More light on 88-98 Tails! Looks like 03+ Tails!

[88GMCtruck]

Change this :(
Brake lights
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119194.jpg

Parking lights
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119193.jpg

To This :D
Brake lights
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119201.jpg

Parking lights
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119200.jpg

I have always wondered why the upper bulb in the 88-98 tailights will only light up the parking circuit. :think: The bulb is the same dual element bulb as the lower bulb. So I took the time to wire the Brake/Turnsignal element in. I also added two 194 style lights on the top and bottom to mock the 03+ taillights.

Tools:
wire
wiring connectors
12V voltage test light
solder gun
drill and bits
light socket
light bulb
screwdriver(s)
Dremel tool or files
Silicone

First go to your truck and remove the two screws and take the lights out.
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119195.jpg

If you want to add the extra bulbs to mock the 03+ tails, get the number and style of light sockets you want. I used two of each (four total) of the black twist in gauge cluster light sockets. They are in-expensive, and have a very silm design.
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119197.jpg

Then decide on the location of your new lights, mark and drill the proper hole. Be careful NOT to add too much pressure and crack the plastic, or to go through the outside lense. Then take a dremel or files and make the small side indents for the twist in connector (if that style was used). ALSO NOTE: The area near the backuplight has very little clearance, and i had to grind a small amount off the stock circuit board to make it fit.
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119196.jpg

Now for the fun part. :smokin: Take your circuit board. Use a test light to find the Parking and the Brake/Turn circuit. Run a wire from the Brake/Turn circut to the upper bulb in the circuit board. Figure out which connector is the second "bright" element of the bulb. I soldered mine directily to the bulb.
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119198.jpg

Then drill a hole for the wires for the new lights. Solder one to the Brake.Turn circuit, and the other wire to the Parking light circuit. Take something (silicone) and seal up the hole you drilled.
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119199.jpg

Plug the circuit board in and make shure everything lights up. Repeat to opposite side. Now take and install the circuit board and lights into the assembly, plug it in and turn it on. Go out and enjoy your new tails! Now you have 2x the light for parking lights, and 2x the light for the brakes lights. Great saftey mod that also looks cool! If you added the two new bulbs, they will even flash like the 03 tails!

Finished Photos

Brake Lights
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119203.jpg

Parking lights
http://chevytruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/88GMCtruck/119202.jpg

Questions?!

[Jimmy P]

very cool...something i may do to my ss because i tinted the tails :rocking: nice how to!

[CKTA]

Looks good.:D

[Joe]

Nice write up :D

[88GMCtruck]

Thanks everyone, i love how they light up the whole taillight at night, not just parts of it. Next step is the front parking lights!

[GMC HD 4x4]

nice job :D

[BigChevMan]

cool mod..anyone want to trade a pair of apcs for a set of stock lenses?

[88GMCtruck]

If you want a set of stock ones, you can usually pick up a pair on ebay for under $40. :D

[Cracker]

Originally posted by 88GMCtruck
If you added the two new bulbs, they will even flash like the 03 tails!



I would have thought that your signals would now flash fast, is this not the case?

[88GMCtruck]

If anything they would flash slower. The lights just add more load to the flasher, so they are in no way going to flash faster. :D

[1996Silverado]

nice job, always wondered about that myself, looks like a weekend project is coming up.

what cha gonna do to the front lights?

[88GMCtruck]

Not shure if I will be doing anyything to the front lights. YET

[dfarr]

Just did the mod, looks great although the circut panel/bulbs are quite different for the latter models. I was concerned that the 194 bulbs would touch the inside of the lens, so I just ended up siliconing the sockets in, if the lights live for a couple years before changing I'll be happy. Cheers

[88GMCtruck]

If you can post some pict! I'd love to see how they turned out!

[anoved]

After reading your article here I tried this on my truck too. Great idea!

I noticed the same thing as dfarr, in my '92 a different kind of bulb is used (can't remember the # or type, but its got four narrow wire contacts embedded in base of the bulb). It was hard to fit it back in the socket with my ghetto splice attached, but I managed. I stuck some waterproof putty over everything too cause I don't trust my soldering skills.

I've got a pic of the circuit boards here: http://bingweb.binghamton.edu/~jdevona0/vehicles/mods/dualtail.html Don't have any pics of them in action but I suppose I can get some.

Thanks for the idea!

[dfarr]

I didn't solder anything I just cleaned out some of the grease in the socket and stuffed a wire lead down the contact simple but effective.

[88GMCtruck]

Glad you are all figuring it out and liking the results!

[lowdown]

I know what I'll be doing tomorrow :D

[88GMCtruck]

Did anyone notice that everyone with stepsides are doing this mod!? :whatever:

[dfarr]

mine is a fleetside

[88GMCtruck]

Ahh well there is one to three :D

[Green95Hoe]

Will I be the first to do it in a Tahoe?. Dam I wish I found this yesterday so I had something to do today. Rained all day and I stayed in listing crap on E-bay


BTW: 88, have you had any long term problems with the added bulbs melting the plastic? I was thinking about this with the limited clearance in the front corner upper area. I was even considering an LED bulb that doesnt heat up

[88GMCtruck]

No Problems :D I have ran these for over a year, and the smaller 194 bulbs are touching the outter plastic, no problems at all.

Yes you would be the first tahoe!

[Tasty]

Can't you just buy some LEDs to stick in there and get brighter results. You wouldn't get the corner effect, but I would have thought that someone made leds to solve the one candle power that Chevy so graciously gave us. Great mod!

[Tasty]

I tried this on my '95 today, and all I succeeded in doing was blowing out my parking lamp fuse three times. Off to the auto parts store! If anyone knows how to do this on a '95 style circuit board without soldering and melting the sockets let me know. I would like to do the mod, but still be able to change the bulbs out. Looks like DFARR might have a solution...

[88GMCtruck]

If your blowing the fuse your shorted out somewhere or the fuse is too small.....

I didn't go with LEDS because of the lack of funds and i wanted to be different from everyone else.

[TINY'S97]

great mod been checking it out for a while trying to decide I think on my 97 I will just put a twist lock 194 at the top and tap into the brake turn wire on the harness and see how it does thought about the front signals too but not much working room it looks like to get even a 194 twist lock in place much less room for a bulb in the lens housing

[Tasty]

Sweet! I decided to try it again today, and I got the wiring figured out. All I need to do now is solder everthing in place and take it out on the road. I will post some pics of my completed version.

[1badgmc]

That is very cool. If for some reason I ever go back to stock lights on the Yukon, I'll definitely have to do this! :cool:

[Tasty]

Here's one of my completed victims. I had to re-solder today because he came loose while driving. Still like the results though, even if I do have to chase after em to keep em goin.

[88GMCtruck]

Looks awsome!!!!! Glad some people are doing this mod!

[yt500pmd]

this is a quick COOL mod. I just finished. I didnt add the lower 194 but i added the upper. what a difference. i will try to get a pic of mine next to the father-in-laws side by side for anyone who doubts the coolness of this.

[ArrivalSS]

Looks good. I like the way it put out more light at the back for safety. May have to try that.

[yt500pmd]

http://home.comcast.net/~juan.padilla/truck_99.JPG
http://home.comcast.net/~juan.padilla/TRUCK_100.JPG
:FSCrules:

[Yukoneer]

hmm, i'll have to do this mod sometime soon!

88gmc - where did u get the chrome insert for your grille?

[88GMCtruck]

It isn't a insert, it's a fully chromed grille.

Here is how you do it.
http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=101356&page=1&pp=15

[Yukoneer]

hmm thanks! now i hope my grille has chrome behind it

[Yukoneer]

where's the best place for testing it?

[Stocklook]

OK guy's, Newbie here. I asked this question on another forum, and not much responce, but why do you want to do it, nobody will notice it.

I think diff,

I have an 04 ECSB Silverado LS Fleet bed, and was looking at my tail lights and it seems like you have blown bulbs in the middle, my question is can you put a 3157,4157 bulb in it and make it a running / turn, have all four on like the Avalanche, cady, and Dodge.

[88GMCtruck]

you can do something like that with custom wiring!

[yt500pmd]

i really dont care if someone notices the tail light mod. the reason i did this mod was because i have been rear ended before, and i figure a little brighter brake lights might make a difference for someones reaction time. especially during the day. i also drive with my hitch in the receiver, just in case. I was thinking of making the top bulb a brake light also.

[Tasty]

Hitch in the receiver. Nice. Hey tiny car, bite off a chunk if you want some. My mother in law got rear ended in her Explorer and her receiver was the thing that saved her probably a grand in bumper damage. Also, I did this mod but the wires kept coming loose where I soldered them so I finally decided to quit chasing the ghost in the machine and just let it go back to stock. :(

[88GMCtruck]

I keep a hitch in my recever also. The more protection the better.

As for the lights, I have had a few people notice them (when they flash mostly) and ask if they are stock. I think it's a cool mod, not only does it make your truck safer (both night and day) it sets it apart from the rest.

[yt500pmd]

i cut some of the plastic off the circuitboard so the wire/solder could make more contact and not come loose.

[badass83sierra]

not bad...but i SUCK at elec. work....

[yt500pmd]

bust out that soldering iron and try it!!

[1998chevy1500]

I did just what you posted except that I did not do the lower side bulb as I could not make it fit and did not feel like grinding a lot.

This is just with the tail lights, no brake pics as I had no one to press the pedal at the time.
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/2/web/350000-350999/350798_65_full.jpg

It looks good. Thankx to 88GMCtruck for the discovery and write up.

[MSF]

Thank you 88GMCTruck!
http://www.MyOnlineImages.com/Members/mikesofunny/images/brakelight1.JPG

[9chevy4]

hells yeah this is exactly what i need. I have tinted taillights and i think that if i could get more light through , i will be better off. Just sucks that i suck at electrical ****.

[Pyrite Z]

nice write up now you got me thinkin about doin this mod to mine... I'm currently using leds which I had to take apart and rewire! in mine and the extra load will help with that annoying fast flash.
and I have modded my factory lenses so the top is clear red now and I think it will look pretty cool too..
I am also considering putting a set of the smaller bulbs into my upper clear corners to match the lowers. I never could understand why GM didn't put bulbs in them???lol

[maroonsilverado]

looks like a pretty cool mod. never noticed this one before. think i'll give it a shot

[SuPeR WoJo]

Does anyone know if there's a way to do this without soldering the wire directly to the bulb? It's a great idea, I just would like to be able to replace my bulbs easily when they burn out. If someone finds a way, please post some pics. thanks.

[TimR]

Well the mod that keeps on giving!! I just did my 97 RCSB, and although I did not add any more lights, I only modded the existing upper bulb to show signal and brake lights. The difference is quite amazing really. I soldered one wire to the board, then simply stuffed the loose end of the wire down into the slot where the contact **would** be for the bulb had the factory put it there. Works great! Only problem is, the ground needs to be added too, so I did a small solder trace on the bulb from one contact to the other across the top, just under where the glass starts.

These are the new style 3057 bulbs with the four pins, I think that makes it easier than the old style.

One thing to watch out for (at least on my style anyway)....look at the sockets where the wire comes out...they are round with the two opposite sides cut off, you want the wire to exit there as the bulb cutouts are round and it will just pass through the little extra in the tailight lens hole. If you go straight out, it will catch the taillight bulb opening and pull out/cut the wire and/or prevent the seal from seating.

The big question is, why didn't GM do this light setup right away???

Great mod, thanks for sharing!
:cheer:

later
Tim

[red02chevy]

worked good on my truck

[soon2b_bagged]

Not sure if anyone will respond since the last time this thread was posted on was months ago, but... Everyone is talking about putting there stock taillights back on to do this mod, why couldn't you do it on aftermarket taillights? It would still be different, especially if someone had the same AFTERMARKET taillights as you, yours would be different cuz they have this mod... Just a thought, I'm thinking about doing it to my APC tails...

[TimR]

Well you certianly could, in my case just wanted the extra light without being obvious. I don't think anyone would even notice they are there but my wife followed me part way home last night and she commented on how much more bright they are.

I can't figure out why GM didn't do this right from stock....

later
Tim

[88GMCtruck]

I did this on my IPCW euro tails, i made the upper bulb work with both elements, and wired a bulb into the top reflector. They were tons brighter (the euro lights don't light up as well as the stockers.) I quit using them because they fog up alot in WA, and I kept getting mud in them. The stock lights work better for me anyway. It's definatly doable.

[Z71OffRoad]

I have the wedge style base bulbs and am having problems getting the bulb to light up. How did you guys get the wires to touch the bulb? Also does anyone have pictures of the drivers side circuit board? Any tips are greatly appreciated.

[6.5diesel300mi+]

Just the look I was looking for. I was like :wtf: when I had the taillight apart to change the bulbs. Why wouldn't Chev have done it this way originally? Oh well, this is a mod is just asking for it - had to be done. I want it for safety and it does look better.

Just did the jumpers to the other filament in the top bulb for now. will have 194 lampholders on order in a couple days. They're $3 each.

Anyone have good luck with APC 12 LED cluster replacements which glow red for the 3057s ? I'm thinking of going for them for the $32 total.

sorry Z71OffRoad I had that pic ready to post to my website and 'pfff' they just disappeared from my clipboard in transit. of course i had already deleted off the cam and now the lights are back on the truck and it's late. I'll pull them and take another snap next chance i get.


BTW everyone. IE sucks - Firefox (http://www.spreadfirefox.com/?q=affiliates&amp;id=0&amp;t=58"><img border="0" alt="Get Firefox!" title="Get Firefox!") rules. http://sfx-images.mozilla.org/affiliates/Buttons/180x60/get.gif

[toryu]

did it on my truck this weekend, im going to add the upper bulb later, but yesterday i justshoved some wires down into the harness on the lower bulb and ran them up the the upper one, and wow what a difference, cant wait to get the upper bulb in there, thanks 88 sweet mod

[nebraskaz71]

Anyone had any probs with blown bulbs, blown fusese or melted houses? If not would anyone thats really good at this be willing to mod a set of circuits that i have just for the dual bulbs no 194s . thanks

[TIMSPEED]

Sorry to be stupid...
but what about those of us with 95-99 Circuit Boards, that use the wedge bulbs? (3057)

[TenBetter]

Also wondering about us with the 3057 bulb? Anybody do it yet?
-Steve

[TimR]

Anyone had any probs with blown bulbs, blown fusese or melted houses? If not would anyone thats really good at this be willing to mod a set of circuits that i have just for the dual bulbs no 194s . thanks

Nope, been almost a year now, no issues at all. I did not do the 194's.

And for the others, I do have a 97 so used the 3057 bulbs with no issues. Wishing I had taken pics now. maybe I'll pop on off if I get some time and do that for ya...

later
Tim

[k1500Z71]

I just did this to my 91 w/ 3057 bulbs, works great, I only put the 194's at the top though, not a fan of the lower one

[TenBetter]

Some pics would be very helpful!
Thanks,
-Steve

[89SWB]

Can anyone post more information on the correct lampholders to get? I have been to Advance Autoparts, Autozone and O'Reilly's and not finding this 194 part.

Mentioned earlier the lampholders should be about $3 apiece - can anyone else confirm?

Thanks!

[andrewlcraft]

I just did this to my 91 w/ 3057 bulbs, works great, I only put the 194's at the top though, not a fan of the lower one
I did it this weekend with 3057's, just didn't add any 194's. Works great!
And I've gotta say, I'm a noob on this forum and to these trucks in general, and the knowledge I've gained here is awesome! Keep up the good work!

[89SWB]

This is a great mod! Did this over the weekend - but my panel looked a little different than earlier pictures. Here is a picture and notes for anyone performing this mod with the 3157 bulbs. The 3157 bulbs have four wires stuck into a glass base - a power and ground for each circuit (parking lamp and brake)

5681

First, there must be a better way to take these bulbs out of the sockets! I had to gently break off one of the retaining tabs to wiggle each light out of its socket. Unlike the twist-out lights, there did not appear to be a good way to solder the jump wire from the brake line. I ended up using my solder gun to melt a small hole where the pin comes in from the connector (red circle in picture). Using a solid wire pushed through the hole and some solder, got a good connection that held firm. The solid wire (in this example, black) was then run up to the top socket, folded over and fit into the lower left slot in the socket.

To jump into the top light socket, you need to jump the ground line on the lower right portion of the socket (parking lamp) up to the top right section. I used 16ga stranded wire (red) and doubled it over to make sure I got a good fit when inserting the bulb.

The second light went a lot faster than the first after all the experimenting!

The mod definitely looks better and provides all the safety benefits mentioned earlier. I am going to look at adding a 3157 to the top section of each lamp housing to fully illuminate both brake and parking lights. Blew my parking lamp fuse while messing around with the tail lamps, so off to the auto store for another batch.

Anyone that has not performed this mod should seriously consider. Only took a little bit of time, a few inches of wire and a bit of solder (plus - in my case - a LOT of patience!).

[JasonJ]

I did this one today and I am glad that I did.

I added the brake light to the top bulb and added the 194 bulb to the very top of the lens.

Hole cut for the extra bulb
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1311066.jpg

Soldering the extra 194 bulb to the circuit board
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1327438.jpg

Grounding out the two filiments on the light bulb.
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1335179.jpg

Finished modifications with the brake lights on
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1913227.jpg

Running lights only
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1940414.jpg

[98GrnEcSb]

I did this one today and I am glad that I did.

I added the brake light to the top bulb and added the 194 bulb to the very top of the lens.

Hole cut for the extra bulb
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1311066.jpg

Soldering the extra 194 bulb to the circuit board
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1327438.jpg

Grounding out the two filiments on the light bulb.
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1335179.jpg

Finished modifications with the brake lights on
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1913227.jpg

Running lights only
http://www.jasonjenkins.com/gallery/albums/2006_0527/2006_0527_1940414.jpg

Cool lights Jason! Did you have any problems reinstalling the board after(wires, etc.)

[89SWB]

Jason - nice work jumping the ground wires on the bulb. I didn't think that through as well, put a short jumper on the right side of the socket to ground out both areas. I want to add in a dual-filament for the top of the taillights to illuminate at parking and brake, going to pull mine out and use your method. :thumbup:

[layinlow_11]

I did this mod about a year ago, and today I undid this mod because both my housings melted. The socket for the bulb that you attach the jumper wire to melted and barely holds the bulb now. I have an 88 so the bulbs are the 1157's like in the first post. This was a cool mod, but not worth the melted light plates that are $25 a piece new. I do still have the extra bulb drilled into the tailight, that is fine after a year. So I'm just posting my findings after a year, not to say this is a bad mod, just beware.

[88GMCtruck]

Mine were on the truck for about 3 years, and I had the 1157 style (twist in). I am in a much colder climate and never had a problem with melting, however my boards rusted out and I replaced them with the new 3157 style (push in). My new style is simiar to the one above, but I still have the lower 194 bulb.

[layinlow_11]

I don't know why they did it, it could be the bulbs get hot plus the 110 degree outside temp, lol.

[odenthall1]

can anyone post pics with the 3057 bulbs.. I dont want to screw this up

[d_johnsen]

would it be possible to get another set of circuit boards that match your current ones, and take the lower socket area out of them and swap it with the upper socket on your current boards? there is enough junkyard taillights perhaps ill try this see if it can be done would make changing bulbs alot easier.

[Menard666]

Not sure if anyone is still doing this mod. I just did it to my truck with 3057/3157 bulbs.

For the drivers side board in regards to the top bulb, the solder goes to the bottom and the wire from the signal/brake circuit goes to the top right spot of the top socket.

For the passanger side board in regards tot the top bulb, the solder goes to the top, and the wire from the signal/brake circuit goes to the bottom left spot of the top socket.

I had some trouble with the drivers side so thought I'd add that incase someone had the same problem as me.

[Phat96]

Great mod.

[AcrophobicChevy]

i did something like that...i might do it again soon though

[Phat96]

would it be possible to get another set of circuit boards that match your current ones, and take the lower socket area out of them and swap it with the upper socket on your current boards? there is enough junkyard taillights perhaps ill try this see if it can be done would make changing bulbs alot easier.

No the circut isn't on the board so you have to run the wire.

[JokerRacing]

im not getting the step by step pictures all i am getting is red X's in the pics place

[88GMCtruck]

Fixed

[JokerRacing]

thanks makes a lot more sense to me now that i can see it

[JGresko]

I am going to try and do this tomorrow, i removed my one circuit board and it is totally differant then yours. Mine is a 88 but I have the push in flat bulbs and the circuits on the board are under plastic. I I traced the circuits to figure out which ones to splice, Now I just need to be sure I can jam some wires in to the light sockets.

[96thebossgrnchv]

pretty slick, now all you need is the 03+ tail lamps
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/zo6vtt/my%20truck/IMG_2165.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/zo6vtt/my%20truck/IMG_2186.jpg

[JGresko]

pretty slick, now all you need is the 03+ tail lamps
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/zo6vtt/my%20truck/IMG_2165.jpg
http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e63/zo6vtt/my%20truck/IMG_2186.jpg

NIce truck,but I never really liked the +03 tail look, I like the smooth look of the OBS

[93Sierra]

It looks great =] You did the write up very well.