Question about tail light, and bumper lights

[cdoyle]

Hi,

I've been thinking about doing an LED Retro for the tail lights, and also the bumper lights.

For the tail lights I'm either going to try and mount an already assembled LED tail/brake light module (like those you see on semi's) or construct my own PCB and solder on my own LED's.

My question is, about how to disassemble the tail lights? Does anyone know how these come apart?

I know that some manufactures will glue the lens to the housing, and if you warm them up enough you'll be able to seperate them pretty easily. Others you have to actually cut them open (which I won't even bother with if that's the case)

Has anyone ever removed the lens from the housing on the Runner before?

Same with the bumper lights, but with them I'll most likely build my own PCB since it's an odd shape, and also use superflux LED's

For the tails, this is what I'm sorta thinking about trying to mount in there. Still looking for a better one, but this sorta gets the idea. When they are off, you wouldn't really even see it behind that lens, but when on. You would get that cool LED look you see on the high end cars. I would most likely remove the lens off the module, to let more light out.

 

[AlexJet]

Post some pictures while you'll do this mod. I'm also interesting in this mod and was actually thinking the same thing, just to use custom made LED platform. I also stopped because couldn't find how to open Tail lights lenses without breaking it. How many LEDs in the light you found?

 

[cdoyle]

Post some pictures while you'll do this mod. I'm also interesting in this mod and was actually thinking the same thing, just to use custom made LED platform. I also stopped because couldn't find how to open Tail lights lenses without breaking it. How many LEDs in the light you found?

I've seen a bunch of different truck modules that range from 30-50 LED's but they all use 5mm leds. I would like to find a module that uses Superflux (which are better for automotive use) LEDs but so far can't find anything.

If I do this, I will post pictures along the way, but until someone can tell me how these things are put together I'm stuck too.

Don't want to buy the modules and then realize I can't open them. Also don't want open them, and then have to wait to get the modules (lol)

Have you found any truck modules that any good?

 

[cdoyle]

OK, I think I've decided on these modules

I've been told on other forums that it uses superflux LED's which are brighter then 5mm types. They are made by Peterson

Now just need to know how to get these tail lights open without destroying them? Anyone know?

 

[AlexJet]

OK, I think I've decided on these modules

I've been told on other forums that it uses superflux LED's which are brighter then 5mm types. They are made by Peterson

Where did you get this light? I never saw like this before. I really like it, because the ones I was considering to get have maximum half of LEDs then in your one. What make and model is it? Do you know part #?

 

[cdoyle]

I haven't ordered it yet, but it's made by perterson

Here is their website

http://www.pmlights.com/products.cfm?cId=1&fId=57&pId=1478

The one I'm looking at is.
M417R

I've found a couple places online that seem to have it

http://www.atwchrome.com/php/d.php?command=section&section=ledlights.html

scroll down to Peterson
and it's one of hte ones with a picture

Here is another place that has it for a little cheaper.

http://www.interstateturbo.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=96_210&products_id=1253

The only problem is, all the ones I'm seeing online have the trim ring, we dont' need that, and I'm not sure if it can be removed?

 

[cdoyle]

OH, any of you who bought the JDM tail lights, and still have your OEM one lying around? Would you be willing to sacrifice them, and see how they open?

See if warming them up does the trick or not?

 

[AlexJet]

The one I'm looking at is.
M417R
I've found a couple places online that seem to have it
http://www.atwchrome.com/php/d.php?command=section&section=ledlights.html
scroll down to Peterson
and it's one of hte ones with a picture
Here is another place that has it for a little cheaper.
http://www.interstateturbo.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=96_210&products_id=1253

$70 for each one? They are expensive ones.... I was trying to figure out how to remove the lenses on tail lights and come up with an idea of heat them up with a heat gun, then using utility knife cut the sealing and take them off. Didn't try it yet, because do not have time for it right now, may be next week.

 

[cdoyle]

Ya they are a little more expensive then the other ones I had posted, but I think it's because they used superflux LED's and those are brighter and better then 5mm LED's. they are made for automotive use, and I think in the long run they would last longer.

The last thing I want to do is, do this mod. Then a year from now find that I have some LED's burned out, and then have to try and take these tail lights apart again.

So I think I'll just go ahead and spend the extra for these. I wrote Peterson, and asked if these were indeed superflux. I'll let you know once they write back.

That is about the same way I thought for taking them apart, if you attempt it this week. Let me know how it goes!!

I sure hope they come apart, and go back together easiley

 

[cdoyle]

OK my Peterson Modules should be here any day now. I found a place online that had then for alot less.

So hopefully next week I'll be able to give this mod a go...

I sure hope this works (fingers crossed)

 

[AlexJet]

OK my Peterson Modules should be here any day now. I found a place online that had then for alot less.

So hopefully next week I'll be able to give this mod a go...

I sure hope this works (fingers crossed)

Keep me informed of your project. That's the next mod I'd like to do.

 

[cdoyle]

Well I'm not having much luck getting these things apart.

I've been warming them up to 300 for 5 minutes, and they won't budge.

What sucks about our lights is, there is a lip that goes around the whole lens. So if you try and pry it at all. That lips cracks (grrr)

Have you tried at all? Maybe you might have better luck.

 

[AlexJet]

Well I'm not having much luck getting these things apart.

I've been warming them up to 300 for 5 minutes, and they won't budge.

What sucks about our lights is, there is a lip that goes around the whole lens. So if you try and pry it at all. That lips cracks (grrr)

Have you tried at all? Maybe you might have better luck.

Actually didn't try yet. Don't have enough time. If you saying that heating doesn't help we need to figure out something else. I'll think about it.

 

[cdoyle]

got the modules today too. Darn it, I want to put these in

From what I'm reading on some other forum, that the heating method doens't always work, and cutting them open might be the only way to get in there.

I'll keep messing with it, hopefully I won't have to do that.

 

[cdoyle]

just tried the modules out, and wow are those things bright!!

If I can figure out how to get these open, they sure will look good in there!!!

 

[AlexJet]

just tried the modules out, and wow are those things bright!!

If I can figure out how to get these open, they sure will look good in there!!!

Looking forward to see that you've figure out how to install them in...

 

[cdoyle]

well I decided to cut the back of the housing out, to allow me to put this module in. I figured if I screw it up, I can just buy some of the JDM ones from the group buy.

I have the module sitting in there now, just need to glue it in place, and seal up the big hole I just cut (lol)

I'm taking pictures, and when I finally get them both done I'll post them.

 

[cdoyle]

Do you want a sneek peek?

It's pretty bright, and looks pretty nice. Just have to wait for the glue and everything to dry.

Tomorrow I hope to be able to put it back on the truck. Then start with tail light #2!!

 

[AlexJet]

It looks awesome. So how you did it? Cut the big hole for the module in the back of the light.

 

[cdoyle]

It looks awesome. So how you did it? Cut the big hole for the module in the back of the light.

Yep

that about sums it up (lol)