Making Custom LED Tail lights from USDM tails, Noahwhite2014's LED Tail light build/progress Options

[Noahwhite2014]

So exactly as the title says, I'm making custom LED tail lights using USDM Tail lights. The Goal is in each block, to have two LED rings (one larger and one a bit smaller). The outer ring at 50% brightness, i plan on making the running lights. While the inner rings AND outer rings at 100% brightness I plan to make the brake lights.

The turn signals i don't really plan on changing much other than painting the inner plastic reflector parts (i may end up changing my mind and actually doing something with this)

As for reverse lights i plan on putting the 1157 LED bulbs centered in each circle (i may end up shifting the rings over a bit to the right, and putting an LED array as my reverse lights. not sure yet)

Here are the pictures of the rings right now. The light emitting parts will be masked off individually, and the rest of the board/ring/backing will be painted black.



Im not sure if i did the image right, if it doesn't work let me know.

Also Let me know what you think so far?

Update 9/4/2014: Clear Lenses made! (too dark to take pics though, plus i haven't fitted them to the tail light perfectly yet. I'm going to be doing some heavy modifications to the housing so it will fit perfectly with the edges of the housing

Also...
Here are some quick photoshop mockup/concept pics of what I'm going for:

The white small circles are 1157 LED bulbs, the small amber circles are 1157 LED Bulbs. The shiny ring is a thin black chrome shroud/bezel. The red dots are red LEDs.

Type 1:


Type 2:


ALSO if thats anyones celica, sorry for snagging the picture, it was the best available at the angle i needed.

This post has been edited by Noahwhite2014: Sep 4, 2014 - 4:18 AM

[toyota123]

That's what I figured. I think that should look great. Hopefully we can see a working demo soon

[Noahwhite2014]

That's what I figured. I think that should look great. Hopefully we can see a working demo soon

Yup! Probably in a week or so the electrical stuff should be done if I can find a cheap 1157 adapter (basically an 1157 bulb housing but wires coming out of it. So I can keep the tail light weatherproof. If I can't find some on island (for a reasonable price of course) I'll order them online. But I can show a demo of the lights working with switches and stuff. I've got to get some diodes as well so I can make the outer ring half brightness for DRL and full brightness when braking. Hopefully someone with more knowledge about diodes and stuff can enlighten me on what type I should get.

The housing will be the last thing to be done and will take a bit longer as I need to get a safety inspection done as soon as possible and I only have one tail light set!:/

Luckily my celica isn't my daily driver right now as I am able to use my families corolla for all errands and stuff



This post has been edited by Noahwhite2014: Sep 8, 2014 - 11:30 PM