So while being bored waiting for the 2nd skim coat to dry, these are the LED lights I would be getting:
4" Super LED lights. - "REAL BIG" - - 1/2" clearance to the edge of my lens.



1 Pair - Red LED 4” Round Sealed Stop/Turn/Tail Lights w/ pliable plastic grommets and 3-prong plugs.

These new flush mount stop/turn/tail light with 10 red super diodes each for bright, dependable performance feature sonically sealed, waterproof red lenses and housings in single units. The all-weather molded plastic housings and durable lenses protect against corrosion. Each light comes complete with a pliable black plastic mounting grommet, an industry standard 3-prong plug, and a manufacturer's lifetime warranty. This kit contains two lights, two grommets, and two plugs.

Since I will be making my own rear brackets to mount the lights, = LED will be centered, I will be able to adjust the light assembly as close or as far as necessary to the lens to emit the perfect brightness.

And ok, so what if it doesn't meet my expectations? - $50.00 bucks on ebay or my local junkyard for another set of S4's, and I'm back to stock. It not really all that big of a risk to try something different - and at least to me well worth the risk.

And no, I didn't steal a handicap sign -Home depot - $4.99

And in regard to the body work -rear panels- , if I recall, I did a complete write up on it in the pic's only gallery.

TFitz.

 

THreshER 7, I like your style. Thanks for the very detailed updates!

 

Great thread, but please paint that bodykit. PLEASE!

 

I would like to see the center line stay.

 

I'm not deceived by the pics. I've seen it done before several times, so I know exactly what the result will be...

Those trailer lights will provide significantly less light than the stock lights.

 

So after watching American Idol w/ my wife and kids - special 2 hour show of coarse, I got back to it.
DA sanded the 2nd coat / a little more basic sanding / two coats of filler primer / quick glazing spot putty, and a can of 99 cent special flat black and I can start to visualize the look I wanted.
Still need to clean the edges, smooth out a couple waves and clean up the lens holes.
But I think the pic's give the general idea.
At present, very happy w/ the look. Now I just need to start working on the brackets - and the other light of coarse.

and NZconvertible - I don't really care what failed attempts "other's" have done - if you haven't noticed, I don't pay much stock in that. But I do know what I can do, and if I fail - you were right, I was wrong - big whoop, life goes on.
Plus- I learned how to "not" modify an S4 tail light.

So here are progress pic's.

If anyone has any "constructive" suggestions on how to design the rear LED brackets, I would like to hear your thoughts.


TFitz.

And when I say winter, - no lie.
[IMG][/IMG]

My other toy:
[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
Ok - uhm- yeah, that's my cat.

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
as you can see, I haven't finished the other rear fender yet. No glass on it yet.

That's it for now.

Future en devours:
- making my own mirror - based upon the Airmea-(sp?) design.
Only they have it scalloped and extended on the bottom, I am going to extend mine on the top to follow the window line.
-take out the rub strips completely.
-mold the wing to the body.
And other trivial things.

Thanks,

TFitz.

 

Oh..... mirrors huh :P Would be very interested in how that turns out . See as how those "aero type" S5 mirrors are like 30+ bucks a side

 

Actually, they are more like $120.00 for a good used set:
If you look at the pic, you can see how it extends on the bottom. I am basically going to reverse the design and extend the top.
A Little Photo shop magic . . .
I am going to make mine more like three angles though coming from the front point. I don't really like the perfect round look. Doesn't really fit my car. And I am going to add more of a scalloped curve on the back.
This should be a pretty easy project. And i think it will really enhance the look of the car compared to stock.
Pretty excited about this one!
Need to finish the tails first though.

And i figured out that if I don't like the tails look. The design I used-plastic forms - the lenses themselves have never been touched. I would just cut off what I did, sand down as needed, wet sand, and I would have my S4's back like nothing was ever done on them.
Kinda liking RRTEC's idea. - but w/ my own twist I'm sure.

TFitz.

 

Nice blazer, I like it. I got a 79 on 10" of lift with 38" swampers.

 

It looks like you ended up with the cleanest possible version of what you intended. It looks better than a cheap eBay sticker kit. That said, I dislike it.

Your body kit is pretty fantastic, tho! Throw some S5 tails on there, or even back to some stock s4 tails (they look good on a black car), and it'll look even sexier

 

your idea? Was that you trying to sell this exact same "conversion" on Ebay for $45 a pop a while ago?

 

The ebay 'conversion' is a sticker. This is much more elaborate, it just looks effectively the same.

 

why not just use the jdm lights they look better

 

i had those bomex mirrors on my s13 for a while, found em at a junkyard so i got em cheap.. I cut the swoops off.. looked pretty clean.

this pic was photoshopped btw

 

would look =kind of cool if you did like 8 smaller circles

 

Got my garage as dark as possible, and using my battery that hasn't started the car in about a month snapped a few shots:
So you tell me, w/ the car not running =not getting charged - this was the result:
And of coarse, you can't capture the true light intensity in a photo.

[IMG][/IMG]
Tail lights only

[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
Brake lights

[IMG][/IMG]
Reverse and signal lights

[IMG][/IMG]
Brake lights on w/ garage lights on.

[IMG][/IMG]
Overall look - pushed car forward in the garage - for me "Killin it"

So the results are in:
Can I be seen? -Hell Yeah!
Are the lights big enough? - I believe so - will need to do a distance test in the future.
Definitely need to add side signals, but the rear signals are easily seen.

Did I succeed in my goal? - In my opinion, no question.

Still have to clean them up.
Will do final shoot when have both completed. - and maybe glassed/molded into the car.

My next project: kinda mentioned in the previous thread.
Aero mirrors:
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

Thanks,

So, final thoughts, good, indifferent, scathing criticism?

Thanks,

TFitz.

 

Why not just buy some s5 tails?? lol.

 

LoL

Read the thread. He likes to be different, S5 tails aren't different enough.

 

by 'jdm', do you happen to mean Series 5?

 

Way to bring the YAY into this!

 

no offense but the way these are being made make them look ugly and i wouldnt want them on my rx7.... but props to you for actually making something different i guess...

 

This website sure is funny sometimes. Good job, and way to DIY!

 

 

I whould like them more if you got rid of the center bar that runs through them and got rid of what is left of the reflective square in the outer light.

 

Lol any light is gonna look bright when you shoot straight at it at f/2.8 and 1/8 shutter speed.

-metal