Difference between US and European tail light? | FerrariChat
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Difference between US and European tail light?

Discussion in '348/355' started by TrojanFan, Apr 17, 2015.

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  1. TrojanFan

    TrojanFan F1 Veteran
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    #1 TrojanFan, Apr 17, 2015
    Anyone know the difference between a US and European 355 outer tail light? One of the parts places has a good used European one but they don't know the difference and neither do I.
     
  2. junglistluder

    junglistluder F1 Rookie
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    #2 junglistluder, Apr 17, 2015
    US Taillights:
    2 outers for park & turn signal, clear centers not used.
    2 inners for braking only, clear centers for backup.

    Euro Taillights:
    Outer Lamp - Outer ring is the Tail and Brake Lamp, Inner White Circle is the Blinker.
    Inner Lamp - Outer ring is the Rear Fog Lamp, Inner White Circle is the Reverse Lamp.
     
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  3. TrojanFan

    TrojanFan F1 Veteran
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    #3 TrojanFan, Apr 18, 2015
    OK, understand that it sounds like the bulb socket is different than the US, but is that actual lens any different than the US version? If I have a US socket, will it work on a US lens?
     
  4. user2006

    user2006 Karting

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    #4 user2006, Apr 18, 2015
    From my recent experience with converting the tail lights of a US 456 to a European 456 I can state that it makes sense to buy new sockets. Then you still might want to change single wires/connectors to have it like in the US.
    There might be another problem as the US is usually using two 21-watt bulbs for the flasher (red/clear bulbs, outside two bulbs outer side) while the European uses one 21-watt bulb (yellow, center, outside light) there is a change in the resistance of approx. 6.5 Ohm.

    I would keep the European tail lights to avoid a lot of work and change the wires as needed. They can be pulled out easy of the sockets and changed.
     
  5. TrojanFan

    TrojanFan F1 Veteran
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    #5 TrojanFan, Apr 22, 2015
    I have us tail lights with a US socket. One of my lenses is cracked and a parts place had a good price on a European tail light lens. I would be using my same US socket, bulbs and wiring. The question really is as to the lens itself. Is the European lens any different? Part catalogs show a different part number but that simply could be a due to a different wiring of the socket which I don't need.

    I've discovered that all US tail lights are the same - Left, Right, Inner or outer. Its just a matter of where the removable screw pins were placed and those you can switch around. On the outer that cut out for the reverse light as not been removed but that can easily be done.

    Is it the same actual lens for a European car?
     
  6. Delta_Lima

    Delta_Lima Karting

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    #6 Delta_Lima, Aug 19, 2015
    Different question: what is the difference between EU and US headlights?
    Also the bulbs and wiring? Is the glass unit the same?
     
  7. ruey220

    ruey220 Formula Junior
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    #7 ruey220, Dec 16, 2019
    Did you ever get the answer to your question?
     
  8. TrojanFan

    TrojanFan F1 Veteran
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    #8 TrojanFan, Dec 16, 2019
    Not that I recall. I just bought replacement US lights.
     
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