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

[Tigawoods]

quit what you are doing and make these for the celi.

[Noahwhite2014]

quit what you are doing and make these for the celi.

It would be fairly simple to make, but it would look Aston Martin-ish in the tail light housings that our celicas use. I was originally planning to make a tail light based off the Aston Martin tail lights, but I realized that unless I soldered the LEDs perfectly, it would probably look bad. I'm fairly skilled at soldering, but it would take way to long for me to get it done the way I wanted to. I can start one of those after I finish mine if I can land another tail light. USDM or jdm doesn't matter I make custom lenses for it anyway and a majority of the inside will probably be cut away anyway.

[doory100]

I got two spare jdm tail lights if you want them there $80 for both.

[Noahwhite2014]

I got two spare jdm tail lights if you want them there $80 for both.

I let you know about that since I'm short on cash due to painting. Id be able to make a few sets of tails and sell a few pairs if anyone wants. Pm me on how much shipping would be to 96821.

thanks

[Noahwhite2014]

Update: figured out a solid way to make the shrouds/ring trim. Got to find some good black chrome paint kit otherwise I'm going to do a candy black (yes this is a thing its just chrome paint, adhesion promoter, then clear coat with some black in it, or you can use that lens tint stuff as your color) to the shrouds. also only the brake light shrouds are being made right now since i haven't decided which type i want to do yet.

Any input on type 1 or type 2?

Let me know!

[toyota123]

I like the look of type 2 better. More updated stock is the feeling I get from that one. The other one just doesn't set right.

Could you maybe post up another set of pics with arrows to each set of lights/bulbs with what each is for?

[cavernouspluto]

the type 2 look better than type 1 but it may look good if the white bulb from type 1 was in the red ring. But that my look to much like a GTR unless thats what you are looking for.

[Noahwhite2014]

the type 2 look better than type 1 but it may look good if the white bulb from type 1 was in the red ring. But that my look to much like a GTR unless thats what you are looking for.

After looking over Type 1 i noticed it did look a bit weird. it looks like some variations of aftermarket s2000 tails and also Kind of reminds me of some mazda tail lights. If i did relocate the reverse light into the brake light ring, it would be GTR/corvette-esque and i may end up doing so just so i can see what it'd look like. I will most likely go with type 2 as its what im leaning toward. Though I'm going to re-design the type two with a +10 degree angle upward so the lights are more aggressive, hopefully it looks okay in the current housing other wise i will have to put some more custom work into the design of the housing as well and it isn't very easy to do with my limited photoshop skills (so it could look good in photoshop but may end up looking horrible once built).

I like the look of type 2 better. More updated stock is the feeling I get from that one. The other one just doesn't set right.

Could you maybe post up another set of pics with arrows to each set of lights/bulbs with what each is for?

Here is a picture with annotations as to what everything is in type 2. The shrouds on the annotated side are being covered by the white circles

[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

[doory100]

I got two spare jdm tail lights if you want them there $80 for both.

I let you know about that since I'm short on cash due to painting. Id be able to make a few sets of tails and sell a few pairs if anyone wants. Pm me on how much shipping would be to 96821.

thanks

sorry for the late response hit me up and PM me please

[KAOS]

Update?

[Noahwhite2014]

Update?

Put it on hold for a bit because it started to look a bit like this,



I also want to add red reflectors into the center of the LED rings so that it will pass inspection next year. So I'm working on relocating my reverse lights. I'm not sure where ill have them yet.

[bmj67]

Saw this the other day he did something like what you were looking for with reflectors. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...366%26bih%3D684