Tail light inserts (LED)

[Rain1950]

The worst thing that designers came up with is the amber turn signals. The darn things hurt my eyes at night!

So today I sat down and designed an insert to replace the 3 color tail light with a 3 bar (ala 66 GTO). I will be using red 12V LEDs (cheap, BTW). I will (of course) take pix and give a full description of the assembly using the original Fiat bezels.

It amazes me how folks will put out a fist-full of $$ for LED lights because it's the 'IN' thing. My red LEDs cost less than a dime each and it will take 96 for the project (both sides)

And what about back-up lights? I'll set those into the rubber pads in the bumper using small halogen fog style lamps . . . .lite up the night!!

[jimmycakes401]

Any updates?

[azygoustoyou]

Are you talking about doing something like I did with the reverse lights or are you cutting into the rubber on the bumper?

[Rain1950]

Making progress. Have removed one unit; cut out the reflectors and sprayed over the plastic (chrome) with matte black. Using .10" thick polycarbonate for the lenses. The LED holders are split 1/2" PVC. LEDs do not require a reflective surface as they are directional. The ones I'm using have a 20 degrees spread. Also LEDs do not create heat as do incandescent so you don't need a lot of clearance to the lens

A couple pix so far:




Use Scotchbrite to fog the lens on both sides. I capped the ends of the PVC with thin plastic cut from a bubble package,



Test fit the lens into the original bezel

[azygoustoyou]

Remember how the the Fiero's had the light in the back that said Pontiac. You could have made the word Fiat in the tail light.

[Rain1950]

I could still do that; how about the third brake light?

[Rain1950]

Maybe something like this ?












Actually, I'm already making a mold for the bucket and bezel. Making the lens from the same plastic as the tail light inserts

[jimmycakes401]

Are you going to have a step by step available with a list of the materials you used? I don't plan on doing my rear lights, but I'm sure a lot of folk here would like to know. And who knows, maybe one day I'll want to make my own custom lenses.

[Rain1950]

If anyone requests details; I will do up a document and post it. As for the 3ed brakelight; I am making tooling and will provide parts if so desired. I'm retired so not looking for profit just friends of like minds. ( an Ageless Hippie)

[jimmycakes401]

I've built a lot of crazy stuff in my day and my studio is fitted for mold-making, fabrication etc. So I'm always interested in hearing about how folks do custom stuff like this. Looking forward to seeing your progress.

[Rain1950]

Well prior to retiring; I spent 36 years as a Toolmaker/machinist for Boeing Commercial. I've thrown about a good deal of plaster and various types of composites. While I don't have all the tools I used during my employed days; I can improvise

[jimmycakes401]

Nice!

[happybeachgoerm]

Yes! Please Post up how you made these! Would Looove something like this if it doesnt cost too much to make/or get from you. im also thinking of using the "S 10/Blazer" Third Brake Light that ive seen on here....but putting it on the trunk,not the Body..

[eman2112]

Are you talking about doing something like I did with the reverse lights or are you cutting into the rubber on the bumper?

Where did you get the lights from and how did you mount them?

[SoFlaFiat]

If I remember correctly, Brady used vette lights in custom buckets.
Here is my easy and cheap method for LED taillights.


The original housing and lenses will remain.
And here is my 3rd brake light. Readily available LED.