Topic: LED Taillights

[Jeffy]

I was at Wally World the other day and saw they had some LED Taillights.  Both the 2x6 and the 3" round.  Both had DOT on them so there will eb no question of their legality.  I'm thinking about getting the 2x6's since the 3" are used by everyone.  They were selling for $26 with the gasket.  Mesa doesn't even sell the 2x6's anymore and the ones they did sell used the metal flange which I'd rather not use.  So I might head back there to pick them up.

It will be another project that I have all the pieces for but haven't gotten around to doing. :roll:

[StefanBidi]

I've been thinking about doing it to mine as well.  The thing that keeps holding me back is having to cut a whole on the body.  It's not so much the cutting that makes me anxious, it's what can happen if it's not properly preped afterward (rust).  One day, when I have the money and if I still have the Jeep, I think I'd just hack the fenders (both front and rear), in which case I'd need something like that as well.

I'm not sure if the 2x6" lights would looks that great though.  I haven't seen them, but from the dimensions it just looks too skinny, not sure I'd like that.  I've seen some that are kind of oval in shape which I think would look better (not sure of the dimensions).

[Jeffy]

The LED's I bought are from a company called Peterson and seems to be a well known brand.  Wallyworld had them for $26.72 each which isn't bad since they come with gromets.

I'm not afraid of cutting the body at all. You do know the body is galvanized don't you?  A little filing and then some paint on the edges will keep the rust away.  Ovals are going to be 2x6 or to be more exact 2 1/4x6 1/2.  It's a standard size for trailer lights.




Here's what they look like on a friend's YJ.  He's using the flange type which need to be bolted to the tub.  His LED's are the really small ones also.  They have moved to larger LED's which are more efficent and very bright.

[StefanBidi]

I think that might have been it.  Huh, they don't look as skinny and long as I thought they would.  And how are you going to do your reverse and turn signal?  Are you going to use different lights for the turn signal or use the same light for everything?

BTW, that set up looks good!

[Jeffy]

The lights are Stop, Turn and Tail lights.  Legally, you only need one white light for the reverse and you need to light the license plate.  I'll be adding either a 2" round for the reverse light on the passenger side or else use a 55w utility light wired into the stock harness.

[Jeffy]

Well, I got one side done before my Dremel decided to die on me.  I need to fix my Dremel before I'm able to continue.  Hopefully, I'll have it all finished this week. I think what I'll do is throw up some picts and later do a tech page on how to do it.  I think they look rather stunning on there.  I don't know why I didn't do them before.

[StefanBidi]

I don't know why I didn't do them before.

Absolutely!  Turned out extremely well.

[Jeffy]

Well, I took apart my Craftsman Rotary Took (aka: Dremel) several times to no avail.  It doesn't do anything when plugged in.  It didn't burn out but something broke.  Perhaps a winding or something.  In any case, I just ordered a new Dremel from Amazon.com.  They seem to have the best price and free shipping.  So hopefully it will arrive in a few day's and I can finish installing the lights.  I'm already down to three unreinforced cutting wheels which is cutting it close.  They don't hold up as well as the reinforced cutting wheels.

I did think about buying a air cut off tool instead but adter dealing with the radius on the lights, you've got to use something that's able to move around.  I think a cut off wheel would be too big.  Haven't tried a jigsaw but I think I've got the most control with the Dremel.  There's no chance of things getting out of hand.  Hopefully, I'll get this one in the bag soon.  There are a few things I'll go into detail with when the actual tech how-to.

[trailblazer95]

looks good but what are you planning to do for reverse lights?

[Jeffy]

Like I already mentioned, I'll probably use a single utility light or a 1-2" round recessed white light on the passenger side.

[DirtyGirl]

I'm just wondering how many of us went to tommyjeep.com after seeing this photo?

[Jeffy]

You telling me I should pimp my site on the rear of my Jeep huh? :wink:  BTW: I think teh gasket mounts look better then the flange mount that requres 4 screws.

I should also mention that I got fed up with the online order for the Dremel. Amazon was supposed to ship it in 24hrs but it hadn't been shipped in two day's so I went to Home Depot, spent a bit more and got the newest model.  Maybe I'll write something about Dremel's if people think there is a need.

In any case, I cut the other side and have it painted.  I'll cut the plug off the old lights and get them installed tomorrow.  I think I'll deal with the reverse light a bit later.  Maybe get something next week.

[Jeffy]

Well, I took it all apart and painted the edges of the bare metal.  Wired everything up and it all works.  Well sort of.  The turn signal doesn't work.  This is because the resistance in the LED's is much less then the old lights.  So the flasher doesn't flash.  There are two solutions to this.  One is to add some inline resisters.  The other is to get a new flasher relay.  I'm going to get the new flasher.  Then I'll think about what I want to do for the reverse light.

[Jeffy]

Well, I finished the project and have to say they look nice and are a LOT brighter then the old tail lights.  Using a variable load flasher did the trick.  It was a PITA driving around without using my turn signals.  (Yes, I'm probably in the 10% that actually use them when turning.)  SO any questions?

[Jeffy]

http://www.4bangerjp.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=363