David Hayes DIY LED Taillight Modification
You can pretty much wire these up as you'd like. You have 2 1157 (both parking and brake) units and one 1156 (turn signal) to work from. So, the are many possibilities here.
My objective was to not hack up any of the stock wiring and everything I detailed was done without mods to the wiring harness.
My objective was to not hack up any of the stock wiring and everything I detailed was done without mods to the wiring harness.
Why not give it a go yourself? I can't think of a DIY thread with more details and pictures than this one? David did his best to step by step it, and I also attempted to. Surely between us you can figure out anything we didnt document?
I can honestly say the prices people would pay wouldn't be worth my labor time + chance of messing up your tail lights. Also, I'd feel like kind of a sleezebag for selling Theories design too. I'm totally on board with answering questions to help people though.
+2 on the above.
With just a little skill you guys can do this. Just take your time and they will come out well. I would fully support a GB version of these from SameBomb or Theorie that meet or exceed OEM brightness and remain available to technically assist. Not asking for any monetary participation. A safe product is good enough for me.
With just a little skill you guys can do this. Just take your time and they will come out well. I would fully support a GB version of these from SameBomb or Theorie that meet or exceed OEM brightness and remain available to technically assist. Not asking for any monetary participation. A safe product is good enough for me.
Posting a new link to the metal parts templates:
Mazda RX7 99 Spec LED Tailight Templates - a set on Flickr
The old Mobile Me gallery is gone!
Mazda RX7 99 Spec LED Tailight Templates - a set on Flickr
The old Mobile Me gallery is gone!
Last edited by RENESISFD; Aug 6, 2012 at 06:36 AM.
A buddy that i work with and i will be attempting this DIY later this month when i get all the parts. From the pics it looks better and is cheaper then buying an effini set of lights. At least I know if i run into any problems I can always check back here. Thanks David for breaking it down Barney style for anyone to do.
My pleasure. It's a great project and the light output will be much better than stock plus it's a unique look. Let me know if I can help.
I'm going to look into the Mustang style turn signal flashers to add on. We will see.
I'm going to look into the Mustang style turn signal flashers to add on. We will see.
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 3,243
Likes: 42
From: Kennewick, Washington
That is a good idea but beyond my capabilities. If someone knows how to wire this up I'd try it. The dimmer units I am using have an internal adjustment so the relay would need to lower power at night. They do make externally dimmable drivers too which might be better suited to the task. Any electrical experts around?
You could easily do this with two controllers. Just have the relay switch to the dimmer of the two when the headlights are on. when the headlights are off, have the normally closed pin attached to the brighter of the two.
Did this make any sense? Or do they have any controllers with an input for a certain percentage of dimming?
You could easily do this with two controllers. Just have the relay switch to the dimmer of the two when the headlights are on. when the headlights are off, have the normally closed pin attached to the brighter of the two.
Did this make any sense? Or do they have any controllers with an input for a certain percentage of dimming?
Did this make any sense? Or do they have any controllers with an input for a certain percentage of dimming?
Interesting and I will look into it. Would be costly though as each controller costs $20 and I went the safe route by wiring up two controllers into each assembly. One could probably power all the lights though on each side so I could use what I have without additional cost.
I am still waiting for my brake and turn signal LEDs light.
In the meantime, trying to study my note and do some homework on this project. I got the templates, but not sure my printer printing all parts out the right size.
would you tell me what is the height of the outside aluminum piece? from the template, it seemed like it is 27mm. is that correct? Thanks!
In the meantime, trying to study my note and do some homework on this project. I got the templates, but not sure my printer printing all parts out the right size.
would you tell me what is the height of the outside aluminum piece? from the template, it seemed like it is 27mm. is that correct? Thanks!
I am still waiting for my brake and turn signal LEDs light.
In the meantime, trying to study my note and do some homework on this project. I got the templates, but not sure my printer printing all parts out the right size.
would you tell me what is the height of the outside aluminum piece? from the template, it seemed like it is 27mm. is that correct? Thanks!
In the meantime, trying to study my note and do some homework on this project. I got the templates, but not sure my printer printing all parts out the right size.
would you tell me what is the height of the outside aluminum piece? from the template, it seemed like it is 27mm. is that correct? Thanks!
The turn signal lens is angled and you want the led insert to be straight so to achieve this, you need to cut an angle into the ring so it fits. Use the template and then trim as needed.
The template should measure about 3/4" deep at the ends and about 1 1/8" in the center.






but i sure do want some. Bryan?