Smoked Headlights & Tail Lights

[ZOMFGAARON]

Originally Posted by JEDI

I'm just going to go clear side markers (illegal?) and maybe red overlays on my stockers. As much as I want headlights and taillights I can't pay $700+ for the quality parts. I've had this car 4 weeks and my first illegal mod probably will be a catted uel header which I will have no problem paying $700+ for. On another side note where can these laws be looked up?

As long as you use orange bulbs in your side markers it'll be legal. DMV site will have the laws.


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[Devante]

Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling

"making my build on my spreadsheet" -> talks about ricey headlights.

ugh.

Opinions are fun, aren't they?

Originally Posted by Vincenttam

Just look for a 13 sitting at a lot somewhere. Save like 1 grand unless you want that god awful looking sharkfin.

I see what you're saying, but to be honest, I'd rather spend a grand and have a car that hasn't been sitting around for 2 years.

Now if I could save a few grand, that'd be a different story!

[JEDI]

Originally Posted by Devante

Opinions are fun, aren't they?




I see what you're saying, but to be honest, I'd rather spend a grand and have a car that hasn't been sitting around for 2 years.

Now if I could save a few grand, that'd be a different story!

My 2013 FR-S was priced at $19,000 with 9300 miles, so I guestimate saving $5000 since car is paid for(but the car is used). Now if I financed I would of save more like $7500 after finance charges. My main reason for ordering new or buying new is I'm in complete control of paint, preventive maintenance and who has driven the vehicle. My last 2 WRX's I was literally there when they came off the truck. Stripped plastic off myself and no one else even farted in my car but me.

[F3RGY68]

Originally Posted by Devante

I see what you're saying, but to be honest, I'd rather spend a grand and have a car that hasn't been sitting around for 2 years.

Now if I could save a few grand, that'd be a different story!

If it helps I saved about $8,325 on a 10 series; first owner, bought with 74 miles.

On topic, I wouldn't do smoked lenses. Fingers will be pointed at you in an accident, and they remind me of spray painted nite-shades lights. If it has to be modified, keep it red or clear.

[Vincenttam]

i paid 27400 otd for my 13 and i bought it September of 2013. I paid near full price but the odometer reading 6 miles is priceless <3

[Devante]

Originally Posted by F3RGY68

If it helps I saved about $8,325 on a 10 series; first owner, bought with 74 miles.

On topic, I wouldn't do smoked lenses. Fingers will be pointed at you in an accident, and they remind me of spray painted nite-shades lights. If it has to be modified, keep it red or clear.

Yeah, not gonna go with smoked lenses.
Why give anyone a reason to pull you over?

Oh and I guess it's the law and all that too. :P'

Now I have a question...
Is there a difference between smoked lenses and blackened housing?
For instance, these let you choose for black housing: http://www.nigel-jdmparts.com/valent...turer_id=12923

[MokSpeed]

Originally Posted by Bergen23

Edit: when things like this come up, it makes me think of people who willingly illegally modify their car, knowing full well that it's illegal, then complain about "police harassment"

I complain about it, but then I hear my BOV and I remember why it was worth it.

If you're going to smoke your head lights or tail lights OP you should be fine. Just don't be driving like an idiot to where it gives the cop a reason to pull you over. Then they'll probably bring up your lights.

[8R6]

having smoked/blacked headlight covers is illegal for safety reasons.

it should also be illegal for aesthetic reasons.

[F3RGY68]

Originally Posted by Devante

Is there a difference between smoked lenses and blackened housing?
For instance, these let you choose for black housing: http://www.nigel-jdmparts.com/valent...turer_id=12923

Yes there is a difference; blackened housing when done right doesn't affect light output and visibility. Blackened housings with enough "chrome" around the bulbs to reflect are okay, but all black everything will not give anything to reflect. Smoked lenses are pretty much all no, unless you have ridiculous light output to compensate, which negates it and is stupid imho.

I can't speak for those specifically, but I would look in detail at products. Although you can buy from companies, they are not responsible for legality issues, and many are considered offroad use only.

[Devante]

So I spent an hour looking through the vehicle code for CA on DMV's website.

I couldn't find anything that specifically forbade darkened housing.
Only thing I could find was that various lights and reflectors must be visible from certain distances when in use.
So I'm wondering now if getting smoked lenses is fine if you get bulbs strong enough to meet the visibility requirements.

Let me give some links so if anyone is inclined, they could maybe see something I missed.

Vehicle Code on DMV Website

All of these are under:
- Division 12 - Equipment of Vehicles
- Chapter 2 - Lighting Equipment

Article 2 - Headlamps and Auxiliary Lamps - link
Headlamps - V.C. 24400
- Doesn't mention visibility.


Article 3 - Rear Lighting Equipment - link
Taillamps - V.C. 24600
- Light must be red.
- Must be visible from 1,000 feet.

Stomplamps - V.C. 24603
- Light must be red.
- Must be visible from 300 feet.

Backup Lamps - V.C. 24606
- Light must be white.

Reflectors on Rear - V.C. 24607
- Must be visible from 350 feet.


Article 5 - Signal Lamps and Devices - link
Visibility Requirements of Signals - V.C. 24952
- Turn signals must be visible from 300 feet.


Article 6 - Side and Fender Lighting Equipment - link
Clearance and Side-Markers - V.C. 25100- Front clearance light must be amber, back must be red.
- Both visible from 500 feet.
- Side markers also must be visible from 500 feet.


Article 15 - Light Restrictions and Mounting - link
Color of Lamps and Reflectors - V.C. 25950
- Seems to just say what colors certain types of lights should emit.

[Teseo]

[Devante]

Um... like these?
http://www.ft86speedfactory.com/vale...tion-1949.html

[F3RGY68]

I like valenti's, they're bright enough. What I was describing earlier was generally the people that vinyl or spray over stock lights.

[mackdaddytran]

just paint your headlight housings.