First stop on the installation...
First stop on the installation highway is getting rid of the old lights. We took out the bulbs, unscrewed the retaining nuts, and removed the passenger-side taillight.
This is the retrofit kit we...
This is the retrofit kit we ordered for our project Camaro (PN 500870, $209). It includes all the parts needed to tap into an existing wiring harness, and has the LED boards for our RS taillights.
Back in the '60s when our classic rides were originally assembled, the technologies of the day were considered state-of-the-art. Unfortunately, what was the latest and greatest back then is nearly archaic by today's standards. One such example is the brake light system. Today's cars are moving away from incandescent bulbs and toward superior LED lighting systems.
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are found in everything from watches to computers. Recently, they've also started replacing traditional bulbs in newer vehicles. Why? They're brighter, draw less current, and light up faster than incandescent bulbs. Best of all, since they don't have a filament to burn out, they also last a lot longer and don't get especially hot. With people driving faster and chatting on their cell phones, you want to make sure they notice when you hit the brakes. Upgrading your taillights to a brighter LED system is one way to snap a lazy driver out of his stupor and grab his attention.
We thought we'd try American Autowire's (AAW) new system on our '68 Camaro project car (Bad Penny), and compare it to the stock stuff. Hey, if it keeps some yahoo from slamming into the back of your ride, it's worth checking into.
Stuff You'll Need:
* Ratchet and standard sockets
* Screwdriver set
* Wire crimping tool
* Wire cutters
* Razor blade
* Drill
* 7/32-inch drill bit
The rear housing is held in...
The rear housing is held in place by six Phillips head screws. We removed these to separate the housings.
To ensure that the RS board...
To ensure that the RS board sits flat, it's necessary to cut and remove the section of gasket that runs vertically, dividing the two lamp sections.
Grab the board marked "passenger,"...
Grab the board marked "passenger," and set it in the rear housing with the leads feeding through the lamp socket hole.
With the hole drilled, secure...
With the hole drilled, secure the board to the rear housing using the supplied pushpins.
Here's the final product with...
Here's the final product with the rear housing installed and the supplied grommets in place.
With the passenger- and driver-side...
With the passenger- and driver-side lights assembled and installed, it's time to wire them.
You can see the intensity...
You can see the intensity difference between the stock incandescent bulb (left) and the new AAW LED lighting system (right), and can easily tell that the LED lights come on faster than the old bulbs.