Forum Discussion

TECMike's avatar
TECMike
Explorer
May 05, 2013

LED Taillight Bulbs - 2002 Ford Superduty

When taillights go out on an older tow vehicle such as our 2002 SuperDuty, are folks switching over to LED taillight bulbs?

If so, are they OK with OE flashers to keep the same OE flashing rate speed?

Finally, for those who have switched over, which supplier did you use? Thanks in advance.
Tow Vehicles
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    May 06, 2013
    Just putting LED bulbs in the old housing never gives very good results and can be dangerous because the brake lights are especially weak. You can however buy whole new tali light housings with LED technology incorporated. Look for the ones that are DOT approved - the look the most "factory".
  • carringb's avatar
    carringb
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    ScottG wrote:
    Just putting LED bulbs in the old housing never gives very good results and can be dangerous because the brake lights are especially weak. You can however buy whole new tali light housings with LED technology incorporated. Look for the ones that are DOT approved - the look the most "factory".


    ^This^

    Full replacements are the only way to get LEDs that are bright and have the proper pattern like the stock bulbs.
  • Perrysburg_Dodg's avatar
    Perrysburg_Dodg
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    The issue is not that the LED's are not as bright as incandescent. The issue is the reflectors as set up for incandescent lamps. Incandescent bulbs give off light in all directions allowing the reflectors to spreed the light across the whole tail light area.

    The LED bulb does not give off light in the same way so the light does not get to all the reflectors and looks like they are not as bright.

    So yes if you want LED's you need to buy the tail lamps designed for LED's. Here are some


    Don
  • Jayco23FB's avatar
    Jayco23FB
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    Using LEDs in place of OEM bulbs may require the use of a LED flasher. LED lights do not use enough current to trip a standard flaser. Also when using a LED flasher the standard flasher sound we are used to (blink - blink - blink) of the flasher may be replaced with an electronic sound more like a beep, depending on the manufacturer.
  • whjco's avatar
    whjco
    Explorer
    May 06, 2013
    ScottG wrote:
    Just putting LED bulbs in the old housing never gives very good results and can be dangerous because the brake lights are especially weak. You can however buy whole new tali light housings with LED technology incorporated. Look for the ones that are DOT approved - the look the most "factory".


    Good advice! I tried the LED replacement bulbs in my Excursion and immediately took them back out because they didn't work with the lens in the taillight and were unsafe. A full LED taillight assembly is the only way to go.

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