Completely OEM Looking LED taillights!
#31
06-29-2006, 02:05 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Margaret, AL
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by F150 Duke
Exactly what I was thinking, that just seems like too little light at night coming out the bottom. It's an easy fix, but I'm not into spending $300 on something I'll need to "fix".
I'm talking with someone regarding building several sets of 04-06 F150 taillights.
The would just be OEM taillights that are modified to use an LED pattern in the place where the halogen top bulb is. This is exactly what we've been looking for and it's plug and play.
The only thing is it wouldn't be DOT approved, but honestly who is going to pull you over for this? I'm more likely to get pulled over for not using a turn signal.
The top LED pattern would be a block pattern (like all that we've seen) and it would control the park lights, brake lights and turn signal. With two LEDs on the side as side markers for safety purposes (look at the euro style LED taillight and you'll see what I'm talking about).
The company will be getting back to me soon regarding price and I'll report back. If they're interested in setting up a group-buy scenario for a discount I'll contact RP directly first to set this up according to the rules.
Duke
I'm talking with someone regarding building several sets of 04-06 F150 taillights.
The would just be OEM taillights that are modified to use an LED pattern in the place where the halogen top bulb is. This is exactly what we've been looking for and it's plug and play.
The only thing is it wouldn't be DOT approved, but honestly who is going to pull you over for this? I'm more likely to get pulled over for not using a turn signal.
The top LED pattern would be a block pattern (like all that we've seen) and it would control the park lights, brake lights and turn signal. With two LEDs on the side as side markers for safety purposes (look at the euro style LED taillight and you'll see what I'm talking about).
The company will be getting back to me soon regarding price and I'll report back. If they're interested in setting up a group-buy scenario for a discount I'll contact RP directly first to set this up according to the rules.
Duke
You rule!!
(If this happens....
)
#32
07-05-2006, 11:13 AM
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: In a van down by the river
Posts: 3,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UPDATE:
So after working with the LED taillight retrofitter I've come to the following results:
Option #1:
LED taillights that would be identical to those on an Infiniti QX56 regarding LED pattern. The only downside to this is the OEM taillight lense on the F150 has some reflector qualities and would take away from the OEM look and pattern of the QX56 design. In this scenario you would be best to swap your OEM lense with the clear lense of the aftermarket Depo LED taillight (jumping your price up $175 to get a set of Depo LED taillights)
Cost:
1) reflectors= $25 (go around each individual LED, this is how many OEM setups work)
2) LEDs=$40-50
3) Casting material=$25 (to mold the QX56 interior shroud)
4) Labor =$200
5) PCB, power mgmt. cmpts. $125 (prevents blinking problems, keeps output of each LED consistent, prevents over heating in extreme temperatures)
Total = $415-425
QX56 Taillight picture:
-or-
Option #2:
These would be LED taillights retrofitted into your taillights. You'd be allowed to pick your own LED pattern or design.
Cost:
1) Labor=$200
2) PCB, power mgmt. cmpts. $125
3) LEDs (wide angle)=$25
4) Bezeling=$50-60
Total = $400-410
Here are examples of his work. This would be how your "shroud" looks like inside the taillight. Given we don't have clear lenses it would diminish the OEM look a little, also remember you can pick your own pattern. I think 4 rows of 7 LEDs would look the best.
Either way they're both extremely expensive options in my opinion after you add the cost of buying another set of OEM taillights to use in the retrofit.
I'm going to send inquiries to other manufacturers I know and see what I can find out.
Duke
So after working with the LED taillight retrofitter I've come to the following results:
Option #1:
LED taillights that would be identical to those on an Infiniti QX56 regarding LED pattern. The only downside to this is the OEM taillight lense on the F150 has some reflector qualities and would take away from the OEM look and pattern of the QX56 design. In this scenario you would be best to swap your OEM lense with the clear lense of the aftermarket Depo LED taillight (jumping your price up $175 to get a set of Depo LED taillights)
Cost:
1) reflectors= $25 (go around each individual LED, this is how many OEM setups work)
2) LEDs=$40-50
3) Casting material=$25 (to mold the QX56 interior shroud)
4) Labor =$200
5) PCB, power mgmt. cmpts. $125 (prevents blinking problems, keeps output of each LED consistent, prevents over heating in extreme temperatures)
Total = $415-425
QX56 Taillight picture:
-or-
Option #2:
These would be LED taillights retrofitted into your taillights. You'd be allowed to pick your own LED pattern or design.
Cost:
1) Labor=$200
2) PCB, power mgmt. cmpts. $125
3) LEDs (wide angle)=$25
4) Bezeling=$50-60
Total = $400-410
Here are examples of his work. This would be how your "shroud" looks like inside the taillight. Given we don't have clear lenses it would diminish the OEM look a little, also remember you can pick your own pattern. I think 4 rows of 7 LEDs would look the best.
Either way they're both extremely expensive options in my opinion after you add the cost of buying another set of OEM taillights to use in the retrofit.
I'm going to send inquiries to other manufacturers I know and see what I can find out.
Duke
#34
07-05-2006, 12:02 PM
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: In a van down by the river
Posts: 3,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#35
07-05-2006, 02:52 PM
#36
07-05-2006, 03:00 PM
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: In a van down by the river
Posts: 3,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by RockPick
Very interesting and I'm glad you're trail blazing here .... BUT.... still a rich for my blood. I really would like to have a set but, probably not for four bills...
Did anyone ever talk to that shop in Texas?
Did anyone ever talk to that shop in Texas?
The issue with doing the retrofit myself is complex. Our lenses have some built in flutes. Not enough flutes to hide the LED bulbs and circuit boards so we need a shroud to make it look clean. However, there is just enough flutes in the stock lense to not make the LEDs look identical from different viewing angles (as you notice most all LED taillights have clear or red tinted lenses with 0 flutes.)
Duke
#37
07-05-2006, 05:52 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Margaret, AL
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by F150 Duke
I agree. $400+ is way too steep. I'm going to keep contacting other vendors and see if I can find a willing manufacturer for less.
The issue with doing the retrofit myself is complex. Our lenses have some built in flutes. Not enough flutes to hide the LED bulbs and circuit boards so we need a shroud to make it look clean. However, there is just enough flutes in the stock lense to not make the LEDs look identical from different viewing angles (as you notice most all LED taillights have clear or red tinted lenses with 0 flutes.)
Duke
The issue with doing the retrofit myself is complex. Our lenses have some built in flutes. Not enough flutes to hide the LED bulbs and circuit boards so we need a shroud to make it look clean. However, there is just enough flutes in the stock lense to not make the LEDs look identical from different viewing angles (as you notice most all LED taillights have clear or red tinted lenses with 0 flutes.)
Duke
#38
07-06-2006, 10:47 AM
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: In a van down by the river
Posts: 3,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Just got an email back from the manufacturer after I emailed him saying we couldn't do it at the $400 price.
He said he'll cutt his labor down $100 for Option #2 if we all have the same LED pattern.
"If you can muster up 10 people that are willing to pay a deposit upfront, and
ship out their tailamps, I'm sure I can knock it down to $300 total + shipping.
The only thing is every design will have to be the same."
So if we have 10 people, it'd be $300 plus shipping and the cost of buying taillights off ebay (personally I'd buy the Harley Davidson taillights).
I'm still on the fence on this one, not from a quality stand point, but a fical responsibility point. I've spent quite a bit in the past month on this truck and I think I should hedge it off now.
Duke
He said he'll cutt his labor down $100 for Option #2 if we all have the same LED pattern.
"If you can muster up 10 people that are willing to pay a deposit upfront, and
ship out their tailamps, I'm sure I can knock it down to $300 total + shipping.
The only thing is every design will have to be the same."
So if we have 10 people, it'd be $300 plus shipping and the cost of buying taillights off ebay (personally I'd buy the Harley Davidson taillights).
I'm still on the fence on this one, not from a quality stand point, but a fical responsibility point. I've spent quite a bit in the past month on this truck and I think I should hedge it off now.
Duke
#39
07-06-2006, 10:55 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tampa, FL
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#40
07-06-2006, 11:46 AM
Originally Posted by HCFR-Halligan
Doesnt sound like tooo awful bad of a price, but it would suck to buy these then a few months later someone finally come out with what we are looking for.
Edzachery what I was thinking... I can't help but think that someone is 'close' to this type of product... I'm going to wait it out.
#41
07-06-2006, 11:46 AM
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: In a van down by the river
Posts: 3,009
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by HCFR-Halligan
Doesnt sound like tooo awful bad of a price, but it would suck to buy these then a few months later someone finally come out with what we are looking for.
My only worry is the flutes built into the OEM lense and what, if any, impact they'll have on the output.
Duke
#42
07-06-2006, 03:00 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#43
07-06-2006, 06:27 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Margaret, AL
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 04procompLARIAT
I just dont understand why APC put the hump there in the first place? If they didnt have it I am sure they would make 2x more of a killing on their taillights. Why dont you email them and ask if they could make some pairs without the HUMP?
Emailing them might be a good idea.
#44
07-06-2006, 07:00 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by 04procompLARIAT
I just dont understand why APC put the hump there in the first place? If they didnt have it I am sure they would make 2x more of a killing on their taillights. Why dont you email them and ask if they could make some pairs without the HUMP?
-Travis
#45
07-06-2006, 08:19 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts