I bought six halogen bulbs to fit the taillights on my 66 122. So each side will have one halogen 1157 and two halogen 1156's. These are the ones from IPD.

Before installing them, I am checking with you guys to see if anybody has done this. I'd like to be sure I won't be melting the lenses.

Hi there.

I visited the IPD website and if this

http://www.ipdusa.com/version.asp?strPageHistory=search&numSearchStartRecord=1&P_ID=6187&CAT_ID=0&V_ID=16816

is what you are refering to then I don't think that you will melt the lenses - they are specifically designed for the intended application. The wattage is the same as the bulbs they replace.

Greig

An alternative to the 1157 bulbs is to install 2057 bulbs. I have had no problems over the years .

Has anyone got long term knowledge of how these halogens cope with switching on and off i.e. brake and indicator filaments? They run at high temps and possibly don't take kindly to this treatment. Service life?

Amazon rear lights need all the help they can get. I'm running Philips uprated bulbs here in the UK combined with chrome tape on the reflectors. Improvement is considerable at very little cost.

I have these halogen bulbs in the rear of my 122. I don't know how long they'll last, but the ones I'm using are those ipd received for testing a few months before offering them for sale several years ago... I've been using them for 6 or 7 years, I think. No problems thus far.

Unless ipd is now selling different bulbs for the reverse lights than what we received initially, those won't work - they're physically too tall. But bright brakelights are, I think, more important than bright reverse lights.

Best,

Cameron
Rose City

thanks all.

I've redone the left one with aluminum foil stuck on the reflector, with the bulbs pinning it in place. In the backup socket I had to put on one of the wire ends like Ron's site shows...not having the correct dealie, I crimped on a different kind, cut off the end, and left a flat drop of solder hanging, which acts as a contact for the bulb. Big improvement, even before changing to the halogen bulbs. Next is the right side.

You can make "new" contacts out of the working part of a Pop rivit, steel or stainless.

Clever idea, pop rivets. I have some. I will keep it in mind when I do the other light.

Rick;

The waste heat produced is a function of wattage, and as the halogens linked at IPD are the same wattage as those they are replacing, I expect no issues with additional or higher heat from them. Halogens are better in that they burn whiter and are a longer lasting than incandescents.

Derek;

If "uprated" means a higher wattage, then you need to be concerned about possibly damaging the lens with the additional heat, not to mention that this will likely further shorten a Pressure Sensing Brake Light Switch's life (if that's what you still have installed). Improving the reflector is certainly always a good idea to make the best use of the light from lamp, and as you know, in addition to making the reflector truly reflective, there are a number of electrical improvements to optimize light output from the lamp.

See: http://www.sw-em.com/Amazon_Rear_Light_Fixture_Restoration.htm

Cheers

Ron

Not higher wattage but a faster and better light. Philips ones from here.
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/Upgrade-Brake-and-Tail-rear-foglight-and-reversing-bulbs/ 380's and 382's

Lots of bulbs front and rear that give a higher output than the standard halogens are listed.

Some of the ultra white zenon headlight bulbs etc appear to give more light until you get behind the wheel. You can then see that they are worse than "normal" and moderate "blue" upgrades.