender, I had zero lights working on my Lightweight dash.