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Backlit Toyota Grill Logo Mod

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by ToyotaKTMracing, Sep 15, 2012.

  1. Sep 15, 2012 at 11:45 PM
    #1
    ToyotaKTMracing

    ToyotaKTMracing [OP] The Blue Warrior

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    I did this mod myself and came up with the idea so here is my write up on it. :D Sorry for the low quality photos. Especially the first and last one. :eek:

    To do this mod, you will need some plexiglass, super glue, and a 12v 48 LED panel for a dome light: http://www.amazon.com/BestDealUSA-W...8943&sr=1-1&keywords=BestDealUSA+12+led+panel
    Make sure to test your light before doing this mod to make sure it works! (My wires were backwards on my panel. Red was negative and black was positive.)

    [​IMG]

    1st step is to cut off the adapter at the end of the 2 wires from the LED panel and attach two connector to the wire like so:

    [​IMG]

    After you have done that step, you can now move on to working with the plexiglass. To get the plexiglass part that goes behind the logo, you need to cut out a piece of plexiglass that will fit inside the grill to where it's laying on the back side of the logo so you can trace the back side of the logo where the plexiglass will connect to.

    [​IMG]

    After you have it traced, you can now cut the logo shape out of the piece of plexiglass. NOTE: The logo shape DOES NOT have to be cut perfect. As long as it covers the holes with a little over hang.

    [​IMG]

    After you have the shape cut out, you will need to sand both sides of the plexiglass so the light will spread. You can also use frosted plexiglass so you wouldn't have to sand the plexiglass.

    [​IMG]

    Next you will need two 1"x3" and one 2 1/2"x4 1/2" piece of plexiglass. These will be used to make the whole "housing" of the light.

    [​IMG]

    Now to bring in the super glue. Attach all the plexiglass pieces together like in the picture below. (Don't be afraid to use extra glue for extra bonding. I glued the pieces then went around the bases of the 1"x3" pieces.) The housing is used for this because it makes the light go wider so the whole light is more even.

    [​IMG]

    Then you attach the whole housing to the back side of the logo. Best way is to put glue on the back side of the logo then attach the housing to it.

    [​IMG]

    Once it has dried, you can hook up the light. (I connected mine to the battery and grounded the negative wire. Hooked up to a switch in the cab.) The panel comes with an adhesive backing, but I decided to add a little more bonding to it by putting super glue on the adhesive pad. Attatch light panel as center as you can with the logo to the inside of the 2 1/2"x4 1/2" piece of plexiglass. (Between the two wall pieces.) After everything is dried, you can now put the grill back on and admire your modified grill logo. It even lights up the radiator a little to add some extra light. :D

    [​IMG]

    ANOTHER NOTE: I am NOT held responsible if this mod violates any of your local laws and you get in any kind of trouble for it. I am also NOT held responsible if you mess up or damage your truck in any way by doing this mod.
     
  2. Sep 15, 2012 at 11:58 PM
    #2
    ColtsTRD

    ColtsTRD Well-Known Member

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    Dude thats pretty creative! Nice job!
     
  3. Sep 16, 2012 at 12:01 AM
    #3
    ToyotaKTMracing

    ToyotaKTMracing [OP] The Blue Warrior

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    Thanks! :D I just hope the panel is weatherproof. :eek:
     
  4. Sep 16, 2012 at 12:03 AM
    #4
    ColtsTRD

    ColtsTRD Well-Known Member

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    haha
     
  5. Sep 16, 2012 at 12:12 AM
    #5
    ToyotaKTMracing

    ToyotaKTMracing [OP] The Blue Warrior

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    Yeah, I hope it is. If not, I'll need to fix that somehow.
     
  6. Sep 16, 2012 at 12:32 AM
    #6
    Forster46

    Forster46 Very nice how much?

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    Well I guess that explains the issue haha.

    Nice job, it looks sweet.
     
  7. Sep 16, 2012 at 12:38 AM
    #7
    tinker_troy

    tinker_troy Well-Known Member

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  8. Sep 16, 2012 at 6:04 AM
    #8
    bulhas

    bulhas the habs fan

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    hahaha thanks for an awesome idea for my wicked raptor grill :D
     
  9. Sep 16, 2012 at 7:00 AM
    #9
    ToyotaKTMracing

    ToyotaKTMracing [OP] The Blue Warrior

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    Haha, yeah. :anonymous: Thanks though! :D
     
  10. Sep 16, 2012 at 7:25 AM
    #10
    ToyotaKTMracing

    ToyotaKTMracing [OP] The Blue Warrior

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    That's what I was hoping people would do. Do this mod or make ideas of their own. If you make something for your grill, post it!
     
  11. Sep 16, 2012 at 7:27 AM
    #11
    bulhas

    bulhas the habs fan

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    honestly i've had the idea for quite some time, mine just has a TON more lumens lol
     
  12. Sep 16, 2012 at 7:31 AM
    #12
    ToyotaKTMracing

    ToyotaKTMracing [OP] The Blue Warrior

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    Oh, I see. lol
     
  13. Sep 16, 2012 at 10:33 AM
    #13
    Fractured

    Fractured FPS-a-holic

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    Great job!
     
  14. Sep 16, 2012 at 10:44 AM
    #14
    Forster46

    Forster46 Very nice how much?

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    You should throw in a picture of where you stuck the led panel and some of the wiring.
     
  15. Sep 16, 2012 at 11:36 AM
    #15
    brian

    brian Another Traitor

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    Creative idea, not my taste and you're probably gonna get pulled over, BUT If I could give you a suggestion (since you don't have pics of the LED installed), I'd make sure you have an LED with a radial pattern if you're sticking it from the back side, or if you have a flood pattern, or spot pattern, stick it in on the edges of the plexi, that way it is not shining directly outward towards people coming down the road. Also, maybe beneficial to paint the back side of the plexiglass white, OR leave the protective backing on it, thus ensuring the light is bounced forward, and not back into your grill.


    EDIT: I see your LED"s now, didn't load the first time, that is WAYYY too much light. To each his own but you're not going to make it past a cop with that color and intensity. Use your head man.
     
  16. Sep 16, 2012 at 2:55 PM
    #16
    ToyotaKTMracing

    ToyotaKTMracing [OP] The Blue Warrior

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    It's white and our laws here you're allowed to have running lights no higher than the headlights. But it isn't really bright. Just looks like it because of the pic.
     
  17. Sep 16, 2012 at 2:58 PM
    #17
    yota04

    yota04 Well-Known Member

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    Leveling kit, all the plastic, UWS tool box! Don't plan to lift want it to be able to drive daily and work the woods as well!!
    Cover the board in silicon gel should help!
     
  18. Sep 16, 2012 at 4:41 PM
    #18
    brian

    brian Another Traitor

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    If you're running stock headlights, it will likely look blue against the warmer color of them. Just sayin. It is what it is. Where are you located?
     
  19. Sep 16, 2012 at 6:05 PM
    #19
    ToyotaKTMracing

    ToyotaKTMracing [OP] The Blue Warrior

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    WV. I'm pretty sure that's the law unless it was changed.
     
  20. Sep 16, 2012 at 7:48 PM
    #20
    ToyotaKTMracing

    ToyotaKTMracing [OP] The Blue Warrior

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    Thanks! I could try that. As long as I use something that doesn't mess up the light brightness or wide angle beams.
     

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