Sequential Tail Lights Incandescent
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 958
From: Santa Monica, Calif.
I have had both versions.
Incandescent version worked fine, but was hot and a bit of a pain to install, compared to the led version. As far as the heat warning on the 3-bulb version goes, heat wasn't really a problem. I have orig stock lenses. I sat on the brake pedal in bumper to bumper in blazing So Cal heat for hours many times in the 3 years I used the lights and they never warped the lenses. Perhaps warping/melting is possible with aftermarket lenses, but I checked mine constantly in the beginning because of the warning, and the heat was never that bad.
Over a long time, I could see the wiring where it connects to the reflector breaking down from years of heat, but it would take a lot more heat to ever melt the lenses. I thought of drilling holes in the Scott Drake relector to allow more heat to escape, but it was never really necessary.
I've had the led ones for a year or so now, and they are better. You use the stock reflector, and just plug in the lights with one socket as if they were bulbs. You have to remove the reflector once to plug in the light and that's it. Installation took about 10 min. The leds are bright and look great. There are no heat issues.
CP
Incandescent version worked fine, but was hot and a bit of a pain to install, compared to the led version. As far as the heat warning on the 3-bulb version goes, heat wasn't really a problem. I have orig stock lenses. I sat on the brake pedal in bumper to bumper in blazing So Cal heat for hours many times in the 3 years I used the lights and they never warped the lenses. Perhaps warping/melting is possible with aftermarket lenses, but I checked mine constantly in the beginning because of the warning, and the heat was never that bad.
Over a long time, I could see the wiring where it connects to the reflector breaking down from years of heat, but it would take a lot more heat to ever melt the lenses. I thought of drilling holes in the Scott Drake relector to allow more heat to escape, but it was never really necessary.
I've had the led ones for a year or so now, and they are better. You use the stock reflector, and just plug in the lights with one socket as if they were bulbs. You have to remove the reflector once to plug in the light and that's it. Installation took about 10 min. The leds are bright and look great. There are no heat issues.
CP
Last edited by Carlos Pineiro; Sep 13, 2009 at 05:26 PM.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 261
From: GA
I was unaware that the kit would not work with the LED 1157 bulbs...but then again, I bought my kit before any of the LED bulbs or conversions were on the market (which would explain the absence in the instructions). I got my kit shortly after they hit the market...one of the original sequential conversion kits. They function just like the OEM lights...the only difference is that there are 6 bulbs instead of 2 and they sequence.
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,462
From: Texas
I was unaware that the kit would not work with the LED 1157 bulbs...but then again, I bought my kit before any of the LED bulbs or conversions were on the market (which would explain the absence in the instructions). I got my kit shortly after they hit the market...one of the original sequential conversion kits. They function just like the OEM lights...the only difference is that there are 6 bulbs instead of 2 and they sequence.
Thats why I want them, because they look factory. The LED ones just don't quite look factory. At least to me.
I got Scott Drake to email me the PDF file for the instructions to see what all was involved with installing them, and it says to only use regular 1157 bulbs.
Last edited by tx65coupe; Sep 13, 2009 at 09:54 PM.
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,462
From: Texas
I have had both versions.
Incandescent version worked fine, but was hot and a bit of a pain to install, compared to the led version. As far as the heat warning on the 3-bulb version goes, heat wasn't really a problem. I have orig stock lenses. I sat on the brake pedal in bumper to bumper in blazing So Cal heat for hours many times in the 3 years I used the lights and they never warped the lenses. Perhaps warping/melting is possible with aftermarket lenses, but I checked mine constantly in the beginning because of the warning, and the heat was never that bad.
Over a long time, I could see the wiring where it connects to the reflector breaking down from years of heat, but it would take a lot more heat to ever melt the lenses. I thought of drilling holes in the Scott Drake relector to allow more heat to escape, but it was never really necessary.
I've had the led ones for a year or so now, and they are better. You use the stock reflector, and just plug in the lights with one socket as if they were bulbs. You have to remove the reflector once to plug in the light and that's it. Installation took about 10 min. The leds are bright and look great. There are no heat issues.
CP
Incandescent version worked fine, but was hot and a bit of a pain to install, compared to the led version. As far as the heat warning on the 3-bulb version goes, heat wasn't really a problem. I have orig stock lenses. I sat on the brake pedal in bumper to bumper in blazing So Cal heat for hours many times in the 3 years I used the lights and they never warped the lenses. Perhaps warping/melting is possible with aftermarket lenses, but I checked mine constantly in the beginning because of the warning, and the heat was never that bad.
Over a long time, I could see the wiring where it connects to the reflector breaking down from years of heat, but it would take a lot more heat to ever melt the lenses. I thought of drilling holes in the Scott Drake relector to allow more heat to escape, but it was never really necessary.
I've had the led ones for a year or so now, and they are better. You use the stock reflector, and just plug in the lights with one socket as if they were bulbs. You have to remove the reflector once to plug in the light and that's it. Installation took about 10 min. The leds are bright and look great. There are no heat issues.
CP
Last edited by tx65coupe; Sep 14, 2009 at 10:18 PM.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,990
From: San Diego, CA
Ask MP how much more it would be to get an LED setup that does what YOU want, then you get the best of both worlds, as long as its not too expensive...
I don't know if it will be as easy to install though
I don't know if it will be as easy to install though
Thread Starter
5th Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,462
From: Texas
I have decided to get the Scott Drake incandescant setup. I just don't think the LED look goes with my car. I'll probably order them this week.
Should I order the tail light housing to body pads / gaskets?
Should I order the tail light housing to body pads / gaskets?
Last edited by tx65coupe; Sep 14, 2009 at 10:08 PM.
1st Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 145
From: Ohio
I would order the new gaskets. Whenever I have taken the lights off of of my car, the old gaskets were usually messed up and for the cost of the new ones I would think you'd be better off.
By the way, do you mind telling me the price of the incandescent kit?
By the way, do you mind telling me the price of the incandescent kit?
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 479
From: Western KY
The old dynamite sticks work OK "provided" you use the correct flasher, its a special HD one that will handle the extra load and keep in time, however this will vary with the voltage. This is the most common error people make when replacing the flasher, its just the wrong one. Their sequence of flash was very original to the "day" and the light will "flow" across. I also have a SS unit with filiment bulbs that works very well in the 67. No LED's for me.