SC300 Custom high power LED clear Tails DIY
06-17-09, 12:27 PM
#32
Driver
Thread Starter
^^^^thanks. I'm super happy with the whole project. I know O.L.T. didn't like the parking lights, but I like them, the single strip is centered in the lens top to bottom, runs full length, and curves down where it goes around the corner, I think it looks pretty good. The brake lights work great, I didn't want LEDs just to be cool, I mean that was part of the reason, but I also wanted them to be bright, so as good as or better than stock in every way. They are great, I'm glad I went with this setup. I tried 2 different LED "bulbs" in the turn signals and just wasn't happy. I tried this one
and this one
and they just weren't nearly as bright as the incandescent. I even tried to position them in the "sweet spot" of the reflector and I just wasn't happy. The reflector is not round, it's really only effective on one side since it's so asymmetrical, so the other side you just lose all the light out the side of the lens rather than reflecting it rearward. I just got some amber 1156s and I think I'll stick with them. The Stars looked really cool, and fit perfectly with the arms comming within about a millimeter of the top and bottom of the housing, they just weren't as bright, and this was in my basement, I didn't even bother taking them out into the sunlight.
and this one
and they just weren't nearly as bright as the incandescent. I even tried to position them in the "sweet spot" of the reflector and I just wasn't happy. The reflector is not round, it's really only effective on one side since it's so asymmetrical, so the other side you just lose all the light out the side of the lens rather than reflecting it rearward. I just got some amber 1156s and I think I'll stick with them. The Stars looked really cool, and fit perfectly with the arms comming within about a millimeter of the top and bottom of the housing, they just weren't as bright, and this was in my basement, I didn't even bother taking them out into the sunlight.
09-04-09, 02:57 PM
#34
Driver
Thread Starter
I went through the whole entire process again, baking in the oven, carefully prying them apart, cutting new "lenses", putting them all back together, etc etc. I decided the "cracked ice" lenses were good for transmitting light, but didn't look very "factory" So I made some new ones using the recommended "prismatic clear" and I do think they look better, certainly with the lights off. The brake lights are plenty bright, everyone who has been following me said they are intense, so that wasn't an issue, the turn signals are just a touch dimmer, if I had a proper flasher so they would stay on long enough it would probably be ok. ( I modded the stock flasher using another capacitor in parallel, but it's not ideal)
Cracked Ice
Prismatic Clear
Here is what the car looks like now:
Cracked Ice
Prismatic Clear
Here is what the car looks like now:
09-05-09, 10:32 PM
#38
Keeper of the light
iTrader: (17)
LOL, no I doubt he'd make a killing. He'd have to sell them for close to $700 after buying the tails and he'd make about $50..... ROFL.
09-05-09, 11:13 PM
#41
Nice job. I'm in the process of doing my own for my ES at the moment. Only I went the hard route and am soldering over 100 Lumiled's per tail light. So far only my 30 Lumiled 3rd brake light is finished though. Darn things take so much time! lol...
09-06-09, 12:02 AM
#43
Sorry, just noticed something. This would be a great addition for you since I just noticed that you're still with the OEM 3rd brake lights. Seeing as you are able to work much faster than me, you should have no problem completing it soon 
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
09-06-09, 06:35 AM
#45
Driver
Thread Starter
I got a really good deal on my used set, and I lucked out, most of the "great condition" used ones on ebay are a gamble. scuffs, scratches, cracks, etc. If I were to actually sell them, the only way would be to buy new ones, and know what you are starting with, which would just about double the price, and then there is the time involved....A LOT OF IT, no one wants to pay for labor, so I guess it's just a DIY to give inspiration to those who are interested