Unplanned LED marker conversion

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Phils67
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Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

This past week I lost my turn signals due to poor wiring I did when I was young and stupider.
Spent the day yesterday rewiring them and got them working. In the process I dropped the one marker bulb and broke it so in a pinch tried some LED strips I bought a while back for another project and never used. They actually worked well and blink normal. Not bad for a $7 upgrade :-bd
This is marker only up close Image

Here is how the top and bottom strip look on flash
Image

And this is a full view of both markers
Image

Overall I am happy with the results. Hopefully they will hold up for a while. Not bad for a cheap spontanious repair. I actually think they look pretty cool. I am going to attempt the tail lights today and will update later how it goes.
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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dodgerammit
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by dodgerammit »

They look great
84 Grand Waggy-Radio Flyer (Garnet Red/3M Ebony Metallic woodgrain, with honey interior) AMC 360 :cry: 2004 4.8LS/Advance Adapter/727/242 D44/AMC20 Serehill tailgate and headlight harnesses :fsj: Ongoing thread-viewtopic.php?t=11897

92 Wrangler Islander 4.0/32RH/231 D30/D35 RHD
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Phils67
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

Thanks. Tails arent going to work though. I am attempting it as we speak. Not without a LED flasher or a resistor. Oh well. I am content with thw front for now
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Stuka
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Stuka »

What voltage are you running the LEDs at?
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Phils67
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

Every bulb on the truck is LED (headlights, front marker/turn, clearance lights, and interior) except the tail marker/turn/stop and they all have a full 12v going to them
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Stuka
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Stuka »

Ah, they must be internally regulated then. Love LED lighting though, so much brighter, and way less energy used.
2017 JKU Rubicon
Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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j10jim
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by j10jim »

spill the beans on what LED lights you used. I want to upgrade my front turn signals to LED. I have LED's on the side markers, and headlights. Rear Tails,,,well have to look into that. Thanks
1980 J10/20
Rusty's 4" lift, 2" body lift, old Cliffhanger front bumper, 35" tires, 65 dash w Speedhut gauges.
Xtrusion Overland rack system, Tepui tent, 1/2 decked system.

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Phils67
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

They were just cheap yellow LED strips I got on ebay about a year or so ago and never used. They came from I think Hong Kong 6 in a pack for maybe ike 10 bucks. I will go back in my ebay history and see if I can find them for you. If/when I redo them I am going to use three 3/4" bullet lights or try to fit a 6" oval amber tail/turn behind the lens so it appears stock from the outside
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Phils67
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

Today i ended up getting six 3/4" amber bullet lights for trailers. I removed the strips I previously installed and retrofit the bullet lights to my existing housings. Here are some pics of them for anyone interested. They are super bright and flash properly. I am running a standard 12v to them. Replacements are readily available if need be. They are rubber mounted and fit snug. The center (marker) fits where the original socket was with no modification, just remove the socket with a pair of pliers. All I had to do was drill two 3/4" holes for the outer ones (turns), pop them in, and wire them up. They ground to the housing so I had to drill a small self tapping screw in to attach the ground wires but no big deal. Couldn't be happier with the results!
Image
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1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.

twisted frame
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by twisted frame »

Real good looking mod! Wow!

Now, how did you get your early-style clear lenses so clear? Did you use one of those headlight restoration kits for plastic headlight assemblies? Did you polish them? They look amazing.
73 J4000. 360, MC 2100, T18A, D20, stock closed knuckle Dana 44 front, 60-2 rear. Warn Lock-O-Matics, Warn/Belleview electric winch, true duals with glasspacks, old-school front diff skid plate, used 265 Toyos on 16" AR wheels.
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Phils67
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

Bought them new. They are reproductions
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.

twisted frame
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by twisted frame »

Phils67 wrote:Bought them new. They are reproductions
Ok thanks! I think I have seen the seller who has those on the 'bay.
73 J4000. 360, MC 2100, T18A, D20, stock closed knuckle Dana 44 front, 60-2 rear. Warn Lock-O-Matics, Warn/Belleview electric winch, true duals with glasspacks, old-school front diff skid plate, used 265 Toyos on 16" AR wheels.
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Phils67
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

They are pretty nice for repops. My only gripe is they come with a cork gasket. I would have preferred rubber but I guess its more 'original' with cork.
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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jpswapmohn
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by jpswapmohn »

I am stealing that mod!
One day I will wake up and realize that my jeep is complete...one day, I just know it.
88Wag, LT1/4L60E/NP242, J20 axles, etc. http://imgbox.com/g/rNuIasKYrS
95YJ, STaK, D44's, SOA, ARB's, Bilstein 5150s, 35" KM2's
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Phils67
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

Go for it! Its been over 2 months now and i have zero regrets. Everything still works as they should. Eventually i want to swap in a LED flasher relay and do this on the tail lights as well. I have a later bed on it with the j10/20 taillights so im thinking maybe 5 per side. I'll update when i do it. Focus has been on winterizing everything and getting the tractor ready for snow removal duties so the truck is on hold at the moment.
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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51hank
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by 51hank »

Check out the LED taillights from BJ's - drop in and look great! I am planning that mod for my J10 later this month. I love the front mod - mind if I steal it? Are the bullet trailer lights LED? http://www.bjsoffroad.com/LED-Taillight ... _2004.html
51Hank
77 J-10/401/QT/TH400
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Phils67
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

51hank wrote:Check out the LED taillights from BJ's - drop in and look great! I am planning that mod for my J10 later this month. I love the front mod - mind if I steal it? Are the bullet trailer lights LED? http://www.bjsoffroad.com/LED-Taillight ... _2004.html
I have considered the BJs tail lights since my early truck has a late model bed. Just wish I could see them in person before buying. Anyone can steal this mod, I don't own any rights to it lol. Yes they are 3/4" rubber mounted LED trailer bullet lights. I work for a trailer company so saying "hey boss, mind if I take a few of these home to try something out? If they don't work I'll bring them back tomorrow" is a common occurance haha I have a few ideas for a loading light and bed lighting as well that I will eventually get to. I will post pics when I do
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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51hank
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by 51hank »

I have seen them in person - (i got lucky! - just 20 miles away from me)very well built and easy to install - here is the procedure - http://forum.bjsoffroad.com/forum/forum ... structions
I will document my install when I do them later this month.
I like these better because of the large surface they make the lights look better than just 1 hot spot in the center.
51Hank
77 J-10/401/QT/TH400
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Cecil14
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Cecil14 »

I'm doing pretty much the same thing you've got going Phil. I've got a ton of the 3/4" bulbs here, and all my wiring out right now for a rewire. I've got one taillight started, but not finished yet. I don't think I'll be able to get 5 bulbs in for the regular tail/brake light portion, just because of the shape of the housing, but 4 should be plenty workable. I'll get some pics if I ever get around to finishing it.

I've looked at the BJs stuff before as well, but I'd much prefer to do it myself. Eventually, I'd like to make my own PCBs that fit the entire taillight housing (including reverse lights). That's a little bit down the road, though.


aa
1983 J-10 - 4.6L(MPFI)/CS130D/Hydroboost/NV3550/D300/44/44/3.54/Disc-Disc/32s/42 gallon 'burb tank
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Phils67
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Re: Unplanned LED marker conversion

Post by Phils67 »

Cecil14 wrote:I'm doing pretty much the same thing you've got going Phil. I've got a ton of the 3/4" bulbs here, and all my wiring out right now for a rewire. I've got one taillight started, but not finished yet. I don't think I'll be able to get 5 bulbs in for the regular tail/brake light portion, just because of the shape of the housing, but 4 should be plenty workable. I'll get some pics if I ever get around to finishing it.

I've looked at the BJs stuff before as well, but I'd much prefer to do it myself. Eventually, I'd like to make my own PCBs that fit the entire taillight housing (including reverse lights). That's a little bit down the road, though.


aa
I have been thinking of filling the tail light panel in smooth and using 4" round LED to look more period correct but I haven't really settled on a final decision yet. It might end up being a winter project amongst 1000 other winter goals for this thing. Also considering converting the J10 gate to a chain latch style and filling the tailgate handle in since early beds are unobtainable. That would give the best of both worlds. A bed that looks period correct for the truck but has the double wall sides of the later models.
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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