'56 - Upgraded to Electronic Flasher and LED parking, brake and flasher bulbs

[SoCa56TB]

On my '56, I have been concerned, for safety, with how faint the oem bulbs appear for the brake lights, parking lights and turn signal flashing lights, especially during the day. The lights are so dim, and hard to notice in bright light and direct sun light. So, this past weekend I upgraded the mechanical flasher to an Electronic flasher replacement (purchased on Amazon), to run the desired 1157 replacement LED bulbs (all AUXITO brand, purchased on Amazon). It all works perfectly. They are easily 300%-400% brighter than original bulbs, as advertised. Huge safety improvement. And the bulbs I selected fit and have a shape almost identical in appearance behind the lenses to the OEM, as direct replacements.

I initially looked at the led brake light upgrade conversions from thunderbird part specialty sources, including Concours (no '56, only '57 available @ $255), Casco (55, 56, 57 available, 56 is $189), Larrys (56 is $384), and the front parking light conversion kits. And I initially bought the front parking light conversion kit from Casco ($68.95), and after getting it and seeing it, and further researching current led conversion options, decided not use it, and am returning it. Nothing against the product (and Casco is great), but after further researching led conversion options, I have found much more economical options, and which I think are superior, and more OEM looking swap upgrades. After reading about others looking at LED bulb conversion options, and flasher upgrade options, I found that the newer generation readily available LED 1157 replacement bulbs and electronic flasher modules (from Amazon) are superior options, and significantly less expensive than from thunderbird part specialty sources -- making these now good options (versus options maybe 4-10 years ago). TOTAL COST LESS THAN $40 + tax, with free shipping. Front LED 1157 replacement bulbs set of two cost me $15.98 minus additional 15% off click coupon (AUXITO 1157 LED Bulb White), rear LED 1157 replacement bulbs set of two cost me $17.99 minus additional 10% off click coupon (AUXITO Upgraded 1157 LED Bulb RED - yes, RED), and electronic flasher upgrade replacement cost $11.99 (CEC Industries EF32RL Flasher). Not affiliated with any products, do not receive any commissions - this is just what I decided to use based on my researching options.

In case this will help others, this is what I did ...

First, the flasher upgrade replacement. After disconnecting my battery (I use a quick connect on the terminal, for ease), I easily located the mechanical flasher up under the dash, adjacent to the hood release lever. It is pushed/inserted into a metal base bracket - it comes out simply by carefully wiggling and pulling it out (i.e., not held by screws, just tension). I did not disconnect it yet, just let it hang. Next, for use in grounding the electronic flasher unit wire, I loosened, a few turns, the screw that secures the flasher base bracket. I slid under the screw head the grounding wire of the electronic flasher unit, and re-tightened the screw for the flasher base bracket, so the new flasher hangs. Next I swapped, one by one, the two wires from the original mechanical flasher to the new electronic flasher, preserving the same orientation. Because these flashers are basically like a little computer, they are polarity dependent - that means keeping the wiring the same. If any issue with function, you might have reversed the wires, so try swapping the wires. One reason I chose the particular electronic flasher is that it is in a round housing, like the original, but is a larger diameter. I was able, with pliers, to force and bend open the base bracket, to expand to opening enough that I was able to force the end of the new electronic flasher into the original base bracket, versus needing to mount or secure it in a position different from oem. Next, reconnected battery, turned on ACC, turned on and tested parking and headlights, and turn signals. All worked perfectly with oem bulbs. It flashes a bit more abruptly and cleaner like a newer car does instead of the old lumbering fade on and fade off that incandescent turn signals do with mechanical flasher. Very happy with the conversion. This flasher allowed me to next change out exterior bulbs with LED units, and allows them to flash correctly without hyperflash, etc.

Second, the front parking/turn signal lights led upgrade replacement. Simple as removing three screws for each front parking light unit. Swapped out oem bulbs to new LED 1157 replacement bulbs. Selected these particular bulbs as they look almost eom, in shape, size and are an enclosed/covered unit, unlike other or earlier generation bulbs, and the tbird kit ones, that have the led pucks exposed. I first tried with only replacing one bulb (LH side), to see and compare against OEM bulb on RH side. These are easily 300%-400% brighter than original bulbs, as advertised. Huge safety improvement. And the bulbs fit and have a shape almost identical to the OEM, behind the clear lens. Be aware that they are a bright white, where original OEM bulbs output a more yellow/amber glow and look. So with the clear front lenses (versus colored lens) on the TBirds, if you prefer to keep the yellow/amber look, go for the amber bulb version over these white bulbs. I like the bright white bulbs that will match the light output color of the (new) upgraded OEM replica headlights (with Ford lettering) that I also installed. Tested, and worked perfectly as parking lights, and flasher turn signals.

Third, the rear brake/parking/turn signal lights led upgrade replacement. Simple as removing tree screws for each rear brake lens light unit. Again, I first tried with only replacing one bulb (LH side), to see and compare against OEM bulb on RH side. These are easily 300%-400% brighter than original bulbs, as advertised. Noticeably brighter, as parking lights, brake lights and turn signals. Huge safety improvement. And the bulbs fit and have a shape almost identical to the OEM, behind the lens. While it sounds counter-intuitive, I read from some manufacturer recommendations to use red led bulbs behind red lenses, even though a white led might have more lumens and one would think it would be brighter -- that is not the case. The red leds are much brighter behind a red lens. I tested this -- for comparison, I had bought both clear led and red led versions of the bulb, to compare behind the red plastic lens. After comparing against the oem bulb, I then had the white led behind the LH lens, and put in a red led behind the RH lens. The red led bulb was significantly brighter as parking lights, brake lights and turn signals. Returning the white led bulbs.

[MarkR]

Thanks for posting your findings. Good information.
I changed my tail lights to LED on my 12v 55 and made up a loom for emergency flashers on just the tail lights after being stranded one night on a busy dark boulevard here due to a failed fuel pump. I used red bulbs off Amazon. Big difference.

I remember reading the results of a study done on reflectivity for underwater night time diving lights. They found that if the reflector was painted white it was something like 60% brighter than a shiny metal surface such as aluminum or stainless. I don’t remember if they mentioned whether LED or incandescent bulbs were used. I know some classic car owners that do paint the tail light dish white.

[Rusty57]

I have used the white paint trick on multiple classic reflectors. It is definitely an improvement and way cheaper that replating the older classic silver plate ones.

[ward 57]

Who would have thought that a white reflector was better than a shiny/chrome reflector? A lesson for all the old cars you see at shows and even the brake lights are really dim. I used aluminum foil front & back and just that made a big difference, enough that I don't think I have to paint them. Did paint my license plate reflector and yah, it's really bright.

[SoCa56TB]

Update ... taking option and experience posted from another forum member on another tbird forum, I looked for alternative front "switchable" led bulbs to try, that come on white and switch to amber for turn signals/flashers. I wasn't aware of those until his post, that he had used those. There don't seem to be many choices for Switchable led bulbs that are ideal, as the few options I found most tend to be too long and/or have various color bodies/housings, like blue and black, etc, that one would see through the front clear lens. I found one with a white body, clear light at the top, and amber and white pucks along the side. They are a bit longer than the ones I initially used and not the oem bulb shape like the ones I had used, but best switchable leds I located. I installed them, and they just manage to fit behind the lens. With the electronic flasher I had installed, they work well without need for adding a separate resister, and with the led upgrades, continue to now have the amber turn signals with my preferred white parking lights. This is what I found and am now using for the parking lights/flashers/brakes ...

Front led Switchable 1157 replacement bulbs (set 2): $13.99 minus 5% off coupon (GLL 1157 BAY15D 5730 20 SMD Amber/White Switchback Turn Signal LED Light Bulbs 3.8W 12V LED Super Bright 600 Lumens 6000-6500K Brake Light Lamp) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D2WKM1O/?t ... rdforum-20

Rear led 1157 replacement bulbs (set 2): $17.99 minus additional 10% off click coupon (AUXITO Upgraded 1157 LED Bulb RED) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLTSYTN3?ta ... rdforum-20

Flasher: CEC Industries EF32RL Flasher: $11.99 (CEC Industries EF32RL Flasher) https://www.amazon.com/CEC-Industries-E ... rdforum-20