LED Mod Thread

[PapaBear229]

Yes sir, you are correct. Apparently no one makes the 3757 in a LED bulb (That I can find, I guess 3157 is more common and not worth the money to make 3757). You can easily shave off the notches on each side with a razor blade and 3157s will work just fine. Make sure you get some resistors to correct the hyper flash issue.

and the resistor goes on the wires leading to the socket correct (Ground to parking?) I know im a noob with so many questions

Also if i get the cree fog lights and reverse lights would i need to add resistors to them aswell?

 

[Blckshdw]

and the resistor goes on the wires leading to the socket correct (Ground to parking?) I know im a noob with so many questions

You want ground to turn signal, since that's what gets the hyperflash. Not the parking light, which is constant.

 

[PapaBear229]

One last question I promise, What size resistor should i use?

 

[NinjuhhNutz]

One last question I promise, What size resistor should i use?

I do believe these are generally what people go with. 50 watt 6 ohm resistors. Just keep in mind not to mount them on plastic lol they tend to get a bit warm

 

[gpking]

I'd like to be able to use my reverse lights whenever I want- I would like to put a switch in the dash that will turn them on so I can use them even if I'm not in reverse.
If I find a 12V constant (or switched 12V from the ignition switch) up front, run it to a switch in the dash, then connect it to the reverse lights, will it work without blowing any fuses or the bulbs (LED btw)?

The bulbs are pretty bright, so they could come in handy while tailgating after dark or something.
It would also be fun to be able to "brake-check" the occasional jacka$$ tailgater by flipping on the reverse lights.

 

[Blckshdw]

I'd like to be able to use my reverse lights whenever I want- I would like to put a switch in the dash that will turn them on so I can use them even if I'm not in reverse.
If I find a 12V constant (or switched 12V from the ignition switch) up front, run it to a switch in the dash, then connect it to the reverse lights, will it work without blowing any fuses or the bulbs (LED btw)?

The bulbs are pretty bright, so they could come in handy while tailgating after dark or something.
It would also be fun to be able to "brake-check" the occasional jacka$$ tailgater by flipping on the reverse lights.

From Moosemans' manuals... Looking at the setup, the BCM sends the reverse signal to the tail light harnesses. So in theory you could tap your switched signal in somewhere at the rear block. Not sure if backfeeding the reverse signal into the BCM would cause any issues or not on the data bus, you could always introduce a pair of diodes, one on the stock line, and one on your switched line, so they would not feed any power to each other when activated.

 

[Sparky]

Either the diode would work, or a single pole double throw switch, or a relay. You don't want to backfeed anything. Generally a bad idea.

 

[gpking]

From Moosemans' manuals... Looking at the setup, the BCM sends the reverse signal to the tail light harnesses. So in theory you could tap your switched signal in somewhere at the rear block. Not sure if backfeeding the reverse signal into the BCM would cause any issues or not on the data bus, you could always introduce a pair of diodes, one on the stock line, and one on your switched line, so they would not feed any power to each other when activated.

The backfeeding is what I am worried about, but diodes on both lines would solve that problem.
I'm fine with blowing fuses, I just don't want to damage any not-meant-to-be-fried components.

 

[Venomhatch]

So here is some shots I took now that it is night time.

First is the rear manual AC Control

Now is the floorboard areas of the front two seats. Sorry about the mess in the pass floorboard I was doing something else in it today.

 

[Envoy_04]

[video=youtube;2Q6_9A90cUk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q6_9A90cUk[/video]

And that, folks, is what the USPS did to my LEDs which came today. As promised, here are the pics of 'em, but not in action.

View attachment 33296

View attachment 33297

View attachment 33298

View attachment 33299

View attachment 33300

I've got an email in to the seller, hopefully we'll get this resolved and before long I may get some bulbs that I can actually put in my Voy.

Then I'll be able to say I've got Cree LEDs before Blckshdw!

 

[Envoy_04]

Aaaand, I'm back! I tested out then two LEDs that still looked okay today out of sheer boredom. I knew one worked, but the other only half worked. I discovered that I had just missed one of the little wires when testing it, and it lit up as soon as I applied the voltage! I now have LEDs in my backup lights!!!! :wootwoot:

View attachment 33341

View attachment 33342

View attachment 33343

The lens on the housing makes it have lines, but it still looks way better to me, can't wait to try it after dark! I have an idea for a new mod for lights as well, Envoy backup light lenses and Envoy fog light lenses are the same shape and size ( I measured ), but the mounting and housing are a bit different. Anyone see where I'm going with this??

 

[Blckshdw]

I know there were a couple of guys on the OS that took 4" farm truck lights or something, and retrofitted them into the Envoy bumper as reverse lights without the red reflector. I'm sure you can adapt some fog lights to work the same way, if my guess is correct.

 

[Envoy_04]

I was thinking either adapt the foglights or take the lens from a foglight and also off a backup light, then reseal em like you guys who've cut open headlights with the clear lens over the backup light. I need to look closer at the backup light housing internals to see if that would be possible though, the red reflector may have blank plastic behind it which would mess things up.

I did see an XUV the other day which had backup lights that looked like a regular Envoy's except they didn't have the reflector. Dont know if all XUVs were that way, but if so this may be a good base for the clear foglight lens retrofit? Just thinking out loud here...

 

[Blckshdw]

...I did see an XUV the other day which had backup lights that looked like a regular Envoy's except they didn't have the reflector. Dont know if all XUVs were that way, but if so this may be a good base for the clear foglight lens retrofit? Just thinking out loud here...

Yes, the XUV backup light is completely clear. Not sure how much they cost, you may want to look at a generic round light of the same diameter, just to compare. May be more cost effective to go aftermarket.

This is Kurupt's XUV

 

[Envoy_04]

May have to keep an eye out for some XUV lights, problem is people say they're a slightly different size than regular Envoy lights. I was just tooling around with ideas anyhow, I don't really want to put any round aftermarket lights in because the stock backup lights are, just like the fogs, slightly oval shaped. Round lights just wouldn't fit the hole the right way, and I'm picky about stuff like that.

If I had the resources I know that I'd without a doubt order a set of foglight housings and some Cree 880 LED bulbs from Kevin, and commence the reverse light retrofit with gusto. Unfortunately, that actually happening is probably a ways off. I really do like the extra light output the current setup is getting me, the lines seem to be more prevalent up close but in the dark backing up they seem to go away. Plus my reverse lights finally match my license plate lamps! :wootwoot: Can't wait til the other bulbs get here so I can do the cornering lamps.

 

[IllogicTC]

May have to keep an eye out for some XUV lights, problem is people say they're a slightly different size than regular Envoy lights. I was just tooling around with ideas anyhow, I don't really want to put any round aftermarket lights in because the stock backup lights are, just like the fogs, slightly oval shaped. Round lights just wouldn't fit the hole the right way, and I'm picky about stuff like that.

If I had the resources I know that I'd without a doubt order a set of foglight housings and some Cree 880 LED bulbs from Kevin, and commence the reverse light retrofit with gusto. Unfortunately, that actually happening is probably a ways off. I really do like the extra light output the current setup is getting me, the lines seem to be more prevalent up close but in the dark backing up they seem to go away. Plus my reverse lights finally match my license plate lamps! :wootwoot: Can't wait til the other bulbs get here so I can do the cornering lamps.

In case you decide to look deeper into the XUV backup lamps:

GM 15764003

Single part number, so there's no left/right distinction. $40 each looks like.

 

[05bluenvoy]

If I'm having trouble, I can use my trusty digital multimeter to help me out.

[video=youtube;LvDaVCp9k7k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvDaVCp9k7k[/video]

Hmm...interestingly enough, the military still uses stuff like this. I didn't work with it (thankfully) but I believe some of the meteorological navigation equipment does. I think they are called nixe vacuum tubes.

Quick question, I noticed that all the bulbs in my door window switch panel are burnt out, so I went to put in LED's but I think 3mm LEDs are too small. I've tried going through this thread but its freakin huge and I thought that maybe someone would know right off hand what they used...how bright and where they bought them. Thanks

 

[Midnyteryder196]

Quick question, I noticed that all the bulbs in my door window switch panel are burnt out, so I went to put in LED's but I think 3mm LEDs are too small. I've tried going through this thread but its freakin huge and I thought that maybe someone would know right off hand what they used...how bright and where they bought them. Thanks

I used 5mm flat top leds , bought a 100 pack n 100 resistors for like 10 bucks on eBay..

To get your switches bright though. You will have to get creative and put an led under each switch, otherwise if you just used the same spot the the regular bulbs go your switches will be pretty dim..

My Dr side switch..

If you go to my mod thread you can see how bright my switches are..

 

[05bluenvoy]

I used 5mm flat top leds , bought a 100 pack n 100 resistors for like 10 bucks on eBay..

To get your switches bright though. You will have to get creative and put an led under each switch, otherwise if you just used the same spot the the regular bulbs go your switches will be pretty dim..

My Dr side switch..

If you go to my mod thread you can see how bright my switches are..

Ya...I put them in and checked it out tonight...they are pretty dim. So the problem isn't just that size are 3mm ...I need more than two. I guess I'll order some 5mm leds along with some more resistors and see what I can work out. Thanks.

 

[Envoy_04]

In case you decide to look deeper into the XUV backup lamps:

GM 15764003

Single part number, so there's no left/right distinction. $40 each looks like.

I found an XUV sitting unattended in a parking lot, so after a few glances around to make sure no large angry looking guys were running toward me, I did some looking at the reverse lights and took some measurements. Though they are all clear, they are actually smaller in diameter than regular Envoy lamps and they also have a convex lens instead of a flat one. So much for my housing mod idea, guess it's back to fitting some fogs, which are handily the same size, into the hole and converting the plug to 880 style instead of 3157. Honestly, after having my Cree LEDs in for a while now and experimenting some with them after dark, I'm pretty happy with the dispersion from the stock housing. Maybe the clear fog lens retrofit idea will happen someday, but it'll likely be down the road. As we all know, mod bugs feed on cash, plastic, and even loose coins, and my pet mod bug has eaten all his available food supply for a little while.

Also got my replacement Crees in the mail today back home, the seller was really helpful and had a super fast turnaround on getting them shipped out once I told him about the problem I had with the shape the bulbs arrived in. It'll be til Thursday evening or Friday before I can get them installed though.

Here's how one compares to a stock 3157 in size, surprisingly the size difference looks smaller in person for some reason, the pic makes the Cree look longer than it actually is.

View attachment 33451

 

[Envoy_04]

Crees are in the cornering lamps now too! They make it look REALLY good, plus they send more usable light out to where you're turning than the old bulbs did, handy for me since I drive and make turns out in the country where it's DARK, no streetlights out here. Enough talk, onto a couple pics!

View attachment 33556

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Couldn't get a decent pic of the light output, my phone doesn't like pics of light in the dark at all. As a nice bonus, since the lenses are clear the bulbs show up inside of there, and that projector sticking right out at you looks nice in there, kinda gives it a little custom look that other car guys will notice and appreciate.

On a side note, I noticed my driver's side low beam burnt out while I was out testing these bulbs. Have an old spare in for now, but it looks like maybe the Cree LED headlights I've been secretly drooling over may not be as far away as I thought they were. The price they're going for is a deal, and with their light output and lifespan compared to a halogen or even HID bulb, they're really a good investment, I just wish I didn't have a front end noise to track down and fix at the same time I've got a chance to jump on these lights. Decisions, decisions....

 

[PapaBear229]

I actually just received the same exact crees in the mail today, I love the revers lights so far. resistors for parking lights should be here tomorrow.

 

[PapaBear229]

Well mine fit but don't work, any ideas as to why guys? The stock bulb works just fine

 

[Blckshdw]

Sounds like you need to test the bulbs independently to make sure they are not DOA. Get yourself a 9V battery and some spare wire, or paperclips and see if you can light them up.

Edit: :banghead: I just noticed you drive a 2002, so that means you have SRCK sockets up front, not conventional sockets like everyone else. That's why they aren't lighting up.

 

[PapaBear229]

Well shit, is there anything I can do to remedy this? Or am I SOL. And I tested all bulbs upon unboxing

 

[Blckshdw]

Well shit, is there anything I can do to remedy this? Or am I SOL. And I tested all bulbs upon unboxing

Exchange the bulbs for a SRCK version if they carry them. A couple of the other '02 owners tried swapping the harness connector, with no luck.

 

[PapaBear229]

a little reading up arises another question i have 6ohm resistors, if i put these in the tailights and put Crees in the blinker on my taillights and switchbacks in my parking lights would i only need these 2 resistors or resistor on all?

 

[Blckshdw]

a little reading up arises another question i have 6ohm resistors, if i put these in the tailights and put Crees in the blinker on my taillights and switchbacks in my parking lights would i only need these 2 resistors or resistor on all?

I believe you only need 2 if you go with 6 ohm, and 4 (on all corners) if you go with 3 ohms.

 

[PapaBear229]

I believe you only need 2 if you go with 6 ohm, and 4 (on all corners) if you go with 3 ohms.

That's Awesome. Just had to make sure before spending unnecessary money even if it is only like 7 bucks.

 

[NT1078]

Hi All,
I am a newbie jumping on the LED reverse light train. I just ordered some 13 bulb units from Ebay. Cheapy ones shipping from overseas, so I am hopeful they will be better than what I have! Will post pics once they arrive.

Cheers,
Adam

 

[DFWWIZ]

Hi All,
I am a newbie jumping on the LED reverse light train. I just ordered some 13 bulb units from Ebay. Cheapy ones shipping from overseas, so I am hopeful they will be better than what I have! Will post pics once they arrive.

Cheers,
Adam

13 bulb units?? Engrish prease

 

[DFWWIZ]

Maybe the 12 smd on the sides and the Cree projector up front?

Like what I sell for $22/pair
I will have more in 5 watt and 10 watt versions in about 2 weeks. I just now got in some bright 3157 SRCK tail light bulbs which run $26/pair.
And I'm putting together the next order for the Cree/driver headlight sets which will go in on Friday.
link to post on TBSSowners: http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98958

 

[Mark20]

I got cheap LEDs for the license plate from eBay and individual diodes were dying within two or three months. I replaced them with ones from http://SuperBrightLEDs.com A little more expensive but they're going strong almost two years later. I also replaced my backups lights with LEDs from SuperBright, I forget the exact model right now and can't look it up but they have a very good cross-reference system.

 

[Envoy_04]

Maybe the 12 smd on the sides and the Cree projector up front?

That's what I'm thinking.

Had I bothered to do my homework and check with Kev before I ordered mine I would've gotten them from him. I did find a seller with a decent price who was alright to deal with, but IMO I'd rather spend my money with Kevin because he's actually rooted in our platform.

Adam, I notice you drive an Envoy, which means the same 3157 LED you use for reverse lights will work in the nifty Envoy cornering lights too!

 

[PapaBear229]

I lucked up and found two pair for 28 bucks but I would also rather deal with him. I should be getting those switchbacks ordered Monday! Now if I can find SRCK For my tail/brake light I'd have all LED lights

 

[DFWWIZ]

I lucked up and found two pair for 28 bucks but I would also rather deal with him. I should be getting those switchbacks ordered Monday! Now if I can find SRCK For my tail/brake light I'd have all LED lights

I have them...just got some (10) in on Monday from a Calif vendor to try out and now I'm having my factory make a bunch for me. These will be good IMO.
Ebay link: 2X 15W 3157 3156 Samsung 2323 High Power LED SMD New Design White Non Polarity | eBay

 

[PapaBear229]

I have them...just got some (10) in on Monday from a Calif vendor to try out and now I'm having my factory make a bunch for me. These will be good IMO.
Ebay link: 2X 15W 3157 3156 Samsung 2323 High Power LED SMD New Design White Non Polarity | eBay

Ahh, I know were my next 30 bucks is going. I swear the list never ends. sadly my wallet does. Very quickly.

 

[NT1078]

13 bulb units?? Engrish prease

SMD was the term I was reaching for.
These are the ones I bought, very cheap for the pair, maybe a waste of $, but worth a try!

3156 3157 Pure White 13 SMD 5050 Stop Tail Brake Turn 13 LED Car Light Bulb Lamp | eBay

 

[DFWWIZ]

Ahh, I know were my next 30 bucks is going. I swear the list never ends. sadly my wallet does. Very quickly.

I have these right now for $26/pair but will even be cheaper once I get them from my factory direct. More like $22/pair.

 

[DFWWIZ]

SMD was the term I was reaching for.
These are the ones I bought, very cheap for the pair, maybe a waste of $, but worth a try!

3156 3157 Pure White 13 SMD 5050 Stop Tail Brake Turn 13 LED Car Light Bulb Lamp | eBay

Surface Mount Diode as opposed to Light Emitting Diode which everyone keeps referring to both as LED.