LED tail idea for the Matrix

[Whelan]

I'm thinking of starting this project, it may be fun. I was in U-Haul the other day with my buddy dropping off his truck when we finished moving him and his girl into their new condo. At the store they sold those round LED tails you see on trucks for like $17 a piece. That's real cheap I thought. But then I got the idea. Why couldnt I take that round LED and use it in my Trix.As you know the Trix taillamp has the red rounc rocket shaped lens inside of it (05+ clear). So my idea was to get a spare set, cut the backs out of them somehow, and mount the LED round from a truck lamp which are cheap enough, seal it with some silicone, and then epoxy it into place. I could probably sell them to people for like $250-$300 and make a profit too if it worked out well. What do you think?

[northvibe]

it would involve much work. I looked into doing the LED job to my friends cobalt...just need him to buy the extra tails and id get started....

[Whelan]

I figure a good few hours. I wouldnt be trying to pry the lens apart. I could easily work from where the stock bulb goes in and move out from there with a dremel or like tool. The hard part would be making the cutout a good fit. Other than that, the wiring is not hard as the lamps already have resistors on them to work with a car system, and the silicone and epoxy would hold up well.

[DopeVibeGT]

Heres a different style. They have RED lenses and CLEAR lense ones. This is where I got mine for my Grand Am custom Tails. http://www.buytruckstuff.com/s...ory=2The grommet type would be the best to get.

[kevera]

Why don't you see if that guy that did your 3rd light bar thingy to make a conversion like this.

[vibe007]

ooooo that would be very nice kavera!!!

[Whelan]

What is that from!!!!

[kevera]

A Celica.

[northvibe]

Quote, originally posted by kevera »A Celica.thats what i thought..... there is a mix..it comes in tiny bb's and you melt it it forms this clay type material. you form what you want and it dry's hard, very hard. So i was going to use that to make a form, then put holes in it for the led's and wire them. otherwise if that stuff doesnt work ill use something else but I know the pattern i want. OH and Those celica lights, the round mushroom things the led's are in...ive seen those somewhere....aaahhhhh i cant remember but if you do it that way it would be easier.

[kevera]

So,who's going to start making them.Whelan,North.

[Whelan]

I'm still trying to figure a way to not have to cut the headlight. Like if there was some material that you could put the LEDs on that would collapse, then expand in the lamp. I am thinking along the lines of a spider lit, but with LEDs facing forward and backwards to allow the reflector to light up as well. That and there would be more LEDs.My other idea invovles using Angel Eye rings. Cutting them to fit the shape, since it is not a full circle on the trix, then adding LEDs to it in the ring pattern, some double sided or something, and then feeding it through the opening, maybe make the opening a little larger than the bulb for my fingers to place it, and call it a day. I am just lost on how to start this, but I feel using something like the truck LEDs would be the best approach.