LED 1156 fittment issue and fix - reverse light upgrade

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thenextdon13
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I am merely driving my van
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LED 1156 fittment issue and fix - reverse light upgrade

Post by thenextdon13 »

Hello,
I thought I would share my experience here.

I had a burned out reverse light, and when i went looking to replace it i noticed the ?philips? LED options at the local store.
When attempting to install the one of these LED bulb, i twisted the base off of the first one by accident trying to turn it into place after it being fully depressed into the socket.
Looking at the design of the LED bulb, it stuck out too wide and interfered with the socket before the keys would allow it to turn.

Then i realized that with the stock 1156 rating of `27 watts, could probably try to find a much brighter than stock LED, and keep stock appearance while getting better lighting for backing up in the forest / etc at night.

I was putting in a rock auto order anyway, looked for the high power 1156 LED options they had available. At the time, the only option was the dorman 1156WHP - but from images the design looked like it may not have the same interference problem as the philips bulb.

The 1156WHP claims to be 720 lumens, while a standard incandescent is supposedly ~400.

When i tried installing the first one of those, i thought i was being careful- but apparently not enough - because i once again twisted the base off of the bulb. Got it warrantied by rockauto.

Then used a rasp/file to hog out the entry of the socket a little bit, allowing the bulbs to compress all of the way to seat.
Works now- sorry, no before/after lighting pictures.



Here are some pics
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Herbie
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Re: LED 1156 fittment issue and fix - reverse light upgrade

Post by Herbie »

I'm intrigued, but pictures no worky! :/
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Topic author
thenextdon13
I am merely driving my van
I am merely driving my van
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Re: LED 1156 fittment issue and fix - reverse light upgrade

Post by thenextdon13 »

Sorry about that; I used Google links and messed them up- will attempt to fix.

Topic author
thenextdon13
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Re: LED 1156 fittment issue and fix - reverse light upgrade

Post by thenextdon13 »

Couldn't find an 'edit post' link.. oddly.. so here are the pics
IMG_20200822_100033936.jpg
IMG_20200822_100052015_HDR.jpg
IMG_20200822_100120320_HDR.jpg
IMG_20200822_100326380.jpg
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MountainManJoe
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Re: LED 1156 fittment issue and fix - reverse light upgrade

Post by MountainManJoe »

Thank you. How does the light from it look?

I notice that the LED is side-firing. Is there a reflector to guide the light straight out?

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Re: LED 1156 fittment issue and fix - reverse light upgrade

Post by Astrophysics »

Hi All,

I have read some test reviews which indicate the LED in OEM backup light fixture does not really put out much more lumens than the original filament bulb.

The real benefit is to update the interior dome lights with LEDs.

For super back up lights, I think auxiliary LED fixtures below the bumper could be a better way to go.

AP

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Re: LED 1156 fittment issue and fix - reverse light upgrade

Post by Bret Schmerker »

:fball: For my M11006, I'm actually seeking an elevator upgrade for the stock reverse positions: 12 VDC / 5max W, (PA)R-12 replacement (rather than an omnidirectional S-8 replacement such as thenextdon13 used), BA15s base. SuperBrightLEDs.com has T-envelope LED microtowers for fallback in case the stock Guide/GM luminaire refuses to let the (PA)R-12 key in.
1997 GMC M11006 (Safari SLE, 2WD, V6-4300/4L60-E/7.625" 3.73:1 open)
Acquired Jul 2018 / In service Sep 2018 - Nov 2022 / down due leaky valve(s) #5 cyl.
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