Custom Tailight Build

[silverGPX]

I just saw these online.

Will the covers look like that?

Cos ill just buy the covers off you if so.

[dstocks]

Yes and no. They have extra folds. Ive modified the case so there is only a single fold. Much cheaper to replicate then. I thought about allowing the bulb holder idea as well, but im not sure I can make that happen now.

[Shhtuart]

Yes and no. They have extra folds. Ive modified the case so there is only a single fold. Much cheaper to replicate then. I thought about allowing the bulb holder idea as well, but im not sure I can make that happen now.

I like the progress so far. Anything as close to the project f's is awesome.

Any ideas on an ETA? I need to save up

[dstocks]

Well, its soaking up huge amounts of time I dont really have at present, so I get to fit it in where I can (ive got a deck to work on this weekend + an FTO to change the door over on). At a guess its a few months away by the time all is said and done. It will have to be right before I move ahead, so I will be taking my time and making sure I cover it all off.

[shadowarrior]

Those look awesome!! I'll have the base in black and clear glass cover. Love big LEDs!

At a guess its a few months away by the time all is said and done.

I'll have saved up for this by then

[illmotion]

[Nacho]

Well the story is that as the perspex lens will be stuck to the case with some form of silicone/sikaflex, you dont want to be able to see it as it would look untidy/ugly. This will mean either putting a sticker on the inside of the outer edge of the lens so that the glue will be hidden by the sticker or using a sticker on the inside of the lens as a mask so the outside of the lens can be painted. In my case ill be wanting to carbon fibre dip just the outside edge of the underside of the lens and a sticker seems to be a logical thing to use as a mask.

Would be happy to add this component to the cost as an optional part as I can see some people would probably have a shot at it themselves and wouldnt need the sticker.

Precisely! That's why I had to paint a black strip on the outside of my set because it doesn't matter how clear your glue/silicone is you can see the sealant marks through the clear lens.

[dstocks]

Just thought id put in a quick update. Got some flat LED discs to play with today. They fit perfectly into the lenses. Am going to modify to take bulbs as well though. This will put the timeline back a bit though as there is quite a bit of work in this. On the flip side, will decrease the cost for those on a budget (LED bulbs are a LOT less than the LED discs). In they end youll be able to choose what you want! (if all goes to plan)

[Technikhaus]

Sounds interesting, will there be any differences in how they will look?

Also, I just saw this today... damn nice in my opinion!

[dstocks]

Will look very similar to that, but simpler - 1 less fold in the outside clear cover, an extra lens where the parker bulb is and missing the bar between the parker and the rest of the taillight. Ill be doing mine in CF just like that set.

[Nacho]

Dwayne what kind of plastic will you be using for the outer lens?

[dstocks]

UV resistant perspex im thinking, but will take on advice as I dont know that much about it. Only know that the perspex in the Project F's go yellow and would like to avoid this.

[Nacho]

Yeah the ABS plastic used on the Project Fs unless constantly waxed definitely oxidize fairly quickly if the car's not garaged.

I was thinking perspex when I went out to the pergola and noticed that the perspex's been there for years on end and has never yellowed.

Just wondering what kind of company your using to get the perspex cut/molded? Are you using a plastics company? Headlight company? Etc.

Did you just provide them the lens off the taillights and they were able to measure and cut easily?

[Dras]

Acrylic (Perspex) and polycarbonate (Lexan) are the two main choices.

Acrylic is harder but more brittle. It is likely to crack / break if a stone hits it hard enough but because it is hard will resist scratching more than polycarbonate. Acrylic is also cheaper.

Polycarbonate is softer and will resist cracking (you can hit the stuff with a hammer and it will just bend and snap back into shape). Polycarbonate is what the headlight outer lenses are made of. Polycarbonate by itself will easily scuff and scratch as anyone who has polished up their headlights will attest to. The trick is that the headlights out of the factory have a hard film / lamination over the polycarbonate to stop the scuffs and scratches, this provides the best of both worlds, a plastic that can take a stone chip without cracking and a surface that won't easily scuff and lose its transparency.

As the rear lights cop much less abuse from stones than the headlights, it probably doesn't matter too much which way you go, but for the ultimate result, I would go polycarbonate and get it coated. The coating can be bought cheap off ebay / supercheap (just look for headlight films) and get a window tinter to fit them properly.

[dstocks]

Just wondering what kind of company your using to get the perspex cut/molded? Are you using a plastics company? Headlight company? Etc.

Did you just provide them the lens off the taillights and they were able to measure and cut easily?

Havent got to that bit yet actually. Have made a template the right shape, so they wont really have to measure anything. Was thinking of going to a company specialising in perspex. There are a couple in Canberra. Have called one, but have yet to get a chance to drop in and show them anything. Would be better finishing the units off first probably.

[dstocks]

OK, many hours later, I have the bulb holders back in (plumbing fittings and all). These will not take the stock wiring loom as well as aftermarket discs. I have integrated the original fittings for the bulb holders, so they should just click straight in. Anyway, design has changed slightly as well. No lenses in the pictures this time im afraid. Ill put them back in again next time.

This new design will allow a few different configurations:

- Bulbs with lenses
- Bulbs without lenses
- Discs with lenses
- Discs without lenses

And all with or without the perspex cover. anyway, to the pics....

[Kustom]

Looks good dwayne!!

[dstocks]

I just got some of the LED bulbs from Hong Kong (indicator/reverse). Was surprised that they are low profile enough to fit under the lenses. So the bulb issue is solved! (and fairly cheaply at that).

[aza013]

I'm loving how these are coming along .

[Kustom]

I just got some of the LED bulbs from Hong Kong (indicator/reverse). Was surprised that they are low profile enough to fit under the lenses. So the bulb issue is solved! (and fairly cheaply at that).

Good to hear mate