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Can the stock xB backup lights be brighter?

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Old 12-12-2005, 01:47 AM
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Default Can the stock xB backup lights be brighter?

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
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Old 12-12-2005, 01:50 AM
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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.
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Old 12-12-2005, 02:01 AM
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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
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Old 12-12-2005, 02:02 AM
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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!
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Old 12-12-2005, 05:01 AM
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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
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Old 12-12-2005, 07:22 AM
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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.
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Old 12-12-2005, 07:23 AM
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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.
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Old 12-12-2005, 01:24 PM
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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.
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Old 12-12-2005, 02:55 PM
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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
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Old 12-12-2005, 04:03 PM
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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.
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Old 12-12-2005, 05:20 PM
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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.
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Old 12-12-2005, 09:25 PM
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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.
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Old 12-15-2005, 05:15 AM
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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?
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Old 12-15-2005, 05:17 AM
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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
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Old 12-15-2005, 07:37 AM
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try superbrightleds.com
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Old 12-15-2005, 10:01 AM
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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
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Old 12-15-2005, 10:24 AM
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^ i had those in my TYCs.... bright as well you know BRIGHT!!
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Old 12-21-2005, 06:45 AM
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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
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Old 12-22-2005, 12:27 AM
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my led tails pretty bright.....
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Old 12-24-2005, 03:19 AM
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$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.
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