Change the stock Backup/Reverse light bulbs to LED's
 

First let me say that this is not to take away from any venders on this site!!! This is just a DIY project that I thought worked out well for me. If yo want to change the look of your reverse lights. I know these are nothing like the ones that company's like AAC...ect,sells.

I was putting in my Rapid Fire taillights and decided to try a bulb change on the reverse lights. After taking a look, the bulb twists out just like any other bulb socket does.

I had a few LED/SMD lights, that are the same as a 194,168...ect bulb. So, I took the white base off it and had the leads exposed. After looking at the stock bulb, I started pulling the bulb out of the bulb socket. In the pics you will see that the bulbs are the same dia/length. worked the bulb leads into the socket, with it plugged to the wiring harness, worked like a charm. I now have brighter and whiter lights than come stock. The LED's had 5 SMD's per blub. I have a couple of light's ordered with 25 SMD's. I plan on changing to these after they come in. Just thought someone out there may want to do this.

Take note, you have to have the bulb socket plugged into the wiring harness, the leads on the LED/SMD bolb are small and bend easy. But, will set in the same base area as the stock bulb. I did put a small spot or two of silicone on the base of the socket where the light snaps in. Just to make sure it was secure. Good Luck!!:thumbup:

more pics

Hmmmmm very interesting. Nice job. :thumbup:

I see what you did now.

I found the on ebay, but some of the venders here may have LED's that will work. The Japan LED's are junk. German made ones are the best!!! Or USA brands,for sure.

I just realized I have a couple of LED's that were going to be for my license plate. I think I will have to try this.

Thanks :thumbup:

Just remember that LED's are lead sensitive.

LoPerformance.....just a suggestion for the future, make sure the pictures you have taken are in focus and people can actually see the detail you are trying to show them. The top and the last 2 are so blurry you might as well delete them. I'm just sayin.....

Cool idea. How does the light output compare to stock?

looking at the pictures he posted, his upgrade shows they put out a LOT more light. picture #2 is stock, Pic #3 is the upgrade.

Is there a commercially made LED bulb that would be an exact replacement for the factory bulb without having to dissect the factory bulb holder?

I checked and there is no listing for a bulb. Oreilly's, autozone,...ect.

Go to eBay, you'll definitely find some there. For cheap too

(factory replacement bulbs) Yes there all kinds of LED's to chose from out there!!!

did you have to take the entire bumper off to replace these?

Yup.

I was thinking of trying the same thing, I just never got around to it... now i see that it works, well I may have to just do it!

Sorry about the pics. It was getting late and a long day. Did not know they were that bad till I posted them.

Cool that you did this. I've been looking to put LEDs in there too. More to get rid of the yellow incandescent light than brightness. Thanks!

I got the newer lights in with 25 LED's, hope to get those in and see how they look and work.

These pics suck too!!!! Sorry

how hard/time consuming is it to take off the bumper? i really like the look of the LED's!

LanMan08, I just change out to the other bulbs this afternoon. It will take you about 30 to 45 mins to take the car apart. I take my time, to make sure there is no damage done to any of the body parts. Please see the pics and you will see what all to do. First take the taillight coverings off the car, unplug wiring harness to the rear lights, then take three torques screws out of the fender area behind rear tire. Yes, you can do this without removing the tires. There will be one 7mm screw to remove toward the end of the rear section towards the rear tire. almost at the end. Pull the sides of the rear section away fron the car on both sides. They are in a clipped in area, dont frett you wont break anything. Then pull at each corner where the taillights are and it will pop right off. It is easier to do with two people if you have someone to help you. The whole wiring harness is attacthed to the rear section. Lay it on a soft area not to scratch things up. Then repeat process in reverse after putting in the lights. It is easier than you think. I was scared to death to takle this. But, it is really simple to do, just take your time, as with all projects you do. Please find, yes way better picture on the project, than I had posted. And yes it is worth the trouble to do this, They are super bright!!!!!

Great job low performance...looks great.

:thumbup:Here what we are shooting for.......night time!!!!! They are Bright!!!!!:confused0068::w00t:

Thanks! Its worth the time and cost less than $10.

:thumbup:

So totally necessary to remove the rear fender to do this?? or can I just remove the liner in the back and be able to get to the reverse light??

That's awesome, that's the look I'm going for. No more yellow light.

Yes you do have to take the rear off. No way around it, that ive found.

Yes it is totally necessary to remove the rear of car. But all you do is take screws out on the fender liner, you do not have to remove it. you have to take the screws out to be able to pull the sides of the rear valance off.

Ok, looks bright when looking at it, but no one has shown the light splash behind the car. What does it look like behind you?! :iono:

I'll will try and get some for ya. I was really wanting the difference in color more than anything. These will be nothing like the one that AAC sells, im sure. But for $10 they are better than stock ones.

The light field should be same or better than stock at those brightness levels... The light you see in the pics is bouncing off of the internal reflectors in the housing, not directly from the chip... If that makes sense.

I'm guessing..No error codes?

No, I have not had any error codes at all. I have changed out every light on this car,except for the front blinker bulbs. That will be next. Changed every light on car to LED"S. I will keep you posted if I get any error's!!!!

so what bulb and from where should i buy if i just want to plug and play?

like do what the OP did? He bought a 194 syle LED and pulled the base off. That's as close to plug and play as you get, without going to the AAC housing/bulb combo

Do you have a link to where you purchased the bulbs from?

Just wondering if you have the backup camera and if the camera adapts to the bright light OK at night?

I just did this mod and it is awesome! Thanks for posting this! Wasnt difficult at all. I ended up using the same 25 led bulb. Attachment 458187Attachment 458188
I tried taking a pic of the output but its hard to pick it up on my iphone camera. However it is definitely much brighter and well worth doing.

I want to post a little tip
Attachment 458186
To get the leds in the correct way. You should line up the negative side of the led with the side of the original harness that has the writing on it.

Also i'd advise you guys to put a dab of silicon to hold the new led in place in the old harness and let it dry for 20-30 mins because i didnt the first time and it came lose after i finished putting it all back together -___-

Link to the leds i used.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400319442582

Cool mod guys! I'll be doing this too once it warms up a bit