1157 to 3157 Taillight Bulb Conversion
#1
1157 to 3157 Taillight Bulb Conversion
I did not want to muck up Bandit's thread but saw some questions about the socket conversion on my Cherokee. The benefit is a better bulb and socket and a dedicated ground wire for the bulb rather than relying on a screw or bolt through the housing and into the sheet metal. Here is a pictorial thread on how I did it since taillight housings will be different but most should be able to make it work with a little hack-fab. There is a comparison to my 2500HD and eventually I will do the same for the reverse light.
#3
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
Great idea and thanks for sharing! I'd suggest using a step-bit in the future instead of a large twist. Step bits remain piloted at all times and tend not to grab and thread the sheetmetal up the flute.
What diameter hole did you have to drill to accept those sockets? Did you cut some notches or something so they can be turned and locked into place?
What diameter hole did you have to drill to accept those sockets? Did you cut some notches or something so they can be turned and locked into place?
#4
Clint, in this case I was lucky, the 3157 was a press fit in the original large hole that remained after grinding out the flashing.
'SS, the 1157 socket was similar to the reverse light, one big assembly and appeared to be pressed in place from two sides to create a crimped connection, I only used the big bit to break the edge so I could knock it out. The remainder was ground out to the diameter of the large hole cast into the housing.
Edit, now that I think about it, the housing may be plastic and the reason I didn't want to knock the socket out.
'SS, the 1157 socket was similar to the reverse light, one big assembly and appeared to be pressed in place from two sides to create a crimped connection, I only used the big bit to break the edge so I could knock it out. The remainder was ground out to the diameter of the large hole cast into the housing.
Edit, now that I think about it, the housing may be plastic and the reason I didn't want to knock the socket out.
Last edited by 243; 08-23-2018 at 09:57 PM.