Defend your Classic with Brighter Brake Lights

[@1qazandrew333]

Just got my first classic mini... there is a cornucopia of amazing info you're sharing here! Thank you!

[@stevejohnson8157]

Will order some today ! Another upgrade is a central stop lamp high up . The last mpi had them . I think it's easy to forget how small the mini is . So any upgrade is welcome. Have a great Xmas

[@rvatto7144]

These videos make my day. Thank you Ladds!!!

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Glad to hear it! Have a great weekend :)

[@thebluep0tat0]

Well that is a huge difference...now I need to get a set.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

And it's even more apparent in person!

[@randolfdelpilar8724]

The signal lights are better as well. Great job guys, finding this little details that are very important.

[@onboro_alfa_SGL]

Agree! Brighter tails and brake lamps are important and effective to protect small/low old cars and ourselves from huge modern cars.

[@bradcomis1066]

I was just thinking about brighter tail lights yesterday and now today this video shows up! Time to check out the product page at SMC

[@singlendhot8628]

Really recommend the Rover high mounted third stop light (period genuine accessory) in addition to these LEDS. This will increase visibility.

[@michaelp0819]

I always enjoy your videos. I am the owner of two 2006 MINIs which I love. But, I have a soft spot for the classic Minis.

[@craiglemon5026]

They look brilliant! Literally! 💥

[@trollbunny]

Nice to see yall are still having fun during the pandemic! Stay safe

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Thanks, you too! Take care

[@sawyerbush9581]

Could you guys do a video on driving/rally lights? e.g. your preferred rally lights for classic minis and how to install and aim them and all that

[@mike444c3]

Any safety upgrade is always a great idea in a mini! The difference is literally night and day!

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Totally agree!

[@travelingkaspersworld4096]

These videos are always a treat. Thanks Have a super weekend!

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Thanks, you too!

[@SmugwoodMini]

Of all the mods you can do to a mini...I think this is one of the more important ones. That must definitely make a huge difference in low light.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Totally agree with you there. It's a small investment with potentially life saving benefits.

[@SmallBlogV8]

Regarding safety, with Minis being quite low and everyone else driving giant SUVs now it might be worth offering a 'CHMSL' that sits at the top of the rear window (or similar) so people can still see you braking from up high. Especially if the LED tail lights look like brake lights anyway now.

[@renovatio324]

I need to get a set of these, and I don’t even own a classic mini

[@peterallen544]

They look great fellahs... when the travel between US and Can I am going to be up there to get front and rear lights, cup holder, and more... hope you are all doing well. Thanks for the great content.

[@hosrow]

Another great video. I will get these and the blinker lights. Thx.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Glad you enjoyed it, and great!!

[@avivscrewvalla]

This is an amazing product that solves an issue commonly faced. Why not sell a kit that replaces every bulb with a factory colour correct LED, as an option? And perhaps a 3rd high mount stop lamp closest to the Rover unit that was offered? There is no one easy way to purchase either today, so a relatively low hanging fruit for SMOCO

[@ravisidhu1667]

I enjoyed this practical video

[@MonFuerte]

my Dream Car... I hope I can get that someday..

[@C.I...]

Are they dim enough to not dazzle drivers following behind? As in: dimmer than a fog light? Also, without a third brake light to confirm, might it look like you're braking when you pull up next to a regular mini when you're actually not?

[@bradcomis1066]

Considering 95% of other drivers are in SUVs sitting three feet above your tail lights I wouldn’t worry about it. The only people you might dazzle are other people driving old cars (like me haha). I can’t imagine these will be worse than the tail lights you see on modern vehicles now. The tail lights on new Mercedes and such are sooo bright it is wild.

[@searaydrivingguy]

I have an 1987 austin mini black real nice shape, looking for a wood wheel and fog lights i am in Vancouver also

[@andyfry1970]

They certainly are a brighter light. And the fact that the mini is so small against modern cars will help. Question... What are the arches on the mini with the standard lights?

[@markschraider]

Looks great guys, thanks for the vid ! 😀 Do you change the relay for LED indicator bulbs ?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Cheers. Yes we usually change the relay. Whether it needs an electronic flasher or not depends on the resistance of the circuit, which can vary from car to car.

[@hosrow]

@@Stevestonmotorco I know nothing about car electrics. How would I find out what relay I need to change? Is that for the blinker?

[@timsminigarage]

@@hosrow the blinker flasher unit is as easy to swap as a light bulb, it just plugs in. Many LED globes will make the blinkers flash really fast, so you swap to an LED compatible flasher unit

[@hosrow]

@@timsminigarage thank you so much. How do I find a LED compatible flasher? Do you have a part number or brand you could recommend?

[@timsminigarage]

@@hosrow if you can remove it and take it to your local parts shop they should be able to find you something. They had different flasher units on the mini depending on the year My local shop stocks “Tridon HD13” which works with normal bulbs, LED or a mix of the two

[@SebastianOutzen]

Great video. What's the name of the mirrors on the black car? They look great

[@peterroshouse]

So what are the proper flasher part numbers to go LED that is good quality? I just put one in (3-pin) that was supposed to be correct from the vendor and it lasted all of about 1-minute before giving up.

[@JanDootjes]

Hi Phill, excellent content, as always. Just bought a 'new' classic car but can't get mini's out of my head. Such lovely little vehicles. May I ask you what camera you dit use to shoot this video? Quality is just on point. All the best from Holland - Jan

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Thanks Jan! Yeah they're fun cars. For our videos we use cameras from the Sony Alpha line.

[@JanDootjes]

@@Stevestonmotorco Allright. Much appreciated.

[@midgelambert3880]

Those LED brake lights certainly are brighter. Great demo. Hopefully a future purchase. I have a question for you Philip. When you push your clutch pedal down how far should it travel? When I push mine down it stops about 2 inches from the floor. The 75 Mini I'm restoring has a new clutch master cylinder and new clutch slave cylinder. Because the pedal doesn't go down to the floor does that mean it needs further bleeding? Also the first time I pushed the clutch pedal down with the motor running the motor stalled. ?? I was wondering if you had any ideas on this. Cheers, Midge

[@midgelambert3880]

Problem solved thanks to help desk at Mini Mania.

[@HKLEECW]

Hi, is the relay needed? As less power of led🙏🏻

[@demonlee1933]

For UK Drivers, please note the following; Sadly, there are no exceptions for older cars. Yet, it is correct that British Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 specifies dates before which lamps and light sources do not have to be Type Approved. However, newly manufactured bulbs must comply with the current regulations, regardless of the age of vehicle to which they are fitted. The DfT advised GEM that, as LEDs are not mentioned in the UK regulations, this means that they are not permitted, unless they comply with European legislation, which they cannot. The DfT also advises that: “There are also requirements for minimum power for certain lamps… LEDs… would be unlikely to meet these requirements.”

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Thanks for the input. Could you please share the source?

[@demonlee1933]

@@Stevestonmotorco - blog.motoringassist.com/news/fit-led-lighting-car-legally/

[@1963TOMB]

@@demonlee1933 Your link appears to be more related to headlamps. For stop lamps Schedule 12 of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations 1989 specifies that the wattage of the stop lights of any car not manufactured or used before 1 Jan 1971 must be between 18W and 36W. Prior to that date there is no wattage requirement but they must 'bear' an approval mark - Not sure if that's the bulb or the glass! They must also show a steady light. I wouldn't myself attract the attention of the boys in blue in my 1969 registered car, although not everyone is as risk adverse as myself. All silly really as my electric car has rear LED lights as they are EU type approved. Coincidently I'm looking into all this at the moment as I'm currently refreshing the rear of my Morris 1000 Traveller. My pet hate as an instructor for the Institute of Advanced Motorists is being dazzled by illegal aftermarket LED headlights fitted to vehicle such as Land Rovers etc.

[@weegee5719]

Well explained video and big differences between Apollo Led lights.i'm wondering,why there's no third brake lights in those 2 minis?Cheers and stay safe,mate!

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Thanks! Depending on the year of the car here in Canada, they don't legally need a third brake light.

[@vdevov]

What about headlights? I know you sell the angel eyes style LED kits, but I mean keeping the original look with LED bulbs. The H4 bulb kit will possibly allow for LED bulbs, but I don't think it would work, since the only H4 bulbs wouldn't fit? I don't know. It'd be nice to know.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Hi, we developed the Apollo H4 Led headlamp bulbs for exactly that -- the new school output and efficiency of LEDs with a classic look. Colour temperature is a big part of it. Feel free to check them out on our store. We have fit them into many minis using the Hella housings. Hope that helps!

[@maximesimons9306]

Are they colourd ? If you want to use Them with clear covers? And its a easy old buld out new buld in? When do the Seat brackets come back in stock? A lot of questions i know 😁

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Hi Maxime, yes they are colored so they work with clear covers. Swapping the bulb is the same as any other bulb, very easy. And the seat extension bracket should be back in stock towards the end of next week!

[@rob_lightbody]

The standard bulbs are safer. The difference when braking isn't great enough with the LEDs, because they start off so bright. Would be better, however, with a third brake light in the rear window - i wouldn't drive a classic mini without one.

[@RobinTheMini]

why safer?

[@WRL218]

@@RobinTheMini The incandescent bulb has a big step up in brightness between the tail light, and the brake light. That is important because it is the brightness differential that’s noticed by people behind you. In the LED bulb, that differential is smaller.

[@bigwheelsturning]

What about Lucas, Prince of Darkness. You can't be real British without him on your car.

[@Piyosworkshop]

LOL, 😆

[@davidrossetti1061]

Proper gentleman doesn't drive after dark

[@hosrow]

By the time I saw this video and tried to place an order, you were already out of stock. When do you expect the next shipment to arrive? I am looking to get the brake and the blinker leds.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

We should have more within the next week or two

[@garyferrari1366]

Id like a set but I think these may be illegal in the UK

[@avivscrewvalla]

It's illegal if spotted by the MOT tester. They never open tail lamp assemblies!

[@aarona9383]

Just ordered me some tail lights and turn signals 🤙🏽🤙🏽🤙🏽on its way to Kauai

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Awesome, thanks for your order!

[@oscarchamberlain4167]

What year is the black car

[@hosrow]

Electrical question unrelated to this. Looking for old style flip switches with LED at the end when switch it to on position. Any recommendation (model, brand, or supplier)? The car is going through a restomod, so I want to keep the retro look but with a modern LED at the end of the switch.

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Good question, and we really like Billet Buttons. If you can think of it, they make it billetautomotivebuttons.com/

[@hosrow]

@@Stevestonmotorco you are the best, man. Can't wait for this covid thing to get under control so that u can drive my mini up from Seattle and visit you and the new shop. Always looking for your new content. Wishing you continuing success.

[@zemartins2796]

Can we have a video for the front ones aswell?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Working on it.

[@shriramvenu]

they look great but might possibly be too bright and end up dazzling people behind?

[@janetashkenazy7443]

My Mini uses clear glass, it uses orange colored bulbs. Do you stock them? Regards

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Yes our bulbs are colored and work with clear housings

[@janetashkenazy7443]

@@Stevestonmotorco Hi- How to order 2 rear LED rear lights?

[@MattMatt77]

Is it only for the Rovers or would it work for the MK1?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

The brake lights / running lights work for all models. If you want LED indicators, then we offer variants for every year.

[@thatdudeinorange2297]

Cant you guys design a third brakelight, maybe something skinny with say five Led's that clips onto the rain gutter. Should be about that height so more than one suv can spot it

[@DerHerrGammler]

The big question is: Will they get through TÜV in germany?

[@black_britax]

Nö, hab aber auch so ähnliche

[@hugopascal7834]

Hey, Can toi send in Europe ?

[@Stevestonmotorco]

Hi Hugo, yes we ship to Europe!

[@MindDezign]

You act and look like Adam Levine's brother !!!yep yep Maroon 5 !!! A must have product for an itsy bitsy car, I've had several minus these are MOST welcome !

[@benjaminchapman-coombs7137]

Would they fit an mgb lmao