Headlight Filler Panel led turn signals & misc led dtrl's (bolt led's) [write-up]

If you use those LEDs to be constant on (like as a DTRL) would heat start to be a factor? I picked up the TRS DRLs and tried to put them in the headlight filler on my 09 and the rear clearance was way too deep - hitting the headlights.

With these bolt style LEDs it appears you could cut down an amount of the thread in the back for help clearing the headlight if too deep.

TRS DRLs I mentioned earlier...
http://www.theretrofitsource.com/le...oto-x-drl-led-running-light.html#.VQWoBI7F-Sp

 

I plan on using bolt LEDs in my headlight filler for turn signals after I black out the turn signal reflector in my headlights. Probably oznium.com brand

 

Matt so the question doesn't apply if you're using them as signals then. Since they won't be on constantly.

 

Well I had some that I was running as dtrl and heat did not seem to be a factor. And yeah it is a pretty tight fit back there. I imagine you could cut them down, if you're very careful. As the wires go through there. But you'd probably bugger up the threads too unless it's a clean cut. Maybe file them. Could be possible though.

 

Sorry. Meant dtrls/turn signal my phone is goin to the junk pile soon lol.

See what toendanger said

 

Great info!!! thanks for sharing.

 

what did you splice into for the two white ones

 

The running lights. Or more specific, the marker light wiring. Used a delphi connector with multiple outputs and wired in jumpers so I could easily wire in any additional running lights in the future too. And no additional fuses. Just spliced. No problems.

 

Well it's time I finally get around to redoing these. Bought all new leds. And gonna attempt coating them. Hope this works. Ha. Gonna use the spar on my new headlights as well to try and prevent those from degrading so fast. First time I'll be using this stuff so we'll see. I think I'm just gonna dip them straight in the urethane without mixing it with mineral spirits. Hopefully that'll create a good coating and help these cheap leds last longer. I'll post updates as I go. And when I pull the old ones out, I'll show how crappily they've faired here in the az elements. They're all still working with the exception of one led that is flashing intermittently now when signaling. Thus why I've decided to get on with the new ones.

 

Well they're coated. And drying. Forgive my ghetto work station. Lol.

Pretty easy. But painstaking. Dipped just the tips in slowly to the start of the threads, let it drip a couple times, then dab it on a shop towel to soak up the excess. Tried to get them to sit straight as possible so the urethane wouldn't pool up to one edge of the led while they cure. Worked out pretty good!

 

Interesting idea, is the spar urethane similar to the stuff thats in a spray can of clear coat?

I'd probably use rustoleum spray clearcoat and do at least 2 or 3 coats per LED.

Also, oznium.com has good qaulity LEDs, but more expensive and I think the finish on mine still faded, even when I use them retrofitted in my headlights, as the parking/corner light.

 

I'm really not sure how the spray version is. But I did try spraying a few a while back with exactly that, the rustoleum clear coat, and wasn't happy with the results. I never did like rattle cans. Plus I'd like to believe the spar is more uv resistant. But I'm not too knowledgeable with that stuff. But I have been researching some stuff occasionally in preparation for my next retrofit. I'm sure there's better products out there. But more costly. And need to be ordered. The spar was a simple solution to try. And easier to coat them than spraying. Did it in my room. Plus it gave a much cleaner finish than when I tried the rattle can. However the spar does take longer to cure. Especially in full strength and not mixed with the thinner(mineral spirits). That's my guess anyways. At room temp the spar was still soft after a couple days. I put them in the cab of my truck on the dash for a day and it seemed to help them cure. Should be good by Monday/Tuesday when I'm ready to install them. Hopefully. I read somewhere that it can take 2 weeks for spar to fully cure.

Anyways.. That sucks about ozniums. I was planning on trying those out if this set didn't last. So good to know. Because for how many I need, itd be costly. At 20 something dollars iirc for the cheap ones I order, it's worth it to replace them once in a great while, especially if this coating helps.

Also, I had a thought a while back about retrofitting them in my headlights(the ozniums as they're higher quality) but knowing those fade too, I Probly won't.. Also wonder if this spar stuff would outgas even after fully cured. Idk..

You have any pics of your retro with ozniums?

 

Ok finished it all up. But ran into a bit of a snag regarding the filler panels. The leds were a BITCH to get out since i used lock washers. Guess that was a bad idea. ha. Ended up scratching off the powder coat trying to get the nuts off, as it was turning the led at the same time. Had to grab the leds with some pliers just to get the nut loose. lol. Bummer. Didn't want to turn this into a painting project as well, so I just plasti dipped them. Even though I despise plastidip.. It was the quickest and easiest solution. If it doesnt last I'll repaint them at a later time. Don't have the ability to powder coat stuff right now

Anyways.. I also thought these new ones were more of an orange/amber color comparing them to my old ones, but they're still quite on the yellow side. Oh well. And man do the lenses on the leds really help in focusing the light output. Crazy bright again. Lights up street signs and everything. ha. They really are quite blinding. So whatever. I'm still fairly happy with em. I'm just hoping the spar urethane coating on the leds helps protect them from fading to that ugly bronze color. As well as keeping the lenses on.. I also did not use lick washers this time. I was going to use some thread locker. But the fact the panels were plasti dipped, that helped to get them snugged down and probly won't loosen up. I put a pretty thick coating on em..


As you can see, the old ones look terrible.(excuse the bugs)













Also made a lil vid. Tried to show how bright they are. Especially in comparison to my jdm astar led turn signal bulbs in back which are also extremely bright. Goes to show how bright the fronts really are.
(Excuse my blue af headlights. My white bulbs went bad, and had these cheapies I bought years ago to see how they performed. Which they perform like crap. can't see anything. lol. Been procrastinating building my new retrofit. So these are just temporary until I get started on that.)
https://youtu.be/8WKlmqgVGiw

 

Hmm, lemme look for a pic....I think here's one with them on at night. They're in the parking/corner lights. The grille lights are trailer marker type lights that I'm probably going to use in my next set of headlights.

 

Those projectors and halos look amazing man. Mind heading me in the right direction of where you got them? Ive seen universal ones around but am not sure what size and all that fun stuff i need. I have the same housing as you also.

 

Well for starters, you might wanna reconsider using these housings for a retro. I've had nothing but problems with these housings. They just don't last long. And the internals reflectors aren't all that strong to hold up to the weight of the projectors. I've got new housings and new projectors and am anxious to do the new set. I may go back to the two piece units. But these lenses have degraded pretty quickly. As well as the brackets have broke. The trim on corner lens is cracked out and peeling off. The internal reflectors have popped loose (but are still somewhat aligned but crooked and can't really be adjusted). So yeah, hopefully with more caution and extra clear coating they'll last next time. We'll see.

Other than that, research the forums for how to's. And theretrofitsource.com for the projector kits and accessories.

 

Well I've been thinking about putting some more of these leds in my new plate bumper (or anywhere for that matter) for some regular dtrls, but not sure there's anywhere I can put them without it looking as nice. Certainly not drilling holes in her. lol. With the oem valence it was easy utilizing the mesh. I thought about filling in the holes with some mesh as well on the plate bumper, but idk.. Think it would look silly. At least it would with leds in the only areas that can have mesh. I wanted to try and regain the angled amber led look like I had here. Hmmm...Any ideas?

 

If you run one of my boxes you can make the turn signal bolt LED'S function as marker lights also. https://youtu.be/zX2SKxW2naY

 

Dude that is freaking sweet mang!! Why didn't I think about that or see this before. Ha. Do you have a thread for this or more details on the courtesy lights as well? Definitely interested. The only thing I'm worried about is running these leds all the time. I had some before but didn't get to run them long term to see if they'll last. As turn signals the lifetime is considerable. But running them all the time might diminish that lifetime by a lot. Certainly have me interested tho!

 

Thx.

Thread in for sale section here