Spyder headlamps.....my take on 'em...and LIGHTING in general

deejaaa said:

here's a condensed version:
GM didn't do it but YOU can.

Requires no soldering iron. In 30 mins all four taillight bulbs will light up with brakes/turns.

This were done on a '92, 88-89's have different bulbs (circular base) than '90-98 trucks so same procedure, but will need a test light to find proper contacts.

Remove taillights, unplug 'em, remove circuit boards. Use 5" small strand of wire, strip ends to 1cm of bare wire per end. Below are instructions for INDIVIDUAL CIRCUIT BOARDS.

DRIVER SIDE:

Remove both running bulbs (can remove reverse bulb if wanted, but it won't be modified), diagram's below.

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It is pretty straightforward what's needed. For middle bulb (between top, reverse bulbs) place wire (or thread it through "contact rod") to stay in place as bulb is installed. Bulb can be facing either direction, as long as bare wire end is in correct place. Install bulb with bare end of wire touching/threaded through BOTTOM-RIGHT contact.

Top bulb is written "BRIDGE" for ground contacts. Circuit board does not have ground for "High filament", so take a SMALL strand of bare wire (1cm at most, don't want to touch another contact) thread through "contact rods" on ground end of bulb by wrapping it around base. This is NECESSARY. Carefully install "High filament" wire in designated spot, install bulb.

With both bulbs installed, plug in circuit board, hit brakes to test. Both bulbs should light. If nothing happens, 15 amp fuse was popped. If only middle bulb lights, something's wired wrong, or wire/ground slipped off contacts. Re-apply and try again. Here's how tails should look:

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PASSENGER SIDE:

Same as above, but contact points are a bit different. Pay CLOSE attention to diagram below:

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When you're done, it should look like this:

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Here are both bulbs lit up for brakes on driver side.

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That's it.

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df2x4 said:

Hey Bill, saw you talking about potentially switching to LEDs in the factory brake lights. There's a couple things to consider there. First, due to the design of the circuit board, you'll need special bulbs for the middle sockets. They're called SRCK LEDs. Otherwise you'll have issues with turn signal function, etc. Aftermarket housings without the circuit boards like my Anzos don't have this issue, but the factory ones do.

Second, you'll be giving up your truck's ability to let you know when a turn signal bulb is burnt out via the "hyperflash," because you'll need a replacement EP29 flasher relay to keep the LEDs from hyperflashing all the time.

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shovelbill said:

i should have thought about finding bulb holders for those Airport 35's BEFORE pulling the trigger on the set.....LOL. they about as rare as hens' teeth.

Daniel Stern word from lat night's e-mail
"...this bulb holder can no longer be had. Not for love, not
for money. They are *gone-gone-gone*. I wish it weren't so,
but it is."

i really like him and his dry humor way....called the Spyders "trinkets or toys"......LOL. but he did speak at length about optics, both lamps and eyeballs.......anyway, i'm hoping to get another reply about other matters too......all this started with a magazine article about him back 3+ decades ago.....i think it was in Four Wheeler that i was first introduced to him s a lighting authority....and a mechanic friend had me upgrading the harness in suit....

Jackson, the guy i've bought some of the Cibie pieces from is helping me....great guy to talk to. i've enjoyed our messages and 2 great phone conversations today......he told me that the "American Cibie collective" is a small group....and i'm part of it now...as i've spoke to some people he's been dealing with since the '70's.......LMAO!

i consider myself lucky to be able to learn from these veterans.

off to the eye doctor....later

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drewcrew said:

Hey Bill, I was looking on e-bay at Chevrolet Tahoe's and there is a 1995 Tahoe listed with a real strange headlight set-up. It says in the ad it has a LandRover conversion. Thought you might be interested in seeing it. Hope things went well at the Doc's.

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