I'll get the pics of them when I have the wiring figured out. Though I probably won't start working on the wiring till next week. We'll see what happens.

Duke

 

They look pretty good Duke...

Definitely a far cry from the 'tumor-like' ones we've seen in the recent past... but, yeah... nice tumor. What a twit... Zero positive and always a nucience... don't worry about that crap Duke.

 

Hey RP,

Thanks for the compliments, it should be fun to see how they turn out with the new wiring.

Yeah the tumor thing was annoying but as with everything, there are some individuals who have not defined their "value-add" to the site. Oh well. :santa:

Not to mention, tumor isn't my favorite word these days, regardless of what it gets used for. That and "killing someone" like some shout at video games or the harmless phrase "you're killing me Bob." Granted we've all used them but I don't think I'll ever use them again or let them slip from my mind when I hear them. Not after this past month.

Oh well, here's to the season of joy and some fun F150 projects!

On the list:
1. Protective screen for Z1
2. Leather grab handles and leather wiper control wrap
3. LED 3rd brake light
4. LED taillights
5. LED truck bed lights with LED toggle switch
6. Super-charged HID ballasts

I'll have roughly 4 straight weeks off so I'll have plenty of time!

Duke

 

I didnt purchase them at the SEMA show. I had ordered these from one of my distributors 6 months ago.

 

what exactly are "supercharged ballasts"?

 

As you know regular ballasts put out 35W. I bought a set of gen 1 ballasts off HIDPlanet.com/forums from a guy who has successfully found a way to "supercharge" the ballast similiar to the denso mod. This turns the output of the ballast from 35W to anywhere around 90W.

Heatsinks, on/off switch, and a switch to change the voltage are included.

Duke

 

So, got those tails done yet Duke?

 

so how long do the bulbs last at 90w? and is it really necessary?

 

Yeah I have the tails and the third brake light in. I'll take pics and post later today. It'll be awhile on the re-wiring of the taillights as it's going to be more work then I thought. The initial wiring plan didn't work and I'll have to open up the back (which isn't that big of a deal because it's only four screws to the circuit boards). The PWM was a pain and the **** to make though. 20 small electronic pieces (555 timer, resistors, etc) and an 1 1/2 circuit board....lots of fun.

They guys on HIDPlanet.com/forums that have tested have reported a 10% drop in bulb life when running at 90W.

I'm not really going to run the ballasts at 90W all the time. Probably only 50W most of the time.

Is anything we really do to these trucks neccessary? It'll really help on the trips I take to northern MN in the winter as more light is always a plus. I'll take output pics and show, but 50W is a huge increase in light output. They're adjustable via a switch from inside the truck so in city or traffic driving I'll have them back at 35W.

Duke

PS. I'm getting really anoyed with the CEL lights I keep getting on the AF1 and tunes. First I'm too rich and now I'm too lean. I know the truck trips codes before you actually run lean or rich. But just getting the codes can't be good.

 

U should change your name to Black Cloud Duke...

 

Haha, you're not joking! The PWM went together just fine though it was time consuming.

However, I don't think it's as easy as putting the PWM in there.

The LED taillights have two red wires and two white wires (I have no idea which wires do what).

The Stock plug has one green/yellow wire which is the brake/turn, one brown which is running lights and one black which is ground.

Then the PWM has a 12V input (which I think should go to the trucks brown running wire), then a black which goes to truck ground. Then it has two output wires, one ground and one 12V.

Ideally I'd like the lower LED bars and the upper LEDs to be brake/running and then the upper LEDs to be turn as well.

However, first I'm shooting for upper LEDs and lower LED bars to both do everything (brake/turn/running). Lets see if we can make it that far.

Both red and white wires go to the LED boards at the top. Then a black and red wire go from those LED boards to the lower LED bars. Then two black wires come off the upper LED boards to the silver box that is the load assembly.

Still following?

So now I'm thinking it requires rewiring the actual taillight and doesn't include a PWM at all.

Duke

 

*waits patiently*

 

Two diodes per side. Wire ground to ground. Brake+ and Turn+ both need diodes not letting current back flowing. Wire the opposite ends of the diodes together as well as the (+) on the LEDs. That should do the trick.

 

I'm in a hurry so I can't lable the pictures but here they are:

This is from the install so you can see everything. I even show the bracket and how to trim it ( use a sawzall). I tried a dremel at first to trim the bracket down but it was a dumb idea. The bracket is a support thing for the OEM taillight to help you install it. However, you really don't need it and it serves no structural purpose. After cutting I primed and painted with automotive paint to prevent future rusting of bare metal.

Ignore the very dirty truck. I haven't had time to clean it the past two weeks and I had to drive off road down dirt roads to get a christmas tree today.

In summation I love the taillights. The output is great and even the bottom isn't bad as the only running light. I think they blend well with the fender and even though it does stick out slightly at the bottom, I think they're as good as it's going to get. But I also like the special quality the have in their looks. It doesn't look ricy or toyota to me. It blends very well and compliments the 3rd brake light.

Duke





Brake lights. Stock on left, LED on right. Picture taken with no flash





See my gallery for more photos and output pictures. If I could get some help posting them that'd be great. It's just I have to run. I should have more time tomorrow. They're in the gallery.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...w.cfm?num=8440

 

I look forward to seeing more Duke... thanks for the pics!