Tail light mod (both lights used as brake and signals)?

I guess my semi-sarcasm needs clarification...
He opens up orders via “pay now” on the website/link. He uses the list from that process to fulfill the orders. So, he will in-fact have a list of Stage 1 and Stage 2 paid buyers. It just won’t be what most think of with the “I’m in!” Response list where you send payment later when product is ready.
He makes his product and then posts that quantity for sale. In this case, he said his plan is 50 each and possibly next weekend (which typically turns into Friday after noon - why? No idea...).

 

I was gonna say, the sarcasm is super strong with this one!

 

To clear up any confusion on how I operate & how to purchase product: I do not take preorders, wait lists, etc. Once I make the product and it is boxed up ready to go, I will then update my website with the available QTY. I also try and post in various threads an update that they are in stock and ready to buy. For this particular mod, I have been piggy-backing off OP's thread so I will end up making a new thread in the Classified marketplace to simplify and consolidate all information in 1 place.

You're always late to the party!

Good question. The VLR's are actually included in the Stage 2(which is composed of ALL VLED parts). Why I did not include them in Stage 1:
- They have a proprietary 3 pin connector. Since I am already using TYCO connectors on Stage 1, I wanted to keep the same style for the load resistor too. For stage 2 it makes more sense because everything already has that 3 pin round connector.
-Cost savings. To hit my price point it was better to go with the universal gold resistor and solder my own ends on.
-Makes stage 2 more appealing as a "step up kit"

Either way, both resistors work fine. They just have different places for their corresponding "stages"

 

Thanks for the reply Stew. Makes sense.

 

No prob

 

With the Stage one diodes, where and how do you recommend they be mounted?

 

@mesojdm
Those VLED 7443 50-LED red bulbs you're offering in the Stage 1 have poor output in the Tacoma tail lamp housings, in my experience. I compared them to VLED's older "Platinum" 21-LED 7443 red -- the newer bulbs appear about half as bright.

I also compared them to some inexpensive "ENDPAGE" brand 7443s with 54 2835-package LEDs. Again, the VLED 50-LEDs are about half as bright. Those 4014 LED packages used in the new VLED are tiny.

I ended up returning the VLED 7443 50-LED bulbs I bought.

 

That's really odd you say that, as my testing has shown otherwise...?

First, I will say stage 1 is DEFINITELY brighter than the stock halogen. On top of that, my testing has shown stage 2 to be even brighter than stage 1.
Proof is in data:
This was from ~10ft back. Not 100% scientific, but it gives you a good idea.

 

Motioning to have stage 2 brakes renamed to stage “Surface of the Sun”

 

Yeah..sorry about the photo exposure.. I'm not a photographer. The hot spot is definitely more noticeable

 

As the great jayz would say, men lie. Women lie. Numbers don’t.

 

Dope. If you find the time, please post a link in this thread to the new one.

 

I've had some messages on what exactly is needed to be done for STAGE 2. So I put together a how-to showing the modification. I tried to make it as simple as possible, and if you take your time it shouldn't be very difficult at all. Let me know if this helps!
https://youtu.be/PbCZHWGWozU

Will do

 

Simple enough.

 

Thanks @mesojdm

 

I think most people will probably go the Step bit route. Even if you turn it upside down, i would assume a little bit of debris would get in there. Is there any special way possibly to clean off that small amount of plastic that could get in there?

 

Low RPM so you get larger chips of plastic and it doesn’t fling them everywhere. If there are small traces left you could use some tape rolled up into a tube and stick it through the enlarged hole and try to “grab” any remaining bits that might be left.

 

I may have missed this.....sorry in advance if I did. Is there a projected cost for stage 1 and 2?

 

STAGE 1: $110/KIT

STAGE 2: $240/KIT

 

Been there, got the trophy... DO NOT blow air in there... unless you plan on a hopeless tribute to bad ideas. There are way too many little crevices inside. Either use the tape on a stick/straw method, or use a vacuum with a small tube/rubber hose to pick up the pieces. If you go slow, and work upside down, it will go well. Safety glasses might help.