Custom Tailight Build
Posted: Thu May 24, 2012 6:48 pm
Well, we are now full steam ahead. Have spent 5 hours on a single taillight and pictures below show progress. I am designing this to be copied. Not definitely going down the group buy just yet, but certainly setting things up to minimise costs and make it affordable if we get to that point.
Firstly, what changes have I made. To see this we have to look at the issues with a stock lens:
Firstly, the folds are a problem. There are 2 folds in the stock lens (marked A & B above). If we are going to try and replace this with a clear perspex lens, we need to reduce the complexity. So ive decided one of the folds has to go.
Secondly, the indent for the boot is an issue (marked C above). To get rid of this we need to cut out the plastic above the fold. Problem is that this makes it a little ugly when the boot is open, so ive replaced it with a simplified version.
OK, now the 2 vertical supports have to go and all the crap on the back so copying it is easiuer. At this stage ive left the bulb holders in place as its possible, we can get away with LED bulbs. I think that ill end up replacing these with LED discs though. OK pics. Look past the roughness for the moment. I have quite a bit of sanding left to do. Pretty happy with the result so far though.
Youll notice that at this stage ive kept all the stock bulb holders for now.
On the back, ive got rid of all the crap and just left the supports that hold the taillight to the car
Have replaced the plastic cover on the top with a simpler version that moulds to the shape of the back of the car and fills the gap (above). Notice that there only needs to be a single 45 degree fold. This should reduce the cost of the perspex covers.
Have tried to keep the curves for the beams as much as possible (above & below).
Firstly, what changes have I made. To see this we have to look at the issues with a stock lens:
Firstly, the folds are a problem. There are 2 folds in the stock lens (marked A & B above). If we are going to try and replace this with a clear perspex lens, we need to reduce the complexity. So ive decided one of the folds has to go.
Secondly, the indent for the boot is an issue (marked C above). To get rid of this we need to cut out the plastic above the fold. Problem is that this makes it a little ugly when the boot is open, so ive replaced it with a simplified version.
OK, now the 2 vertical supports have to go and all the crap on the back so copying it is easiuer. At this stage ive left the bulb holders in place as its possible, we can get away with LED bulbs. I think that ill end up replacing these with LED discs though. OK pics. Look past the roughness for the moment. I have quite a bit of sanding left to do. Pretty happy with the result so far though.
Youll notice that at this stage ive kept all the stock bulb holders for now.
On the back, ive got rid of all the crap and just left the supports that hold the taillight to the car
Have replaced the plastic cover on the top with a simpler version that moulds to the shape of the back of the car and fills the gap (above). Notice that there only needs to be a single 45 degree fold. This should reduce the cost of the perspex covers.
Have tried to keep the curves for the beams as much as possible (above & below).
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