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Another DIY LED Taillight Conversion

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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 09:19 AM
  #1  
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Default 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:
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 11:18 AM
  #2  
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I LOVE it.....slick.....

I might try that myself !




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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 11:37 AM
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I like that

I like how its clean and kept the factory lights just changed to LED

Job well done
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 02:03 PM
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And when would you like to make a set for me ? Only I am going to remove the backup lights.

Very nice.
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 06:55 PM
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Excellent job
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 08:46 PM
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I like it, looks well done!
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 07:38 AM
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Thanks all!
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 02:50 PM
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Looks nice. Good job man.
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 03:31 PM
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Best LED conversion I have see yet. good job
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Old Sep 3, 2013 | 11:53 AM
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NICE!!!

I can't remember if it was already answered on the other thread.
Did you have to swap out the flasher circuit for this to work?

Ken
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Old Sep 3, 2013 | 12:53 PM
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kool look bro
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Old Sep 3, 2013 | 01:54 PM
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I like it. May have to do that while I'm changing my rear bumper. You know one of those while I'm at it thinks.
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Old Sep 3, 2013 | 02:21 PM
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Awesome job, really nice workmanship.
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 08:26 AM
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Thanks guys!


Originally Posted by 74Ken
NICE!!!

I can't remember if it was already answered on the other thread.
Did you have to swap out the flasher circuit for this to work?

Ken
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.
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Old Sep 11, 2013 | 09:19 AM
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Originally Posted by Trae1976
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.
Keep me posted. I am knee deep in this upgrade now and would love a solution before I finish closing up the dash.
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Old Sep 16, 2013 | 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by 74Ken
Keep me posted. I am knee deep in this upgrade now and would love a solution before I finish closing up the dash.
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.
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Old Sep 16, 2013 | 09:29 AM
  #17  
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Man, that looks great !
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To Another DIY LED Taillight Conversion

Old Sep 17, 2013 | 08:10 AM
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Wow, that is how the LED conversions should be done! Looks amazing.
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Old Sep 17, 2013 | 03:09 PM
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Thanks!
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Old Apr 23, 2014 | 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by Trae1976
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.
Link doesn't quite work. Have a part number?
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