Substitute for an 1157 bulb in a tight space?

I have a pair of cool little tail light housings I want to use on my Model A Pickup. They were originally small single filament bulbs. I bought new 1157 staggered pin sockets. Got the old socket out and the new one in. Put the bulb (1157) in and it's longer than I have room for. I can't get the lens on far enough to get the retaining ring on. The bulb comes in contact with the inside of the lens. Not good.

So, my question is, does anyone know of another bulb that has an 1157 style staggered pin base, with a dual filament and a smaller glass envelope?

Thanks for any help. Here's a pic of the tail light.

 

Try a halogen h1157 bulb or go to a mc shop and look at their 1157 bulbs.

 

Any way to move the retainer deeper into the housing?


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No unfortunately there isn't. I thought of trimming the bottom of the socket and tigging it right to the housing. That would give me 1/8" and might just be enough but if it's as simple as a new bulb I'd rather not cut the socket.

 

Do the halogens have a smaller glass bulb?

 

There's a motorcycle application bulb for this, but they come with issues; if the lens is plastic, it will probably end up melting. And bulb life is poor, so get 'em in quantity...

 

Not traditional, but they do show dimensions:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/sear...57/filter/Cross_Reference_Number,1157,21,195:

 

Really? That's what I'm looking for. The lens is glass and hell I can carry some spares. Know the number off hand? Here's a pic of the light before the new socket, assembled and mounted to the box of my truck. I really dig em. Plus, I scored them at the flea market for $3

 

The halogens are skinnier and I believe a little shorter. The mc bulbs are still a 1157 I think.

 

I think I did find a solution on one of my builds. Look in the Grainger catalog and you will find a shorter bulb with opposing pins. You would just change the sockets. The bulb is a 1251

 

LED bulbs?

 

What about an LED bulb?
Some of them look kinda short.
JimSig

 

I would rather stay away from LED bulbs.

 

I just changed the socket

 

I think the LED's linked in post #7 would be a good prospect. Shorter, cooler, BRIGHTER........only slightly (?) more money

 

that looks like it was a clearance light originally.

 

Ron Francis has a short bulb #B1005

 

The B1005 bulb is straight across pin. I need staggered like an 1157.

 

http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/s...ntent=104392&gclid=CNP1sLTdlb0CFYMcOgodVHgAjQ

That took 2 seconds. Google short globe 1157?

 

The B1005 has straight pins the B1007 has staggered pins. Depending on your socket

But the one shown by 31Vicky with a hemi is cheaper than Ron Francis and more candlepower.

 

There ya go! Thanks man. I should have tried some different terms. When I found the Uni ball I used on my rear radius rods I googled "big heim joint". Thanks.

 

Yeah a Beehive , common on trucks..

 

The power of the HAMB........................

 

Just last week I put 1157 sockets in my Guide headlights,,,,,,,,,really challenging getting those standard amber 1157 bulbs to fit inside the marker lens,,,,,,,,,,wish I had known about these small globe bulbs.

 

What I've used is the 1003 bulb,more GP than a 97 and not near as big as an 1157,but it is straight across pins.

 

These aren't a 'standard' bulb and don't have a 'number' per se. They are much smaller, being over 1/2" shorter and only 3/4" in diameter but still have a 'standard' base. They're also not quite as bright as regular 1157 lamps but will fit in your lights.

Check at your local Harley shop and ask for Custom Chrome part # 330269. This is a pack of ten. J&P Cycle also sells them ($2.99 each) under part number 3300720. Custom Chrome doesn't sell direct, you have to go through one of their dealers (most any shop that sells Harley stuff).

The Drag Specialties lamps will also work and are brighter, but because of the even smaller globe and brighter light output burn out even faster.

 

Cool thanks for the info. I bought 6 of the Drag Specialties bulbs last night. I heard they are prone to burning out. I'll keep a few spares in the tool kit. I just kinda dig these lights. I'll run them for a while and see how bulb life is, if it's too bad I'll change the lights to a different style. Thanks everyone for the input.

 

This is some information I got from www.theherd.com some years ago about light bulbs.
Needless to say I've been using 2357 bulbs for some time now. This won't fix your depth of bulb problem but if you're concerned about brightness the 2357 is a great choice and available at most auto parts stores.

There are several bulbs which meet the S-8 specification, and which are interchangeable in an automobile application:
Trade No Filament Volts Watts Amps CP Life
2057 Low 14.0 6.86 0.49 2 5000
High 12.8 26.88 2.10 32 1200
1034 Low 14.0 8.26 0.59 3 5000
High 12.8 23.04 1.80 32 200
1157 Low 14.0 8.26 0.59 3 5000
High 12.8 26.88 2.10 32 1200
2397 Low 14.0 6.72 0.48 2 5000
High 12.8 28.54 2.23 40 400
2357 Low 14.0 8.26 0.59 3 5000
High 12.8 28.54 2.23 40 400

CP = Candle Power

This data was taken from a Wagner Lamp Specification Guide, other brand bulbs may vary slightly in specs, but not by much. As you can see from this table, I have listed the bulbs roughly in order from dimmest to brightest. For example, comparing the 2057 that comes in the stock Impala taillight with an 1157 replacement, you can see that they are essentially the same bulb, except the 1157 would be 50% brighter on the low (parking light) filament.

I have gone the next step and installed 2357 bulbs in my taillights, backup lights, and cornering lights, which are 50% brighter on the low filament (parking lights) and also 25% brighter on the high filament as well. This makes the brake lights, turn signals and cornering lights that much brighter. There is a slight tradeoff in bulb life, but 400 hours is the average life of a headlight bulb anyway, and brake lights and turn signals are not on continuously anyway. Note that the super bright 2357 bulb was already factory issue in the CHMSL.

Each one of these bulbs is also available in an "NA" version, which means the bulb is coated with a Natural Amber coating. For example, the stock Impala front park/turn signal bulbs are 2057NA, while I have replace mine with brighter (both in park and turn signal mode) 2357NA bulbs. Personally I feel that having brighter parking, stop, turn signal and cornering lights are an excellent safety feature, not to mention one of the easier mods you can do! Just one more thing to make your Impala stand out from the crowd.

 

I changed to led and liked them. They are bright, quick response, much cooler (temp), and last alot longer. Most important i am pretty sure they would fit in that lens.

 

Between 31Vicky and Squirrel there have been a lot of problems solved and fires put out around here! Need those boys on "speed dial".