TOTALLY CUSTOM reverse/4th brake lights!
01-22-2009, 07:53 PM
#1
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TOTALLY CUSTOM reverse/4th brake lights!
Ok well I'm sure most of you have come across some pretty cool ideas to use the LED strip lights from Oznium.com. JnC is putting them in headlights, and a lot of people are putting them in the front bumper areas in different combos. But I decided to go a different route 
I've seen poeple mod their reverse lights by converting them to LEDs, but I wanted something different, seeing as the rest of my car is converted to all LEDs. And I wanted something brighter too. After doing some measuring, I decided to buy four of the white 9.5" strips, and two of the red 9.5" strips. Then the game plan was to have two "rows" of white/red/white. White of course would be my new reverse lights, red would be additionally brake lights.
So I bought a new lower bumper trim piece (only cost about $4, had it the next day), and started cutting out the sections in which the LED strips would sit in. Then drilled the small holes to allow the wiring, etc. (All this WAS NOT actually this simple!) Cleaned everything up, and sprayed a nice flat black overtop of the newly modded bumper trim piece. Then I installed the lights. They already fit in very snuggly as is, but I decided it wouldn't hurt to put some superglue on the backs of the strips to make sure they don't move, etc.
Next was the wiring. Again, long story short, ran extra wiring from the factory reverse light locations down along the OEM harness, to the new reverse lights. Same for the brake lights. If you've ever read my other electrical posts, you know I refuse to cut/splice into any harnesses. I make what I call "extend a harnesses" that simple plug inline with the OEM harness. And within that extend a harness is where I splice. That way, it's reversible if need be. ANYWHO, ran all the wiring and hooked everything up.
I've skipped a lot of details to save time, because if you've read my rear heated seats post, you'll know how detailed, and lengthy, I can get! So here are the pics. As you can see, I suck at taking night pics. I don't know shit about exposure lengths, etc. And I have a crappy camera. All I can say is the actual lights look 100x better in person AND are a lot brighter in person (and obviously not blurry like in some of the pics). So if you're ever in the Lancaster area, let me know
Let me know what you guys think!
-- Kevin
I've seen poeple mod their reverse lights by converting them to LEDs, but I wanted something different, seeing as the rest of my car is converted to all LEDs. And I wanted something brighter too. After doing some measuring, I decided to buy four of the white 9.5" strips, and two of the red 9.5" strips. Then the game plan was to have two "rows" of white/red/white. White of course would be my new reverse lights, red would be additionally brake lights.
So I bought a new lower bumper trim piece (only cost about $4, had it the next day), and started cutting out the sections in which the LED strips would sit in. Then drilled the small holes to allow the wiring, etc. (All this WAS NOT actually this simple!) Cleaned everything up, and sprayed a nice flat black overtop of the newly modded bumper trim piece. Then I installed the lights. They already fit in very snuggly as is, but I decided it wouldn't hurt to put some superglue on the backs of the strips to make sure they don't move, etc.
Next was the wiring. Again, long story short, ran extra wiring from the factory reverse light locations down along the OEM harness, to the new reverse lights. Same for the brake lights. If you've ever read my other electrical posts, you know I refuse to cut/splice into any harnesses. I make what I call "extend a harnesses" that simple plug inline with the OEM harness. And within that extend a harness is where I splice. That way, it's reversible if need be. ANYWHO, ran all the wiring and hooked everything up.
I've skipped a lot of details to save time, because if you've read my rear heated seats post, you'll know how detailed, and lengthy, I can get! So here are the pics. As you can see, I suck at taking night pics. I don't know shit about exposure lengths, etc. And I have a crappy camera. All I can say is the actual lights look 100x better in person AND are a lot brighter in person (and obviously not blurry like in some of the pics). So if you're ever in the Lancaster area, let me know
Let me know what you guys think!
-- Kevin
Looks like a spaceship. Sorry buddy but +1 for that mod
01-22-2009, 08:14 PM
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Nice work but way over the top.
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01-22-2009, 08:55 PM
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Kevin, I've got to give you props for creativity.
01-22-2009, 09:03 PM
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Ok first I just want to make it clear that the white LEDs are the reverse lights only! I didn't take any pics of just the brake lights, guess I'll have to. And yes I was trying to recreate the Chinese TL light they have down there. Please keep posting comments, even if you're not feeling them!
01-22-2009, 09:04 PM
#19
07 tl-s in
01-22-2009, 09:07 PM
#21
06 WDP / 07 WDP Type-S
Did you disconnect your reverse lights completely? It looks like you have only the bottom strips as your reverse lights in one of the pictures. That would reduce the amount of light behind you would it not? Correct me if I'm wrong,but aren't LEDs used for more direct light and not for surroundings?
It's neat, I give you that. Can you get a picture of when you're braking?
Am I reading wrong? Do your red LEDs light up with the brake light and white light up with reverse?
Anyway, something new is better than, "I just hooked up Accord fog lights on my TL."
Thanks for the post.
It's neat, I give you that. Can you get a picture of when you're braking?
Am I reading wrong? Do your red LEDs light up with the brake light and white light up with reverse?
Anyway, something new is better than, "I just hooked up Accord fog lights on my TL."
Thanks for the post.
01-22-2009, 09:21 PM
#23
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I think if you got rid of the red down low, just kept the middle black, and used the white on the outter edges for reverse, that would look good. The low brake light is weird and over kill. Now, if you could get a CDM license plate holder that doesn't have the reverse light, I think that would look real cool.
01-23-2009, 12:08 AM
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01-23-2009, 03:57 AM
#32
Safety Car
It would if the white LEDs lit up when he used his brakes but....................
Ok first I just want to make it clear that the white LEDs are the reverse lights only! I didn't take any pics of just the brake lights, guess I'll have to. And yes I was trying to recreate the Chinese TL light they have down there. Please keep posting comments, even if you're not feeling them!
01-23-2009, 07:41 AM
#35
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Very creative........are the white LED's actually bright enough to be used for back up lights? Help with viewing through the back up cam? For break lights I think all red would be better. Nice work!!
01-23-2009, 08:15 AM
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A little much for me, but you did a great job on the install. Very clean work. Your skills, demonstrated with this and your seats (I remember that thread from way back...still think it's cool...well, hot 
), are very impressive. Looking forward to your next project.
), are very impressive. Looking forward to your next project.
