DIY Rear foglight
 

Hello everyone!

I decided to write a DIY, my first one ever. I guess i just never took time to take detailed pictures of what i do and share with others but i really appreciate the community over here so i decided to use my spare time at home and write this up for folks that need a hand at it!

i am writing this as it goes and will modify it till its fully done up so bare with me for now!

first thing first, make sure you have the following tools:

-Jack
-Jack Stands (please use them for your safety)
-8mm wrench
-10mm wrench
-Flat tip screwdriver
-Hole saw
-Dremel (rotary cutting tool)
-soldering kit
-wire skinners/cutters
-electrical tape/heat shrink
-6mm circle connector for ground and male/female for + on tail light


0. raise and support car

1. start off by removing the two back-up light sockets
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/b0173e96.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/3d7fa2ab.jpg

2. using your flat tip screwdriver, pry out the pushpins.
[IMG]http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h219/silverdub/986be***.jpg[/IMG]

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/5adce4b2.jpg

3. take your 10mm wrench and remove the 2 bolts seen on the picture below.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/34ffb17a.jpg

4. using your flat tip scewdriver again, pry open gently the two tabs at the bottom of the lighting assembly. this is not easy so be patient, keep in mind that you dont want to break anything on your brand new car!

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/70ca8a0e.jpg

5. Locate the area that you need to make a hole

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/9721ca60.jpg

6. Source out an old corner light with the bulb and socket. Cut the old corner light and use for template. Cutting the housing will make some plastic dust in the unit, just blow it out through the hole you just made AND the back up lights holes. Do not attempt to open the housing to clean it or i promise it will break!

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/aa223655.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/4b3fc8b7.jpg

7. Once the hole is done insert the socket and bulb, skin your wires and test the results.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/a56121c1.jpg

8. Open the trunk, take the carpet out and then using a srewdriver pry the trunk latch close in order to save your battery life.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/b8e08c38.jpg

9. Remove the drivers side tool tray by grabbing it with two hands and pulling upwards. You will then hear a loud POP but dont worry its normal

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/e642c685.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/d0791544.jpg

10. Now take this piece out by prying out the 3 pushpins and then pulling the piece upwards

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/2d874583.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/db608af3.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/64f306d8.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/6f77fd54.jpg

11. Now take out the inner side cover by taking out the clips just like in the previous step.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/a752ea82.jpg

12. Disconnect the trunk bypass switch

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/bdac7cf0.jpg

13. Disconnect the backup light connector located below the trunk latch hook. Follow the harness to the grommet and pull it put from underneath the car

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/1ef3f4ff.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/4d0a3140.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/45d81dc0.jpg

14. Put the sockets back in the assy and solder 2 very long wires approximately 5 feet long. Then remove zip ties from the harness and feed a steel wire starting from the connector. You could also just tape them around the harness. When you are done feeding the wires in the harness put back new zip ties in the exact same location.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/d96c9f03.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/449e5ceb.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/fc9e7caa.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/516b568b.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/d83e3877.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/2cd957fb.jpg

15. Install the lighting assembly and feed the harness the way it was. Make sure the plastic protection is place like the picture below. Then get back in the trunk and cut the ground wire to the desired lenght and hook it up to the oem grounding point where the connector is located.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/4da18c8b.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/f86075a4.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/e3d3b0ab.jpg

16. Remove the drivers side tail light and skin a small piece of the green/yellow wire and install a short wire and connector. This way, your tail light will be removable in the future without having to cut any wires. Once hooked up protect your connector with tape or something simillar.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/4330b466.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/676983b0.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/7aac7a5f.jpg

Now put everything back together, turn your headlights on and enjoy!!!

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...b/f816d409.jpg

:popcorn:

Looking forward to the full DIY

Added to DIY Directory:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7365

Just updated point 5 to 7 as promised!

I'm very glad to see you using an OEM twist style! I have mine sitting in front of me, and plan to do this next week. :thumbup:

Just finished the write up! I hope you guys have as much fun as i did doing this and that my write up helps you out!

Max

Question on the brightness. Looks like the fog lights are a 921 bulb. You used a 194/168 bulb for the fog. Have you tried a 921 in the fog housing? Or is it bright enough?

It is a 194 but i find it bright enough, if not i will switch the bulb to an LED 194. Keep in mind that this is what i had on hand this morning. You could use which ever bulb you want to make it brighter!

Just to confirm: These function as rear fog lights, that turn on when the front fogs are used? From following the directions it seems they're always on?

Where did you out-source the light socket from?

where did you get your connector for the rear fog light?

Soldering>Crimping. Glad to see someone else doing it the good way. :)

No they turn on with the headlights. As soon as i get the oem front fogs and arm switch i will add another wiring option.

You mean the bulb and socket? Off an old corolla corner light.

i love this forum

I'm a bit confused, what is the point in this DIY? Do your rear foglights not turn on in the states? We have a switch to turn them on when the headlights are on.

Thanks for providing this DIY. But as eluded to above, a proper rear fog light should be as bright as a fully lit brake light, AND be on a stand alone switch. It should not be used in clear weather conditions. A rear fog light is not a piece of jewelry, but an important safety/visibility item to make yourself more easily seen by traffic approaching from the rear during fog/rain/snow/etc. I really wish that more cars in the US were equipped with them.

Can you post a picture of the switch for your rear fog light? I would like to see a full adaptation made to a US car at some point.

Correct, there is no bulb, no wiring and no switch on this side of the pond.

I don't see anything wrong with turning the unused light into an additional parking light, though. It certainly won't make your car less safe.

In fact, I am super-annoyed by BMW and Audi owners who drive around with their rear fog lights activated because they are bright and annoying, plus most people think that they are brake lights and slow down on the freeway when they get behind. Grrrr.

Sure. I'll get a few photos tomorrow.

Totally random but I've just see your license plate. Got the same "N86" haha kind of funny!

looks good!

Excellent

Looks awesome! Thanks for the write up!

subscribed. :)

To those complainimg about this not being switch all i have to say is just run an extra wire and a switch where you want it. As for the brightness it is very bright i can confirm that now that i saw what it looks like at night. Of course i wasnt expecting everybody to like this, this is The Internets afterall and we need some real haterz!

Nice work.

Looks good.

Last night I picked up a socket that allows the 1157 bulb (dual fillament). I also picked up two RED LED bulbs that accept dual fillament wiring and have tested it out on the bench with both fillaments 12v+ activated at the same time. I plan on doing the install tonight/tomorrow and will post pix when complete. This will guarantee the housing will be super bright!

This type:

http://www.bulbconnection.com/assets...C1028_1_fs.jpg

You could also use the second filamenr fir brakes with the fog on or not. Running both full time might create too much heat though!

I just finished my dual red 1157 bulb LED Filament rear fog light mod. It looks wicked!

And no worry for the heat, since it is LED! :)

Check it out:

http://xcelir8brz.sqsp.com/ohrex0gc9...gv?format=500w

looks good but we didn't have to do all that wiring....we just did two wires to the license plate lights and bam done...and there' no wires showing when the trunk is open..

That's all I did too! 2 Wires. Through the grommet and tapped on the drivers side behind the interior panel the parking light wires (red and black). And when looking from the bottom of the car and up, it looks factory. :)

Did you hook up the rear fog light with the front fog light switch since BRZ has stock front switch?

Just hooked it up to the license plate wire harness.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

Good DIY.

Nice to see the Mazda Triangle rotor still alive.

WOW! That looks beautiful!

How did you get the tail lights like that :/?

part number? were did you get it?

You dont want to use that if you plan on having both filaments on. On a halogen bulb, it WILL get too hot for that little space and can warm/melt your housing. Use LED if you want both filaments powered on at all times.

They don't include them as often because European Automakers don't trust Americans to use them properly.

This thread proves them right.

SUPER annoying to see people using these things when it's not foggy. They are incredibly bright and distracting.

Nice DIY.. I would use it only when the fog lights are on.

Well if this distracts you when driving, i hope you put your wife in the trunk!