How To: Modernized Tail Lights
03-23-09, 08:08 PM
#1
The Doctor
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How To: Modernized Tail Lights
So since I was having a hard time finding a thread with a write-up on how to do the modernized tails, I figured I would make my own. Heres my "How To" on modifying the S5 tail lights to look more modern.
Tools required:
10mm socket or wrench
Razor blade
Flathead screwdriver
Black silicone
From when I popped the hatch of my car to when I was finished, it took me about 3 hours but I was watching tv while I was wet sanding the lights so I got a little sidetracked.
I started off with not so nice S5 tails with the diffusers still installed
They were in pretty bad shape.
I removed the 8 10mm nuts on the back of each light, took the bulbs out and took them into my kitchen.
I heated each light seperately in the oven on 250 for about 2 minutes. Pull it out and pulled off the plastic slowly. I used the flathead screwdriver as leverage at this point. It made getting the lights apart a lot easier.
Make sure to remove the 4 screws along the bottom edge of each light or you'll end up chipping the light like I did.
Remove diffuser and reinstall the light cover.
Finished product
Night time
Tools required:
10mm socket or wrench
Razor blade
Flathead screwdriver
Black silicone
From when I popped the hatch of my car to when I was finished, it took me about 3 hours but I was watching tv while I was wet sanding the lights so I got a little sidetracked.
I started off with not so nice S5 tails with the diffusers still installed
They were in pretty bad shape.
I removed the 8 10mm nuts on the back of each light, took the bulbs out and took them into my kitchen.
I heated each light seperately in the oven on 250 for about 2 minutes. Pull it out and pulled off the plastic slowly. I used the flathead screwdriver as leverage at this point. It made getting the lights apart a lot easier.
Make sure to remove the 4 screws along the bottom edge of each light or you'll end up chipping the light like I did.
Remove diffuser and reinstall the light cover.
Finished product
Night time
03-23-09, 08:44 PM
#2
Pistons are gay
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Nice write up! .... How bright are they at night? Kinda hard with that pic to tell, but if the behind traffic came up would they be blinded beyond belief? Get someone to drive your car and tail them see how it's.
03-23-09, 09:49 PM
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The Doctor
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They are pretty bright. I noticed when I was sitting at a red light that when I was holding my brake, the reflectors on the ground were lit up a good 20ft behind me..
Going to spray tint them in the next week or two and will add that to this thread.
Going to spray tint them in the next week or two and will add that to this thread.
03-23-09, 09:57 PM
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The Doctor
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All the ones I saw were people posting that they had already done it and their before and after pictures. I had to read through a lot of the posts to figure out what needed to be done. A lot of the posts on there are not related to the topic...
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03-29-09, 04:58 PM
#16
The Doctor
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It's ok, I think LED taillights look cheap. You basically do the modernization, but instead of keeping the bulb, you just glue in a LED thing. I think it looks like those rice "altezza" lights honda guys buy on ebay. You can buy the piece to make them LED at walmart...
But everyone has their own opinion. The S5 modern lights look great I think.
But everyone has their own opinion. The S5 modern lights look great I think.
03-29-09, 07:38 PM
#17
its cool man u didnt have to take offense to it and try to defend it =D
just alot of people do it to stock cars and it looks awkward, seeing the individual bulb looks like seeing a nipple on breast lol
i actually wouldnt mind putting the diffusers back into my corner lense since i have a crack and without the diffuser you can see the crack easily.
just alot of people do it to stock cars and it looks awkward, seeing the individual bulb looks like seeing a nipple on breast lol
i actually wouldnt mind putting the diffusers back into my corner lense since i have a crack and without the diffuser you can see the crack easily.
03-29-09, 09:54 PM
#19
In The Twisties
It's ok, I think LED taillights look cheap. You basically do the modernization, but instead of keeping the bulb, you just glue in a LED thing. I think it looks like those rice "altezza" lights honda guys buy on ebay. You can buy the piece to make them LED at walmart...
But everyone has their own opinion. The S5 modern lights look great I think.
But everyone has their own opinion. The S5 modern lights look great I think.
I plan on doing the LED's but making my own circuit boards so they are just an outer ring for running lights and when brakes are applied the whole thing lights up.
03-30-09, 10:08 AM
#20
The Doctor
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its cool man u didnt have to take offense to it and try to defend it =D
just alot of people do it to stock cars and it looks awkward, seeing the individual bulb looks like seeing a nipple on breast lol
i actually wouldnt mind putting the diffusers back into my corner lense since i have a crack and without the diffuser you can see the crack easily.
just alot of people do it to stock cars and it looks awkward, seeing the individual bulb looks like seeing a nipple on breast lol
i actually wouldnt mind putting the diffusers back into my corner lense since i have a crack and without the diffuser you can see the crack easily.
Modifying the tail lights makes them look a TON better than stock with the diffusers. Having the diffusers in, looking at the back of the car makes it look its age. You change the tail lights and it definitely makes the back end of the car a all around better look.
I disagree 100%. I think that the bulb being exposed like that is my main beef with "modernized" tails. It does look cheap. Not too mention everyone half asses it and doesn't get rid of the honeycomb stuff on the other side of the reverse light. An hour or so of fiberglassing and sanding, would remedy that.
I plan on doing the LED's but making my own circuit boards so they are just an outer ring for running lights and when brakes are applied the whole thing lights up.
I plan on doing the LED's but making my own circuit boards so they are just an outer ring for running lights and when brakes are applied the whole thing lights up.
. I love my S4 taillights... I just need to track down a mint set
03-30-09, 08:20 PM
#24
In The Twisties
Modifying the tail lights makes them look a TON better than stock with the diffusers. Having the diffusers in, looking at the back of the car makes it look its age. You change the tail lights and it definitely makes the back end of the car a all around better look.
Whats the point of removing the honeycomb over there if my reverse light doesn't work anyway? I'm sure their are plenty of people that have done the mod that have thought the same thing...
Whats the point of removing the honeycomb over there if my reverse light doesn't work anyway? I'm sure their are plenty of people that have done the mod that have thought the same thing...
