LED Upgrade to Rear Rectangular Lights

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

The crack between the LED bar and the part looks unfinihsed. Maybe a nice bead of silicone?

That's a reflection/shadow -- there's a very, very thin bead of black rtv there that looks like the little black gaskets behind the rectangular lights. It doesn't photograph well. I would bet 99% of the guys on here, if they saw it in person, would not notice that the light was there. To give you a feel, if I had seen it three months ago, I would probably have paid $250 for it. I don't think I'd go any higher than that.

[RodKnock]

Patrick, you remind me a lot of this guy. He's a "Super Genius" too:

[patrickt]

I really love tinkering with this damn car as much as I do driving it.

[Got the Bug]

I think it turned out pretty darn good and blends well. No matter how bright the standard taillights are, the center light could make a big difference.

Rodknock - I know you're a purist, but you can rest easy that your car won't get rear ended in your garage.

[poysnis]

patrickt nice job it looks professional and seems quite bright

[patrickt]

And those LEDs are actually "dual intensity" lights. The array has a separate feed that allows the lights to come on at a low level, just like your tail lights. So, if you were inclined to do so, you could have the light gently glowing by wiring it in to the tail light feed (on an ERA that's actually easier than the brake feed). The high intensity would still come on with the brakes. I might do that, just to see how it looks. I vaguely recall that most states have rules requiring tail lights to be in pairs, not that we pay much attention to that sort of stuff. Yeah, I think I will do that.

EDIT -- It occurred to me, in the shower, that I don't have to tap off the tail lights. The feed to the license plate light itself is the same feed and it's literally right there. I'd have felt pretty dumb if I had run a feed from the tail lights over to the LED and then thought of that....

[cdnus]

Looks just like Earl's design 10/27 09

http://firstcoastcobraclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=492

But that's OK, your looks good also.

Craig

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by cdnus

Looks just like Earl's design 10/27 09

http://firstcoastcobraclub.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=492

But that's OK, your looks good also.

Craig

Sounds like we have a potential patent lawsuit. Can anyone say "cease and desist"?

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Can anyone say "cease and desist"?

I've been praying he would 147 posts ago. I think 130 are his...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by cdnus

Looks just like Earl's design 10/27 09

Naaah, here's a picture of his -- quite different. Still quite nice though. I wanted mine to look more like the Lucas rectangular lights with the red lens and all.

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

I've been praying he would 147 posts ago. I think 130 are his...

I thought you were boycotting this thread. Now tell the truth Chas. -- you love it, I know you do.

[RodKnock]

First, I was only kidding, but "different"? Come on, really? That's splitting a hair there.

Chas, I think you meant 11,437 posts ago, not 147.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

First, I was only kidding, but "different"? Come on, really? That's splitting a hair there.

Well, there's only so much you can do back there. But having the additional "running light" function of the dual intensity array is certainly something that Chas. will be doing back flips over.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by patrickt

... Chas. will be doing back flips over.

Do not confuse retching with back flips.

[cdnus]

"Naaah, here's a picture of his -- quite different. Still quite nice though."

I agree quite nice & original !

Craig

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Do not confuse retching with back flips.

Only a wretch would retch at the sight of my beautiful Lucas-Style Third Brake/Running Light. In fact, I think I'll name it the "Chas. Runner." Increase Your Cobra's Safety and Your Peace of Mind with the Classy Chas. Runner.Yessirreee, it's got a snappy ring to it. Of course, you get a royalty for the use of the name....

[cdnus]

Just curious--will your reproduction light be available in kit form in the near future. I would be interested in acquiring one for my reproduction Cobra.

Craig

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by cdnus

Just curious--will your reproduction light be available in kit form in the near future. I would be interested in acquiring one for my reproduction Cobra.

Craig

You have to make it yourself, but I will outline the steps and provide the exact parts to use and where to get them. Trying to find the right LED strip that kind of looked like a Lucas rectangular light was the most difficult part. Once you have the parts assembled, building it takes about an hour or less. Wiring it will depend on your particular car, but it is not terribly difficult. I'll start a new thread, probably early next week with the steps on how to do it and where to buy the parts so that it's easy to find in the future, instead of finding this one.

[cdnus]

Thanks Patrick

Craig

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by cdnus

Thanks Patrick

Craig

Detailed Instructions, Part Numbers, and helpful pics are now in this dedicated thread: http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/show...39#post1077639

[Joy]

I just put them in our ERA. They are much brighter than the originals. I attached a photo. Hope it works.