You can get direct replacement for Automotive bulbs at:
http://www.datasheets.led.net/trafficauto_index/autotraffic_index.htm

But they are not cheap.
White LEDs are still around $4.00 each, retail.
You could buy quite a number of taillight bulbs for the price of one LED
replacement bulb.

Todd
'88 Westy

Chris Stann wrote:

> Has anyone attempted to make LED taillights for the Vanagon?  Any home-bound
> hobbyists with too much solder laying around?
>
> I had idea of installing flat plates with pre-drilled holes for the LEDs in
> place of the taillight reflectors and running "custom" wiring to the
> taillight electric plugs.
>
> Chris,
>
> '85 Westy