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LED taillight conversion (boards, not bulbs)

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    LED taillight conversion (boards, not bulbs)

    I did this last Saturday, figured I'd throw the pics up here.

    First step is to buy this GENSSI trailer lights on amazon prime for $30. Make sure to get the 12v version.


    Then disassemble everything. The lights come apart easily, just some screws. Luckily all the LED boards are separate. You'll need to extend the wires.


    Then cut the taillights to accommodate the led boards. I went overboard on the reverse, oh well. Hot glue them in place. Ignore the splices, they're for my trailer hitch.



    Comparison pic. Driver's side is LED, passenger's side is OE.
    Attached Files
    Last edited by Kershaw; 08-07-2015, 09:19 AM.
    AWD > RWD

    #2
    All lights on. This is direct sunlight. They're quite a bit brighter than stock.


    Night time.

    Attached Files
    Last edited by Kershaw; 08-07-2015, 09:22 AM.
    AWD > RWD

    Comment


      #3
      Seen something similar done on 2002faq it's pretty cool


      1989 325is l 1984 euro 320i l 1970 2002 Racecar
      1991 318i 4dr slick top


      Euro spec 320i/Alpina B6 3.5 project(the never ending saga)
      Vintage race car revival (2002 content)
      Mtech 2 turbo restoration
      Brilliantrot slick top "build"

      Comment


        #4
        would be interesting to see a side by side night shot.

        Comment


          #5
          I think the biggest thing is that both the taillight and the brake light area pull double duty for each other now, so you get twice the brightness there. I'll see about getting a night comparison.
          AWD > RWD

          Comment


            #6
            Adding 50w 6ohm resistors to get the blinkers to blink properly and remove the brake and tail failure lights on the over head check panel seemed to have dimmed the lights significantly, as in OE is now brighter. Oh well, at least the tails are still doubled up. Bit of a fail at the end. Might search for different LEDs for the blinkers or double up the amount.
            AWD > RWD

            Comment


              #7
              Get a solid state flasher. No resistors needed.

              You can modify the check control module as well. Luke talked about it in one thread I think.

              Comment


                #8
                This is a very interesting idea. Can you please post better night time photos preferably looking at the lights head on. Thanks.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by blazinxpk View Post
                  This is a very interesting idea. Can you please post better night time photos preferably looking at the lights head on. Thanks.
                  +1 on better night pics please
                  My Garage
                  2001 Z3 2.5i Steel Gray/Black (Lexi)
                  1988 325ix Diamond Schwartz/Black (Izzy)
                  1989 325i Cirrus Blue/Houndstooth (Stitch)
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