Brake light bulbs Mk 2 Stag

[GregT]

I've ordered new bulbs - and will order LEDs from Rimmer when I have the time to upgrade - but delivery will be a few days. Can anyone tell me what I should be looking for in Halfords to replace one of my brake lights to tie me over for a couple of days? Their instore and on line search tool doesn't recognise 1976 cars and the staff haven't got a clue.... Anyone bought any from Halfords and can tell me the part number or whatever I need to look for, please?
The Rimmer description doesn't help narrow things down 12V 21/5W Clear BA15d - GLB380 - Lucas

Thanks!

Greg

[APS]

hi Greg. you have all the information you need to get the right bulbs, unbelievable that Halfords are unable to help.

This part should do you for now

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs/380-p21%2F5w-car-bulb-plus25-percent-longer-life-halfords-twin-pack-717540.html

Most on here have used Classiccarleds.co.uk for updateing their cars lights to LEDs. They do kits specifically for the stag.
btw I have no connection to them, just my personal recommendation.

[GregT]

Cheers! That will do it. I haven't taken the bulb out yet so that may have helped with a visit but as with just looking in line the staff basically took the view that they don't know because the computer says 'no.... And I had no physical or even a print out to calibrate against the stock.

I bought LEDs from Classic Car LEDs for my dashboard fairly recently - excellent. in addition to replacing the dash itself with a lovely new veneer, the brighter dials are a revelation and I am delighted with the difference it made. Thanks for the recommendation though. I was out in the car yesterday and someone pulled alongside at a junction and told me one of the brake lights wasn't working (nice of him). I need to use the car tomorrow ideally and clearly don't want to risk only having one brake light working, so even the order to Rimmer was just to get me by for a bit until I can do the LEDs. I understand that fitting the LED bulbs in the rear clusters require a resistor to be inserted in the wiring, which for a ham fisted amateur like me will take a bit more time to do than replacing a traditional bulb, hence my immediate preference.

Thanks again!

Greg

[APS]

Happy to be of help. No resistors in my led rear lights. Brake lights, side lights and reversing lights all LEDs, nice and bright and no resistors to be found, apart from the inherent resistance in 50 year old wiring

[GregT]

That's interesting - Rimmer's site is ambiguous - the pages regarding the rear light cluster and the subsequent links to the bulbs themselves shows that for the indicator bulbs and resistor needs to be fitted
Bulb LED Load Resistor - GLB382LEDRES and advises: This resistor simulates the current draw from a standard (non LED) flasher bulb and enables the flasher unit to operate correctly.

My mechanic friend agreed this is necessary though maybe he's just followed that instruction when ordering from Rimmer and not checked what happens if he doesn't. I thought at first, for the indicators it may be because of the on-off sequence that the resistor is necessary. I asked Rimmer customer service three questions;

1. If I replace the brake bulbs with LED lamps, do I need the Load Resistors? Their answer YES
2. If I replace the brake lamps, should I simultaneously replace the indicator and Reversing lamps? Or does it not matter? Answer This does not have to be done (I reckoned the Brake lights being the most important to be bright and clear, so could avoid spending additional money for the indicators and reversing lamps. I am not being cheap, it's not the cost it's more if it's worth spending tens of pounds instead of a quid or two?)
3. I f I do replace the indicator lamps will I need Load Resistors for a ’76 Stag MkII? Answer Yes you will

It's only the need to fit the resistors that stops me buying LEDs now and just replacing ther old bulbs. Your experience is encouraging. If its a straight swap then I can do that in half an hour! (Even me!)


Note - only just realised that the brake light is also the Rear light.


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[Philip Wardle]

Just a thought - would you still need a load resistor if you replace the original indicataor / hazard flashers with a solid-state version?

[APS]

oops sorry I forgot to mention the indicator bulbs too. yes they are LEDs and are far superior to the old halogen ones. But I think I remember having to replace the flasher unit under the dash to an electronic one.... also sold by classic car LEDs. Far easier to do than faff about with resistors. I had to replace the hazard flasher too.

[Philip Wardle]

But I think I remember having to replace the flasher unit under the dash to an electronic one.... also sold by classic car LEDs. Far easier to do than faff about with resistors. I had to replace the hazard flasher too.

I already switched to the electronic flashers to achieve accurate regulation of the flash speed with conventional bulbs, good to know the electronic ones will accomodate LEDs if OI change later - thanks.

[GregT]

I looked at their online catalogue and for some reason there are no entries for Triumph - jumps from Toyota to TVR - asked for their part number and price for a full kit. Assuming that will have all I'd need - Not too keen on anything that requires messing under the dashboard - A good man knows his limitations, as Clint Eastwood once said... But I could get someone to do it if its necessary.

[APS]

https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/products/triumph-stag-mkii-led-bulb-upgrade-kits

it's very easy to change the flasher unit, just two wires and they are spade connectors, so very simple to do.

[richardthestag]

Good Lord, having seen the prices I can confirm that I shall remain 4 lumens darker luddite but a fair few bob better off

Maybe I am missing the point and cannot see the upgrade over clean reflectors, covers and incandescent bulbs which might cost me £20 for a complete set.

Or is it a shiny thing, thing!

[trunt]

Good Lord, having seen the prices I can confirm that I shall remain 4 lumens darker luddite but a fair few bob better off

Maybe I am missing the point and cannot see the upgrade over clean reflectors, covers and incandescent bulbs which might cost me £20 for a complete set.

Or is it a shiny thing, thing!

I went with the classic car leds stop/tail lights which are undoubtedly better at night even if your reflectors etc. are OK, but not the turn signals, couldn't see the point nobody over here uses the things anyway!
I also used led on the cluster turn bulbs, but not the rest, they are fine..

[APS]

I rarely drive my Stag at night, but find the brightness of LEDs is a huge improvement especially in bright sunlight if we ever get some. Like to think cars behind can see when I am braking.
The green LEDs in the instruments look great imho, possibly a bling thing, but I can at least see how fast I should not be going 🙄

[stagx790]

No one has mentioned that stags are fitted with a dimmer unit in the boot wiring to reduce the watt output of rear bulbs causing glare. If you look around the left hand side wheel arch in the boot the unit has wires going in and out. This is activated when you switch on the side lights. Deactivate this and rear lights become brighter at night. One way is to bypass unit joining wires in and out same colour using lunas/lucar connectors.

[mole42]

No one has mentioned that stags are fitted with a dimmer unit in the boot wiring to reduce the watt output of rear bulbs causing glare. If you look around the left hand side wheel arch in the boot the unit has wires going in and out. This is activated when you switch on the side lights. Deactivate this and rear lights become brighter at night. One way is to bypass unit joining wires in and out same colour using lunas/lucar connectors.

It’s even easier to pull off the black wire so the night dimming relay doesn’t energise.