3rd Gen---BTLM + LED Retrofit

Hey Guys,
thought I'd share my 3rd Gen tail light build thread.
Haven't seen any write-ups..so I took some pics along the way

Objectives:
-Black out the chrome inside bezel AKA BlackTailLightMod
-Remove Incandescent Bulbs--->Fabricate LED board replacement
-Enlarge reverse hole and Mount VLED Triton switchback amber/white(turn + reverse)

Warning: this is not your average retrofit..this requires CUTTING open the tail lights. They are plastic welded together from the factory..so an Oven just won't cut it.


UPDATES PICS OF NEW LED BOARDS;





Custom TRD BROPROS






I outlined exactly where to cut with white marker. A perfect cut is critical because if you cut too close you will hit the red lens, cut too far away,,, and you will see it from the outside.
I went through a few donor tails before I found the ideal location to cut.


DREMEL TIME.

tip; go SLOW you want to barely break through the housing until you see the red lens

Easy as that!


Edges cleaned up and de-burred;




Then I painted the housing with Krylon Matte black;


Now its time for the LED's;;
Designed the Panel in Fusion360;



Cut it out on my CNC.. and started wiring up the LED's;(tedious process!!)


Test fit panel..perfect fit


All done! 200LED's PER SIDE.
Go ahead and count em...i'll wait


thrown together for a picture;


Comparison to OEM tail light. The subtle difference with the black--IMO perfect balance of the factory look,, without looking like a cheap Ebay light.


Fired up


Still have a few more things to complete(turn signal, running/brake sequence)
All 3 bars will be brake light, but deciding on which ones to make the running lights.
BTW they will also be plug and play to the factory harness.

Stay tuned for more




EDIT:
Here is my completed lights;
(Brake, Turn, & Reverse)

 

wow! looks sick

 

Super impressive man! Some serious dedication

 

Thanks. The stock tail lights are just BLEH>
Plus..I really wanted to get my Orange turn signal back.

 

reverse hole enlarged. Grafted on a 7440 connector. VLEDs fit perfect.
This turn is gonna be BRIGHT

 

what are ya going to do for reverse?

 

But really...I'll be running a set of Baja Design's S2 in a new rear bumper

 

How are you resealing the lens?

 

^ Haven't got there yet. But I am thinking about a dab of JB quick weld in the corners to hold the lens and housing in proper alignment...then go around the perimeter cut line with black RTV. I used a "thin" cut dremel wheel, so the gap is very minamal(~1/16")

 

Okay,,,I think i'm going to run it this way.:
All 3 strips on PWM, ~70%low parking lights...
All 3 strips run 100% with high signal(brake)
(If I get the panels mass produced, Arduino board FTW. Program as you want it.

 

sucks they changed the 3rd gen to red lenses. clear would look so much better

 

^HA. funny,I was about to cut these open the otherday;


You need RED somewhere. If I used the Clear inner lens of the OFF-Road, with Clear Outer lens of PRO..I would have to go with RED led's.

 

Impressive!
Good choice on the the non pro lenses.
Looks SICK!

 

You have inspired me to try and source some used tails and do this, I was thinking of looking for clear outer housings with black housing with the clear brake light section. I would use some RBG LEDs with some resistors and using an arduino mini, program them to change from red to yellow/amber and sequence them to the direction of the turn signal. Would do a detailed picture write up on how to open these up and upload the f3d file so I could also mod, cut or 3d print the panels? I'm looking forward to seeing your final product.

 

I would love to see your finished product with the clear cover instead of the red. I would actually love to purchase one set from you. Looks amazing. Very impressed. Can't wait to see the final product.

 

I definitely want to see where you are going with this current one but would love to see after you have it all down if you will be selling any other modifications or if it is taking too much of your time to change yours. I would love to see your mod all blacked out. I know there is some chrome within the turn signal / old reverse back up lights that some people have painted black as well. I would love to see that mod with the clear cover. That's exactly what I'm looking to purchase. I hope you are interested in making more and selling. These would obviously need the red LEDs but I think it would look really badass and I would definitely be down to have mine done.

 

^ I might make a few more custom ones..
You have peaked my interest in an all clear PRO LED....(This would be tricky, as would need two sets of different tail lights, PRO/Limited and a set of regulars) Then I would use RED LED's instead of white. hmmm

Both sets done with final coat;


Dat Attention to detail( the reverse lights are a PAIN to mask)


Just waiting on VLED's Amber turns to get here. Might switch it up and do switchbacks for reverse..too many decisions

 

Well I'm super excited that you may make a couple more custom ones. Like I said, I would be extremely interested. Would you need a full set of the PRO/Limited set or just the clear lense cover? Do they sell just the clear lense cover by itself? I'm super stoked to see what you are able to do.