Another DIY LED Taillight Conversion
04-17-2013, 09:19 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Another DIY LED Taillight Conversion
Per requests from 7t2vette's thread . . .
Here's some pics of my LED taillight setup, and there's a few more here if you're interested. My apologies for the quality, I’m clearly not a pro photog.
And they’re not nearly as "clean" as 7t2vette’s units, but they get the job done.
My goal was to maintain the stock appearance while increasing the brightness and visibility. I also wanted to utilize the red lenses (reflectors actually) around the backup lenses for some extra light, specifically for brakes and turn signals. I wasn't planning to post a how-to, so I didn’t take any in-process pics of the light housing assembly/disassembly. You’ll have to use your imagination there.
I cut and reassembled the housings open near the base of the white plastic - you can see where I've epoxied them back together. I also had to remove a rectangular section from each of the taillight backings in order to make clearance for the wiring. Other than the additional connections, they install basically the same as the original configuration.
For the taillights, I used these 4” diameter 36-LED truck/trailer lamps. I removed the lenses and trimmed the bases as necessary to fit inside my taillight housings.
And I used these 1157 Adapters so I didn’t have to splice into my car's existing harness. I added leads in parallel to the taillight/signal circuit for the rings in the backup housings.
Reassembled taillight housing:
For the rings around the backup lights, I used these red “Angel Eyes”, 100mm diameter with 33 LEDs.
The wiring is a bit frail on these, so I soldered on heavier gauge inside the housing.
Reassembled backup light housing:
And from the functional side:
I assembled some jumper wires and just zip-tied them to the existing harness. For backup lights, I kept the white LED 1156 bulbs I have been using for awhile, they were always really bright.
Here’s what they look like at dusk. I know the photos aren’t the best, but hopefully you get the idea. If I get the chance, I’ll attempt a video as well.
No lights on:
Taillights on:
Brake lights on:
Backup lights on:
Taillights and backup lights on:
Brake lights and backup lights on:
Here's some pics of my LED taillight setup, and there's a few more here if you're interested. My apologies for the quality, I’m clearly not a pro photog.
And they’re not nearly as "clean" as 7t2vette’s units, but they get the job done.
My goal was to maintain the stock appearance while increasing the brightness and visibility. I also wanted to utilize the red lenses (reflectors actually) around the backup lenses for some extra light, specifically for brakes and turn signals. I wasn't planning to post a how-to, so I didn’t take any in-process pics of the light housing assembly/disassembly. You’ll have to use your imagination there.
I cut and reassembled the housings open near the base of the white plastic - you can see where I've epoxied them back together. I also had to remove a rectangular section from each of the taillight backings in order to make clearance for the wiring. Other than the additional connections, they install basically the same as the original configuration.
For the taillights, I used these 4” diameter 36-LED truck/trailer lamps. I removed the lenses and trimmed the bases as necessary to fit inside my taillight housings.
And I used these 1157 Adapters so I didn’t have to splice into my car's existing harness. I added leads in parallel to the taillight/signal circuit for the rings in the backup housings.
Reassembled taillight housing:
For the rings around the backup lights, I used these red “Angel Eyes”, 100mm diameter with 33 LEDs.
The wiring is a bit frail on these, so I soldered on heavier gauge inside the housing.
Reassembled backup light housing:
And from the functional side:
I assembled some jumper wires and just zip-tied them to the existing harness. For backup lights, I kept the white LED 1156 bulbs I have been using for awhile, they were always really bright.
Here’s what they look like at dusk. I know the photos aren’t the best, but hopefully you get the idea. If I get the chance, I’ll attempt a video as well.
No lights on:
Taillights on:
Brake lights on:
Backup lights on:
Taillights and backup lights on:
Brake lights and backup lights on:
04-18-2013, 03:31 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Best LED conversion I have see yet. good job
09-11-2013, 08:26 AM
#14
Drifting
Thread Starter
Thanks guys! 
I have a Signal-Stat Electronic Flasher 262 that worked for several years with my old setup (replacement-style LED bulbs) as well as with this setup.
However, the past couple of times I've had it out, it would flash a few times then stop. Seems like the flasher is just trying to die, so I'm going to try replacing that first. If that doesn't fix it, I'll post an update of my findings.
However, the past couple of times I've had it out, it would flash a few times then stop. Seems like the flasher is just trying to die, so I'm going to try replacing that first. If that doesn't fix it, I'll post an update of my findings.
09-11-2013, 09:19 AM
#15
Burning Brakes
I have a Signal-Stat Electronic Flasher 262 that worked for several years with my old setup (replacement-style LED bulbs) as well as with this setup.
However, the past couple of times I've had it out, it would flash a few times then stop. Seems like the flasher is just trying to die, so I'm going to try replacing that first. If that doesn't fix it, I'll post an update of my findings.
However, the past couple of times I've had it out, it would flash a few times then stop. Seems like the flasher is just trying to die, so I'm going to try replacing that first. If that doesn't fix it, I'll post an update of my findings.
04-23-2014, 07:23 AM
#20
3rd Gear
Member Since: Apr 2014
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I just picked up one of these and tried it out over the weekend. Worked great, got another for the hazards.
FYI, all of my other exterior lights (exc. headlights) are LED bulbs.
FYI, all of my other exterior lights (exc. headlights) are LED bulbs.