It's really dark up here in VT in the winter and my backup lights just aren't bright enough. I have seen a halogen bulb replacement for an 1157 socket, but does anyone know if there is a higher wattage bulb that will plug in to the stock (7440?)socket?

Thanks!
Carl

 

Yes, there are several places that sell LED replacement bulbs. You can do a search for them on google.

If you have alot of extra money, I have also seen an HID reverse light kit before, but I know even less about how to get a hold of that.

 

yup, their is a H.I.D reverse light kit that umnitza sells. it is really bright, and i plan to install it in my tC. it cost 250, and comes with a switch so you can switch it on and off, also cool if someone is following you, hit the swtich and they will be blinded. heres the link http://www.umnitza.com/product_info....f6d399ed45f647

 

I thought about LEDs - I know they are "blue-r" but are they actually brighter in terms of throwing a beam? I'd like to hear from someone who put 'em in.

Re: HID backup lights...if I had the money for HID's I think I'd be sticking them in the FRONT!

 

Those would be nice if they were a bit cheaper. An old trick we used to do on the 4x4 for running trails at night was to use the Halogen bulb & paint the inside of the housing behind the lens with the "Krylon Chrome" spray paint, really brightened things up

 

You could paint the reflector chrome. Right now it's sort of a dull silver inside, like the paint you see on a lot of laptops or other plastics.

 

Also, be advised that the super-white backup lights are not necessarily brighter than the stock clear ones. I have them and they certainly look cool, but they don't illuminate all that well.

 

Yes, the LED reverse lights are brighter as well as whiter. We aren't talking headlight bright, but the LED reverse lights are brighter. I ran them in my GTI and rear visibility was great.

Another option for you is a re-mounted fog light. I have seen people put them in the reflector areas on tail lights before. Then you can mount fog lights with actual halogen bulbs back there.

 

The reverse lights on the TYC tails are much brighter than the stock xB tails. They have the chrome reflective inner housing, and a clear lens (not foggy white)

And as said before, you could put some aftermarket fogs under your rear bumper and switch 'em on when you need extra light.

Peace

-THE DON

 

The rear-mounted fog lights are a good idea, I was simply suggesting mounting them in the tail light housings somehow for a stealth look.

 

Thanks to everyone for your great suggestions. I was looking for more of a "stealth" look than bumper mounted fog lights (although they would certainly light up the night!). I also thought about carving up the housing and hacking in a couple of H3 halogen bulbs, but those things get HOT really fast and I don't want the housing to melt / catch fire. Unless someone has been successful in doing the halogen hack, I think I'll try the LED route. I found these "bulbs" for $9 bucks each from these guys:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...gi?product=CAR

Scroll down to just above the bottom of the page for the 7440 replacement.

 

Another LED suggestion is to fill the reflector section of the tail lights with them. LEDs don't get hot at all.

Digi-Key is a great source for high output LEDs if you want to make something to fit in your reflector part of your tails.

 

so for that led replacement bulb, does it just pop in the stock bulbs place..plug and play? or do you need some kind of adapter?

 

hey i also got another dumb question...for the xb dome light?..is there a direct replacement led that i can buy..if so does anyone have a website? thanks

 

try superbrightleds.com

 

i suggest the PolarG 7440 wedge bulbs.. they're super white! they're halogens and i have them on my tC reverse lights... really bright too... they only thing is that they kinda look blue when they're not on.. other than that.. i suggest these lights

 

^ i had those in my TYCs.... bright as well you know BRIGHT!!

 

We make an HID bulb that can fit into your backup lights... LOL... it will be brighter than most people's headlights... but it costs $290
JL

 

my led tails pretty bright.....

 

$4 xenon bulbs from wal-mart. i got tired of my yellow stock ones, so i thought i'd give these a try. i also have the xenon bulbs in my license plate lights.