My brake lights aren’t bright enough

[Slipping727]

I would hold off on LEDs until you fix the cause.
I had dim brake lights on my '70 plymouth.
Turned out to be a weak connection in the turn signal switch. I then cleaned all connections and grounds.
Works perfect now.

 

[mopar jack]

I installed this type bulb from Sylvania in my road runner and cuda. I highly recommend them and be sure to purchase the correct bulb, red for brakes/turn and amber for running/turn lights.

 

[retractable]

I have Super Bright led and like them. I am using the led in the rear only on my 64 Fury. Super Bright has a resistor you can install in line and the original flasher will work. Make sure the led bulb has a very good ground for it to work proper. Super Bright has good customer service too.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

BTW, on this specs chart they say Color temp 630nm? That’s the wavelength, not the color temp!!

630nm is red(ish) wavelength

 

[Kern Dog]

All these years I’ve had the car, I’ve never seen my own taillights. I am on a trip and was told yesterday that my brake lights seemed dim.
My other Charger is absolutely dim but I havent gone through the car yet.
I’m not against the LED stuff. It is worth considering.
Everything works, it just isn’t bright. I do wonder if our standards have changed with how bright new cars are.

 

[Kern Dog]

I installed this type bulb from Sylvania in my road runner and cuda. I highly recommend them and be sure to purchase the correct bulb, red for brakes/turn and amber for running/turn lights.

View attachment 1845406

With these old cars, the taillights are so small, one or two bulbs serve all functions. Running lights, stop and turn.

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

BTW, on this specs chart they say Color temp 630nm? That’s the wavelength, not the color temp!!

630nm is red(ish) wavelength

Wow, a red bulb has a reddish wavelength? Absolutely mind boggling!!!!!

 

[Cheapsunglasses]

May also want to take your lenses and housings apart and clean them…..how does the misses feel about parts in the dishwasher

 

[toolmanmike]

I thought that they were okay but then again, I’m never following my own car.

View attachment 1845323

The 1969-70 Chargers had tucked in lenses that look dark until they are lit up. My taillights seem bright enough here:

View attachment 1845324

It seems like the brake lights should be about twice as bright as the taillights but for me, that isn’t the case. Are LEDs the only way to improve this?

What do the insides of your taillight housings look like? Mopar just painted them silver. Not very reflective really. I wonder if anyone has done any reflective coating and then tested the brightness. @Slantsixdan is the expert on this. Let's invite him to the conversation.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Wow, a red bulb has a reddish wavelength? Absolutely mind boggling!!!!!

LOL..

I MEANT… the specs posted by seller… is not color temperature like stated.

 

[Nacho-RT74]

What do the insides of your taillight housings look like? Mopar just painted them silver. Not very reflective really. I wonder if anyone has done any reflective coating and then tested the brightness. @Slantsixdan is the expert on this. Let's invite him to the conversation.

View attachment 1845428

Not just Mopar… all manufacturers!

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Now we have modern solutions, like the “Easy chrome” paint kit… paints chromed. Will reflect more for sure

 

[themechanic]

See my post #3 @Kern Dog

Led tail light bulbs 67 Gtx

Looking for a recommendations on Proper LED taillight bulbs for 67 Gtx complete Resto but idiots nearly run into me at turns need leds that are super bright straight to the rear ! Hellpp

www.forbbodiesonly.com

 

[twecomm]

For what ever it's worth.... When I first got my Charger in 2010 I thought the tail lights were not a bright as they should be. I removed the lenses to replace the old bulbs with equivalent ones. I could not not believe how much surface dirt was on the reflective coated tail lamp buckets as well as insides of the red lenses. I removed them all, scrubbed them in the wash tub with detergent. They cleaned up nicely.. It made a big difference.

 

[RemCharger]

For what ever it's worth.... When I first got my Charger in 2010 I thought the tail lights were not a bright as they should be. I removed the lenses to replace the old bulbs with equivalent ones. I could not not believe how much surface dirt was on the reflective coated tail lamp buckets as well as insides of the red lenses. I removed them all, scrubbed them in the wash tub with detergent. They cleaned up nicely.. It made a big difference.

There is also a resistance wire in the trunk. To dim them down

 

[OneWheelPeel]

There is also a resistance wire in the trunk. To dim them down

How would I identify this wire? Might be worth a bypass?

 

[RemCharger]

How would I identify this wire? Might be worth a bypass?

It runs along the tail light harness where the jack goes. Has a single connector on each end. Kind of a shunt wire

 

[OneWheelPeel]

Thanks I'll try to find it.

 

[RemCharger]

Thanks I'll try to find it.

Sorry I was referencing 66/67 Chargers.. not sure about others

 

[OneWheelPeel]

Sorry I was referencing 66/67 Chargers.. not sure about others

I'll still look, but I was thinking I recently re-sheathed the wire back there and didn't see anything that matched your description.