quest925 Posted August 22, 2004 Report Share Posted August 22, 2004 THANKS TO THE HELP ON THIS BOARD I WAS ABLE TO EASILY SPLIT MY TAIL LAMPS APART USING THE OPEN OVEN WAY. A FEW NIGHTS OF CLEANING THE OLD GLUE, SANDING THE RUSTED BACKINGS, PRIMING AND PAINTING THE INTERIORS CHROME, THEY SHOULD LOOK PRETTY NICE... NOW FOR THE BULBS. WHAT DO I USE? EVERY PLACE I GO SAYS THEY DONT MAKE OUR BULBS IN RED. I READ ON A POST THAT THE 1157 LEDS WORK. DOES ANYONE KNOW IF THESE ARE A DIRECT REPLACEMENT/FIT INTO THE ORIG SOCKETS? WHERE DO YOU GET EM? THANKS! I CANT WAIT TO INSTALL THESE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quest925 Posted August 22, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2004 WOOPS, FOUND WHAT I NEEDED BY DOING A SEARCH...SORRY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pounder_Pit Posted August 28, 2004 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 how long did you leave it in the oven and what temp? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest c89zx7r Posted August 28, 2004 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 350 . with the oven door open . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quest925 Posted August 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 Yeah, heated the oven to 350, pulled the center rack out and used an old wood shelf to lay the light onto cause the metal will get too hot. Be careful as the outer lense will warp a bit. Make sure you have knocked out the plastic tabs holding the lights together first, or they will not come apart. I used a butter knife to slowly go around the edges and its probrobly easiest to remove the old glue while still warm. One other thing I learned is when you put them back together to heat up the outer lense again so it forms nicely to the black "frame" I bought a set of 1157's from superbrightleds.com and they require no alterations to be installed and work amazing!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mandoknight Posted August 28, 2004 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 I want to see pics of the final product. thanks Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_Venable Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 quest925, which bulbs did you get, 24, 12, 19, 30? Â I'd like to know. That and how bright they are in the cleared taillghts. Â I have a set of clears sitting in my room at home, I had to take them off because the led bulbs I got (APC, BIG mistake) gave off no light in the day, and died within a year, that and the red glass bulbs I have glow orange, and I don't like that. There 24 led bulb looks interesting, 18 narrow angle (15*) leds facing forward, and 6 facing outwards at 90*. Â Looks like it has possibilities. Thanks Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star86ionESI-R Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 yes if someone could just type up a step by step the losers(me) that would be cool and a more specific type of bulb...i cant seem to find the '1157'...i have a spare set of tails id like to try and do this too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_Venable Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 Here are the bulbs at superbrightleds.com http://www.superbrightleds.com/1157.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcrasta Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 are they bright during the daytime? Got any pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 are they bright during the daytime? Â Got any pics? http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails.JPG http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails2.JPG http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails4.JPG ^^running lights on^^ http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails1.JPG ^^brake lights^^ http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails3.JPG ^^no lights, just the camera flash^^ http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails5.JPG http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails6.JPG ^^Brake lights^^ http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails7.JPG ^^running lights^^ http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails8.JPG ^^brake lights^^ http://2.6liter.com/userfiles/StarQuester/ClearTails9.JPG ^^running lights^^ Like was mentioned above, the regular so-called ''red bulbs'' actually light up pink-orange-ish.. Â Instead of dropping $10 for one LED light :, I went to Michael's Art's supply store, and got some ''Glass paint'' or ''Fabric paint''(says it can be used on both glass and fabric), Christmas Red is what I got.. I put it all over the bulb.. After 2 years(i've repainted the bulbs once), you can see where some of it(mainly on the tops of the bulbs) has burnt off... It doesn't damage the bulb though.. I've had my tails cleared for almost 4 years now, with the same bulbs in there... **Note: pic 3 and 4: The drivers side taillight seems dimmer, but that's just the angle I was at, the reflection is the same on both sides.. I didn't do anything with the reflective stuff inside the taillight, it's stock...** Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dcrasta Posted August 30, 2004 Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 Wow they look great I might have to get a set of lights to do this to ... Looks good with the red car too so at least I get an idea how they would look on my bucket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quest925 Posted August 30, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 30, 2004 Sorry for the delay, work...I put in the R12 leds, part# 1157-R12 Red LED bulb. I only installed the passenger side and removed it as my whole car needs a resto, I have no garage so Im movin in strange phases...sad. Anyway I tried it in the day and night. The first problem I noticed was that the turn signals would not work ( noticed this after my post-sorry) When the stalk is moved there is no change. Everything else during the day is very bright. Much easier to see and brings a newer/clear look to the car, very happy. I'm worried about the temp inside the lamp though as I dont know the heat output of led's vs. bulbs, anyone know? Pics on the way, have to get my camera back...Like I said, the lenses arent perfect, but even with the small cracks the clear look helps to conceal any imperfections, even when on the car. My light backing plates or whatever they are called seem to be a lot cleaner/much shinier than the pics of the red car. I painted the whole inside of the lamps chrome after sanding and priming. Was the whole inside painted on those? They fit perfectly in the middle of the stock lamps and where mine look like, not bustin nuts, just want to make a set like those. these lamps were a nightmare in the prepping, the old glue was very hard to get out. Question?-The rubber seals-especially the ones on the outside of the lamps are cracking and are rotted on the clears I made. I dont remember if it was as bad before I split them. So be careful and does anyone have any ideas on where/how to replace them? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
starquestPilot Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 ...The first problem I noticed was that the turn signals would not work... You'll need to install a EL-12 flasher (about $8 at the parts store)... Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 That reflective foil stuff is stock.. I didn't even clean it real good when I had the light apart.. Just soaked it in hot water. They fit perfectly in the middle of the stock lamps and where mine look like, not bustin nuts, just want to make a set like those. What fit's perfect? I don't know what you mean... ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quest925 Posted August 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 I meant that because the insides of your lights arent as shimy, they arent as ight as mine and although clear, still have more of the "smoked" look, so they look in between mine and the factory which may be better for my car which is silver...Im going to do another set w/o painting the whole inside chrome. Whats an EL-12 flasher? is that an led? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_Venable Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 The EL-12 is an electronic flasher unit that can be found at your local Advance Auto Parts stores (or any similar store). The factory unit is load based, and the leds don't create enough load to trigger it. I also had another slight problem when I put leds on my car. The leds were grounding out through the third brake light, so only the outer most bulbs would come on. To fix this you can wire in a resistor between the taillights and the harness, or go the cheap and (to me) unsafe route, and just take the third brake light bulb out. I did the first (with the help of my dad, an electrician) by using the connctors of a parts car, and made a jumper between the wiring harness and the taillights. Hope this helps you out. Your leds are of a better quality, and may not ground out like the APC ones I had. DO NOT BUY APC LED TAILLIGHT BULBS, THEY WON'T LAST MUCH MORE THAN A YEAR ON A DAILY DRIVER, AND THEY WILL NOT EMIT SUFFICIANT LIGHT DURING THE DAY. Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quest925 Posted August 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Thanks for the info, just a little more help on EL-12, is it wired into the harness or is this a led/bulb that goes inti the socket? Thanks, I guess I could check at the parts store... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_Venable Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 It's what causes the lights to flash we you turn on your turn signals. Â It can be located under the dash on the drivers side, just behind (closer to front of car) the fuse box. Â There are a number of things in that area, and I'm not sure which one it is. It looks like a relay of sorts, but it just plugs into a panel of sockets. Â I'd get a pick if I had my car, but it's 5 hours away from me. Â Maybe someone else can help out Derek Found this online, printed it, and took a pic for you. http://www.we-todd-did-racing.com/wetoddimage.wtdr/wNTQyNTM1NnM0MTNkZmQzMXk1NDE%3D.jpg The turn signal flasher unit is on the far left, in "F" You can find the service manuals online at www.starquestgarage.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quest925 Posted August 31, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Wow, thanks, now I know exactly what you mean! Ill pick one up tomorrow and let you know how it works out, Thanks Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted August 31, 2004 Report Share Posted August 31, 2004 Ah, now I know what you mean.. Yeah, mine seem a little 'smokey' huh? I always thought that was just the plastic..LOL Plus, i'm sure there's a layer of dust in the housing, so that ain't helping ;D... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quest925 Posted September 2, 2004 Author Report Share Posted September 2, 2004 I just bought another set of lights on good ol ebayer and Im going to split em and paint the internal backing a chrome blue. I'm hoping it will look really good on a silver car. Whatcha think? and yes I know I will be pulled over...and Im in Fairfield county Ct where if your car is under 40k they want to know why you are in "their" neishborhood...lol > Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star86ionESI-R Posted September 3, 2004 Report Share Posted September 3, 2004 lol dude i was gonna snipe those from u but i forgot when i was polishin the wheels, ended up spendin 100$$ for a new set, but im gonna sell the ones on the car on ebay when i get these modded ones done just got em today Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
star86ionESI-R Posted September 5, 2004 Report Share Posted September 5, 2004 Question: should i reglue them myself or use the glue that is already on there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustPaus_88TSi Posted September 5, 2004 Report Share Posted September 5, 2004 Depends on the shape of your glue.. Mine was pretty bad when I pulled it apart, it was very hard, even when I had a heatgun on it.. I've taken apart other taillights, headlight for friends cars, and the newer glue is awesome, it's almost like bubble gum--very pliable.. I ended up getting all the old glue-sealer off, and used some silicone sealer to seal it back up... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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