Led License Plate Illumination

[AMCJeepMJ]

So, the license plate lights on our Escape both went out within a week of each other a few weeks back and we replaced them with LED wedge bulbs, which produce a nice clear, crisp, white light with a very slight blue tint.

 

As I am pleased with the light produced I want to replace the 194 wedge bulbs on my MJ's factory bumper with LEDs. As the bulbs used on the Escape are physically larger than the usual 2825 or whatever size bulb they take, I have concerns with similar bulbs fitting in the factory bumper of the MJ since the space is so limited... I don't want to smash the LEDs against the housing.

 

Any thoughts on an LED bulb that has similar dimensions to and will work in place of a 194 wedge? Has anyone on here made a similar change to their plate bulbs? I could not find anything in the DIY or projects section on this, only for B-pillar lights [which I already have on the way].

[nhrocker]

I'm not sure about bulb replacements, but what about just replacing the whole light? I picked up a cheap pair of LED license plate lights for my rig, but I'll be building a whole new bumper that they'll be mounted on. I don't see why you couldn't modify where the stock lights are to mount some of these.

 

Where I ordered mine:

http://www.delcity.net/store/LED-License-Plate-Lamp/p_798175

[dave92cherokee]

http://autolumination.com/194.htm

 

There's another link that has alot of different kinds of bulbs and various colors too

[mnkyboy]

I used these on mine, they replace the license plate bolts. They work good and cost about $8.

[HOrnbrod]

Getting back to your original question:

 

I use THESE and they fit the stock bumper housings okay.

[cruiser54]

I don't want anyone seeing my license number too clearly!!!

[gogmorgo]

I don't want anyone seeing my license number too clearly!!!

That's what snow's for. You can pretend it was an accident ;)

[cruiser54]

That's what snow's for. You can pretend it was an accident ;)

 

I wanna see. That's why I have the 795 reverse light bulbs and the 90/100 H4s out front with a supplemental harness. Only people who ever seem interested in my license plate cause me grief.

[gogmorgo]

Yeah, I hear you. I meant you can claim the snow piled on the bumper in front of the plate is there by accident. That way, Officer Popo will just get you to brush it off.

[AMCJeepMJ]

Okay, so I found some smaller LED bulbs online that weren't crazy expensive and they arrived this week, installed today. Results below; they are plenty bright:

 

[HOrnbrod]

Okay, so I found some smaller LED bulbs online that weren't crazy expensive and they arrived this week, installed today. Results below; they are plenty bright:

 

Crazy expensive?  $4.95?  Which ones did you get?

[AMCJeepMJ]

It was an eight-pack of LED bulbs for $5.99 [and free shipping] off of ebay that are very similar in appearance to your linked bulb above.

 

$5 for a single wedge bulb is overpriced IMO.

[HOrnbrod]

"very similar". Been there to save a buck. Let me know long they last. 

[AMCJeepMJ]

"very similar". Been there to save a buck. Let me know long they last. 

I too have doubts about their longevity, but with eight of them it should be a lifetime supply.

[HOrnbrod]

Good point. 

 

 

"very similar". Been there to save a buck. Let me know long they last. 

I too have doubts about their longevity, but with eight of them it should be a lifetime supply.

Good point.  :thumbsup:

[johnj92131]

 

"very similar". Been there to save a buck. Let me know long they last. 

I too have doubts about their longevity, but with eight of them it should be a lifetime supply.

 

Yes, but how many times do you want to do the job over and over again.  Buy quality, do it right the first time.  Not saying you get more for a higher price, but sometime it just pays to do it right the first time.

[AMCJeepMJ]

 

 

"very similar". Been there to save a buck. Let me know long they last. 

I too have doubts about their longevity, but with eight of them it should be a lifetime supply.

 

Yes, but how many times do you want to do the job over and over again.  Buy quality, do it right the first time.  Not saying you get more for a higher price, but sometime it just pays to do it right the first time.

I guess it remains to be seen how long they last before worrying about doing the job over and over again. If they never fail then there is no problem; if they do fail I have spares. The number of seconds it takes to change a plate bulb in a factory bumper can be counted on fingers and toes... very easy.

[AMCJeepMJ]

As a brief update after 11 months, I have not yet had an LED license plate bulb fail.

 

These are the ones I picked up off of Amazon as shown above. Only $0.99 +$2.00 shipping as of this post.

[64 Cheyenne]

I worry about paying $4.99 for the same bulb that the other guy paid $5.99 and got 8 of.
Thing is, most of them are made in China, can you show me the $4.99 bulb that is made in the USA?

This one http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/miniature-wedge-base/194-led-bulb-1-smd-led-wedge-base/204/ ?

 

[HOrnbrod]

Who knows where they are made. But I did just order Oceanic's 194 LEDs from Amazon. What I have noticed in the past with the cheaper versions of these is that the leads that wrap around the glass base are too thin to make good contact with the socket pins. We'll see............

[HOrnbrod]

It was an eight-pack of LED bulbs for $5.99 [and free shipping] off of ebay that are very similar in appearance to your linked bulb above.

 

$5 for a single wedge bulb is overpriced IMO.

 

I got some of these and installed two as marker lamps up front. They work great, are brighter than the more expensive ones, and the price as you said is great. Made in China with Mandarin writing all over the package. Let's see now how long they last. Thanks for the tip.  :cheers: