custom LED tail light [Archive] - Toyota MR2 Message Board

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hotsv104-12-2010, 06:24 AMthis is the custom led tail light i come up with :)

tail light on
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740200_large.jpg
brake light on
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740201_large.jpg

this is made up of around 48 hi power led per light, end result is quite amazing mr2918004-12-2010, 08:58 AMNice how did it? hotsv104-12-2010, 09:44 AM90mm circle board with lot of led on it (need someone with good electricle skill who can make circuit board), red leds, make sure it does 2 step dim and bright (i made one with switch to select with bright mode to use just outter circle or full glow). use the factory 1157 bulb head as connection if you can buy from shop, or else can use old bulb head (brake glass and clear the glass , just use the housing to solder the wires from the circuit board onto the 1157 connection,then use glue gun to fill the connection to make sure it is solid and secure. (

need glue gun and mini cutter, use mini cutter to cut open the back of the light housing, (leave the bulb hole and support stuff on the back of the light, only cut about 1/3 of the housing enough to slide the circuit board in, then hole the circuit board down flush toward the lens (needs to be as else u wont see the circle if u didnt do this), then use glue gun to secure (make sure glue dont go on the lens), u can cut some sticks to glue down to make sure it is secure, then close the housing and seal with RTV silicon.

then all it take is just connection up the lights and way u go.

building this is not cheap as those are not cheap LEDs. but i think it is worth it :) RC MR204-12-2010, 11:16 AMdamn dude thats nicee. how long it take u? mr2stealth04-12-2010, 11:43 AMDam, very nice! Maybe thinking about manufacturing them? lol hotsv104-12-2010, 02:13 PMmanufactorying this depends on how many ppl wants it, but the cost for building it is not cheap, it will be at least $250US+postage(postage easily another $50US as its posted using express mail). at current currency, as its lot of work to build it. its not cheap thats why no body is building it. hotsv104-12-2010, 02:17 PMtake a full on 2-3 day just to build one~... fitted. need to be very careful as you only have 1 chance cutting it up, reason for using hot glue gun is so is easy to remove if anything goes wrong, it will still require you do cut ur light up and insert the light circuit board in & glue it back up. again, need to becareful not to put glue on the lens..

i am sure some ppl here can find better way fitting this led board, :) its up to ur imagination how to fit it. :) hotsv104-12-2010, 02:37 PMif anyone is capable of opening up the whole light housing would be super. but just need to make sure its sealed properly once put back together, i prefer cutting for mantinence reason. Archidamus-R04-12-2010, 06:30 PMI particularly like the floral print . . . :p

Nice lights though. :) killermillermr204-12-2010, 07:06 PMVery nice, I like it. I assume those are white pannel LEDs for the reverse as well? hotsv104-13-2010, 02:58 AMyes those are super flux white led, 24 per panal, will get blinded if you are behind me and i happened to be reversing.

those brake led are super flux also, 196 of them. hotsv104-13-2010, 03:00 AMwhen my car finished building i will take some night shots to show what it looked like at nite. RC MR204-20-2010, 06:53 AMthats nice man cant wait to see more pics of ur car! RePete04-20-2010, 09:43 AMThat is really nice, hotsv1 - great job. I don't think $300 is a whole lot of money to bring the car up to 2010, well worth it. Wish I could see those in person... hotsv104-22-2010, 03:06 AMless Led = less $$ to build, can have 12 LED make just circle glow, can even try using truck Led tail light and fit them in, but it just dont look quite the same. hotsv105-03-2010, 05:31 AMthe car is now completed
front HID
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740229_large.jpg
Front HID at nite
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740219_large.jpg
the photo with led on
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740230_large.jpg
LED light at nite
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740221_large.jpg
LED light brake mode (mode 1 and mode 2 test video)
CLICK HERE Coronas Finest05-03-2010, 08:54 AMThat's one beautiful car, where or how did you get those headlights like that? I'm about to be picking up my first MR-2 on the 8th and would love to have a set.....as well as those tailights, I mean if there in production....I don't think 300 is bad at all for that nice look STLMR2na05-03-2010, 09:14 AMThat's one beautiful car, where or how did you get those headlights like that? I'm about to be picking up my first MR-2 on the 8th and would love to have a set.....as well as those tailights, I mean if there in production....I don't think 300 is bad at all for that nice look

It's pretty expensive, those headlights cost big money and more for HID kit and the tail lights alone normal cost 300 without led conversion

Props though, looks gorgeous Coronas Finest05-03-2010, 09:42 AMI'm aware of the cost to upgrade from my 91 lighting to the 94+ and I'm still willing to put out another 300 for the LED lighting on them, that's just me though, style costs a pretty penny nowadays.....so what about the headlights where can I find those? The dollars aren't an issue right now I'm working 20 hours a day only because I want to restore an mr-2 so bad so if you could point me in the right direction and not just tell me there expensive it would be of more help.....thanks nocashrider05-03-2010, 10:31 AMrev6 head lights
Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2 (http://www.twosrus.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_30&products_id=463) Coronas Finest05-03-2010, 03:07 PMrev6 head lights
Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2 (http://www.twosrus.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=22_30&products_id=463)

NICE!!! Exactly what I'm looking for, wonder if its a DIY job......and to get back to original post...those tail lights, OP when will you produce another set? I'm willing to invest in that beautiful look! Oteck05-03-2010, 04:37 PMare these LED accesable if one of them happen to die? Coronas Finest05-03-2010, 09:11 PM^^great question! hotsv105-04-2010, 01:07 AMwell, those light rarely dies, but if one does die, just purchase another superflux and solder it back on. use hot glue gun to secure it so u can pick it off later in time, you can be creative and make bracket for the LED pie though if you are handy enough, i just cant be bothered. i am happy to build another set if anyone want a set, i will test it when i sent it but make sure those are electronics, dont drop on the floor or bend the board, becuase basically there is no worrenty if mis-handled.

yes, the headlight need fair bit of skill fitting, HID conversion can be purchased for cheap to convert those if needed. ROGUE Motorsport suggest you can buy the kit and buy aftermarket conversion hid, they say hella hid is too damn expensive. eckoman_pdx05-04-2010, 05:07 AMthe car is now completed
front HID
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740229_large.jpg
Front HID at nite
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740219_large.jpg
the photo with led on
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740230_large.jpg
LED light at nite
http://carphotos.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2960/2481/32398740221_large.jpg
LED light brake mode (mode 1 and mode 2 test video)
CLICK HERE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5DMah4pu9g)

Very nice ride. Are those 35 or 55 watt HIDs? What color temp are you running for the bulbs?


That's one beautiful car, where or how did you get those headlights like that? I'm about to be picking up my first MR-2 on the 8th and would love to have a set.....as well as those tailights, I mean if there in production....I don't think 300 is bad at all for that nice look

Besides the Rev 6 lights linked to by nocashrider, you'll need to purchase an aftermarket H9 HID kit to as the Rev6's come with high output H9 Halogen bulbs. The low beams are H9, and the high beams take another H9 set.

You can get good HIDs from here

DDM HID Kit Slim Ballast (35W or 55W) (http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=101&parent=85)

You'll need one H9 HID kit for the low beams, and a 2nd H9 HID kit if you want to do the high beams. The price is $39.95 for a 35 watt kit, and $$49.95 for a 55 watt kit.

The stock headlight wiring is really small (meaning junk), so upgrade the wiring if you're going to run HIDs. I always make my own harnesses, so if you are handy make yourself a custom harness.

If you don't have the skills, you should consider purchasing a harness from somewhere. DDM Tuning offers an HID Kit wiring harness for $15

HID Kit Wiring Harness (http://www.ddmtuning.com/index.php?p=product&id=133&parent=94)


NICE!!! Exactly what I'm looking for, wonder if its a DIY job......and to get back to original post...those tail lights, OP when will you produce another set? I'm willing to invest in that beautiful
look!

What do you mean if it's a DIY job? They come with the pieces required, but disassembled. You have to assemble and install the lights yourself, and it will be a PITA for you to get them all fitted and lined up right if this is your first time installing them. Could take you 8-10 hours the first time you do it (and this sounds like it's the first time). The instructions aren't great, and there are all sorts of little tricks you need to do to get them to install and fit correctly which the instructions leave out.

Also, as was said, you'll want to make or purchase a wiring harness if you run with HIDs, as the stock wiring is junk.

Here are the actual Rev6 instructions from Rogue Motorsports, in case you want to read them and see what you think. Remember, these instructions leave all sorts of little tips out when it comes to installation and fitment. hotsv105-04-2010, 06:43 PMthe HID i am using is philips 6000K HID 35W H7, the DIY i meant is to fit the item ur self, becuase those head light kit comes apart, you will require some skill as you need to take bumper off, remove your old head light, make adjustment to the stopper, and BE VERY CAREFUL with those light plastic support as they are very easy to break, it require a bit of patience and remember to follow instruction step by step. if you are fairly skilled you will manage it no problem. eckoman_pdx05-04-2010, 07:19 PMthe HID i am using is philips 6000K HID 35W H7, the DIY i meant is to fit the item ur self, becuase those head light kit comes apart, you will require some skill as you need to take bumper off, remove your old head light, make adjustment to the stopper, and BE VERY CAREFUL with those light plastic support as they are very easy to break, it require a bit of patience and remember to follow instruction step by step. if you are fairly skilled you will manage it no problem.

Yeah, the headlights were a PITA to install. I never had to take the bumper off to install my Rev 6's, but it was still a PITA. The instructions left stuff out. It was the little things. They have a learning curve when it comes to installing and getting them to fit up perfectly. The headlight lids don't line up correctly, as the holes they have you swap to and use to attach the lid are not elongated like the original house. This means you don't have the same adjustment as factory for the lid. As a result, you have to file out the holes to an elongated oval with a rat tail bastard cut file to get it to fit perfectly. Heck, fitting the lid perfectly itself is a bit of a long time and error process.

They there's those little plastic clips on the Hella housings. What a pain, using pliers to twist those works. Then there's the shroud. It always fits like crap, as the holes they drilled to attach it are a little off. Also, I've seen a few cases where the all thread rod won't go all the way in without bending it a bit. Then there's the upper spotter mount. They have you just leave it there, with no means to lock it down. Stupid. I used locktight on it after I adjusted it correctly.

Despite all this, I love my Rev 6 lights and won't ever get rid of them :)

Also, Coronas Finest, hotsv1 mentioned H7 bulbs, but we have H9 bulbs here in the USA. His are H7 bulbs because the ECE spec Rev 6 kit uses ECE Spec Hella Lights (which use H7 bulbs). We use DOT approved Hella housings here in North America, which use H9 bulbs. hotsv105-04-2010, 08:48 PMyeah, that instruction was an ass to read, you described explicitly what the problem was when installing. its not streight forward for sure. but i love my light too once you go through the pain fitting it.

thx for the information about the difference for bulbs, :) i brought mine one streight from rogue, i didnt know they had 2 type of bulb. hotsv105-04-2010, 08:49 PMcome to think of it, i removed my bumper for replacing bumper and fitted the light while the bumper was off. eckoman_pdx05-05-2010, 07:29 PMyeah, that instruction was an ass to read, you described explicitly what the problem was when installing. its not streight forward for sure. but i love my light too once you go through the pain fitting it.

thx for the information about the difference for bulbs, :) i brought mine one streight from rogue, i didnt know they had 2 type of bulb.


You're welcome for the info on the different bulbs (between ECE and DOT spec). The kits straight from Rogue ar ethe standard ECE Spec Kits, which use H7 bulbs. TwosRUs (Twos R Us - Parts for Toyotas from Club MR2 (http://www.twosrus.com) sells the US Spec Kit, which comes with the H9 bulbs. Also, the US/DOT spec kit comes with 65 watt 2100 lumen bulbs, whereas the H7 kit uses standard 55 watt bulbs (which are around 1600 lumans most). That's one of the reasons a lot of ppl with ECE spec kits don't understand why people over hear say the "light output it great with Halogn's." It's the different bulbs we use, which output more.

If you put HID's in them though, it's pretty much a moot point in that regard.


come to think of it, i removed my bumper for replacing bumper and fitted the light while the bumper was off.

With all the work involved to fit these, that sounds like as good a time as any to put the new lights on. Might as well combine the work :) hotsv105-06-2010, 04:46 AMi never used the bulb they give me, i replaced it with 65w when i got the kit, cant handle yellow look in the lights. so i never know the brightness of normal 55w bulb, now i fitted the HID, i guess i will never know, very useful information though:) how you even get those info?

p.s. if anyone got other custom LED requirement let me know i can think something out :) eckoman_pdx05-06-2010, 01:58 PMi never used the bulb they give me, i replaced it with 65w when i got the kit, cant handle yellow look in the lights. so i never know the brightness of normal 55w bulb, now i fitted the HID, i guess i will never know, very useful information though:) how you even get those info?

p.s. if anyone got other custom LED requirement let me know i can think something out :)

I've just dug for info over the years. I'm pretty good at digging for info. Plus I've always been a lighting freak, so I'm always digging up info on bulb types, wattage, lumen outputs etc. Lumen output is the only true end measure of how bright (how much light output) an actual bulb has. From their, the closer the color temp is to the color of natural sunlight @ noon (which is 5000K color temp), the more usable light output you have. That's the reason a nice 35 watt 4500-5000K HID kit will outperform a 35 watt 8000K HID kit, in terms of usable light output.

As for the Rev 6 specifically, I have the US Spec kit myself, so I know what's in that. That's also why I know the install issues and workarounds. First had experience. I have looked into the ECE spec kit too over the years, and talked to people who've owned it.

Again, it's digging for info. The kit uses 90mm Hella housings, so I looked up all the info on the Hella housings a long time ago. The DOT spec 90mm hella housings use H9s, the ECE Spec Hella Housings are H7. From there I just had to figure out what bulb output (wattage) the ECE spec kit came with, and cross reference that with H7 55 watt lumen output.

Here is a link to the actual US Spec DOT H9 90mm Hella Housings with 65 watt H9 bulbs.

HL68137 Hella Projector Headlamp, 90mm Low Beam Module Halogen H9 (http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=128)


HL68136 Hella Headlamp, 90mm High Beam Module Halogen H9 (http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=127)

Here's a link to the ECE Spec housings with 55 watt H7 bulbs.


HL68151 Headlamp 90mm H7 Low-beam, ECE 55w H7 Bulb (http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=2135)

HL68152 Hella Headlamp 90mm H7 Main-beam, with city light ECE, 1KO 008 191-001 (http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=2136)

I personally want to purchase the Hella 90mm Bi-Halogen or Bi Xenon housings and wire them up. It's like the projectors in modern BMWs, etc. One housing for low and high, and shutter inside moves so it goes from projector to reflector. You can get it in a Bi-Halogen H9 Halogen setup (which you can just use an H9 HID kit for to run HIDs) or a true Bi-Xenon housing with a D2S bulb and gen IV ballast.


90BH Hella Bi-Halogen 90mm Hi-Lo Headlamp (http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=4924)

HL68141 Headlamp BIXenon 90MM HI/LO SAE 12V (http://www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=131)

I'm seriously considering getting one of those sometime soon. I'm learning towards the 90BH Hella Bi-Halogen 90mm Hi-Lo Headlamp so I can guinea pig it, since it costs less. Plus I can use an existing H9 HID kit and should fit right into the metal Rev6 box in place of the exisiting low beams, since the layout of the attachment points is the same. I can then keep the Halogen H9 housings for flashing, etc. This setup would be wired up and function the same way the E60 and F10 BMW 5 Series cars (2003 +). They use a Bi-Xenon (HID) for the lows and highs, with an inner 2nd inside Halogen reflector housing used for when you want to flash your lights. This is the way the Rev 6 kit should have come IMO (90mm Bi-Halogen or B-Xenon outer for lows and highs, inner 90mm reflector for flashing the lights). The Bi-Halogen housings are only about $100 more each ($200 total), so it's not bad price wise. However, the wiring for this on an MR2 is much harder than what Rogue did.

I'm thinking about tackling that project sometime between this winter and next summer. I wired my car up for it already for the most part, so it shouldn't be too hard at all. hotsv105-06-2010, 06:00 PMwow, light specialist, thats a lot of information, once you get the rev 6 lights there is few you can choose, very handy indeed hotsv105-06-2010, 06:03 PMrogue wiring is not the best, its cheapo wiring compare to quality of hella, i am happy with my light for now, maybe oneday i am bored i will buy different housing to use, becuase using when using flash or highbeam the low beam HID turns off really annoys me. eckoman_pdx05-06-2010, 11:49 PMrogue wiring is not the best, its cheapo wiring compare to quality of hella, i am happy with my light for now, maybe oneday i am bored i will buy different housing to use, becuase using when using flash or highbeam the low beam HID turns off really annoys me.

I didn't use their wiring. It doesn't even do anything different than OEM. All it does it split the one OEM 6054/H4 plug into two separate H9 plugs. It's pretty simple and it doesn't upgrade the wiring circuits at all.

I re-wired my car's headlight circuit 100% at the same time I installed my Rev 6 lights. I ran all new circuits with new 12 gauge wiring (much better than that 20-something gauge OEM junk), new relays, even a new fuse box for the setup.

All four lights (plus the fogs) stay on when I'm on high beams, and when I flash my highs too. So the car is already re-wired and ready for Quad HIDs as well as for a Bi-Xenon 90mm setup. I just have to buy the Bi-Xenon 90mm housings and to replace the 90mm low beam projector housings and put them in at some point.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3023/img0107small.jpg
By eckoman_pdx (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/eckoman_pdx) at 2010-03-31

Once I get the Bi-Xenon, it will be even better output, since the Bi-Xenon housings switch from low to high beam when you go to high beam, so it will function as 4 high beam reflectors + the fogs on high beam, yet still act as 2 low beam projectors + fogs on low beam. The best of all worlds. Once the Bi-Xenon's are in, it won't look any different in pictures (well, except I'll have 3 sets of HIDs in there), but the light output will be improved when on high beams since the cut off plate in the low be projector will rotate up allowing it to act as a high beam reflector. tiguy9904-01-2011, 06:23 PMWhite clear corners would look nice on your red MR2 bro! ^ ^ Shadow113104-25-2011, 12:25 PMNah, Smoked ones look better on red^^ Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2026 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.