DIY - Third brake light relocate to headliner

[2_slo]

Count me in too, just ordered the led strip to do this. Great idea, looks so much better than stock.

[sc0urge]

Looks nice

[meWant]

Looks really nice, great job on the mod.

[SkAsphalt]

Originally Posted by fatherfork

How much interest would there be if these cost about $100? This would include the light and all hardware. It would be plug and play.

I would be in.

[fatherfork]

Here's an update regarding the brightness of the LED strip I used. I procured some tint samples and took day and night shots through each of 5%, 20%, and 35%. I had to lay the tint on the outside of the window, so it's bubbly and the light will likely be (slightly) more visible through properly applied tint simply because of refraction and all that.


35%






20%




I'm not sure what happened to the color on this one, but it's definitely red in real life, without this yellowish tint.


5%






Obviously, 5% is very hard to see through during the day. I would say they're all passable at night, so unless you prefer it brighter, this light should work with most tint. I'll add, though, that the light is slightly brighter looking in person than in these pictures. I tried to capture it as best I could, but on a white car, getting the exposure of the lights right is tricky.


Regarding availability of these kits, I'm still working on the logistics of making them (the money part), and it will likely be a few weeks before I'm comfortable selling them. This will also give me time to refine the design and test a few more ideas, so hang tight if you are interested in buying one.

[t.chk]

Originally Posted by fatherfork

Here's an update regarding the brightness of the LED strip I used. I procured some tint samples and took day and night shots through each of 5%, 20%, and 35%. I had to lay the tint on the outside of the window, so it's bubbly and the light will likely be (slightly) more visible through properly applied tint simply because of refraction and all that.

-snip-

Regarding availability of these kits, I'm still working on the logistics of making them (the money part), and it will likely be a few weeks before I'm comfortable selling them. This will also give me time to refine the design and test a few more ideas, so hang tight if you are interested in buying one.

Definitely digging the 35% tint with it and that's as dark as I was planning. Nice to see that it is still showing well enough in daytime testing.

If you can make one that spans the whole rear window with locations for turn signal LEDs and maybe an option for Alcantara wrap...I would pay you a reasonable fee.

Might I recommend side emitting LED's such as this since it would allow for an even lower profile (or you could double them up)...and they might be brighter.

Keeping an eye out either way.

[fatherfork]

Originally Posted by t.chk

...If you can make one that spans the whole rear window with locations for turn signal LEDs and maybe an option for Alcantara wrap...I would pay you a reasonable fee.

Might I recommend side emitting LED's such as this since it would allow for an even lower profile (or you could double them up)...and they might be brighter...

Thanks for the suggestions. Since I don't intend to start a business, I won't be offering any options with this. I'll only make it like mine because I just don't have the time or skills to take it any further. That's why I made this DIY. The interest I got was just a bonus, and I'm looking into making a few more ;-)

I did look into the side emitting LEDs, and, while attractive for their brightness, I didn't want it to simply be a light coming from the headliner. I chose the aluminum cased diffused strip because it has a clearly sized light window. If I were to go with the brighter LEDs, I'd have to make my own diffuser and this would add time and cost, which I just can't do.

[t.chk]

Originally Posted by fatherfork

Thanks for the suggestions. Since I don't intend to start a business, I won't be offering any options with this. I'll only make it like mine because I just don't have the time or skills to take it any further. That's why I made this DIY. The interest I got was just a bonus, and I'm looking into making a few more ;-)

I did look into the side emitting LEDs, and, while attractive for their brightness, I didn't want it to simply be a light coming from the headliner. I chose the aluminum cased diffused strip because it has a clearly sized light window. If I were to go with the brighter LEDs, I'd have to make my own diffuser and this would add time and cost, which I just can't do.

The side emitting ones are pretty nice, and I can understand why you wanted a diffuser to make it more of a light bar. I think I will go with the LED strip since the brake lights do not have a diffuser.

I have enough side projects going right now that I was hoping someone would just do this one for me lol. But I suppose I will add it to my list of mods.

[zc06_kisstherain]

damm it looks great! very Creative to make look like OEM. mad props for you! well done

[RevoG]

I'll take one as is, just because I don't have the time to do this myself.

[Zen86]

Subbed. In for one as well if this goes thru

[FiRStsc10n]

Phenomenal craftsmanship, really impressed.

[2_slo]

I did this the other day, I used some plastic material that I had handy at work. Turned out very well, this is a great mod. Looks so much better than stock imo.

[Fett4Real]

Originally Posted by 2_slo

I did this the other day, I used some plastic material that I had handy at work. Turned out very well, this is a great mod. Looks so much better than stock imo.

pics or it never happened...