72-76 celica LED tail lights

**w810sc** · 19-09-2008, 06:23 PM

A bit of an up date, I finally have one side ready. It took me a while to configure the LED's so that it doesn't look too cluttered in the lens housing. There are 2 layers, a front layer and a rear layer. I used soft melted plastic from my glue gun to hold the PCB's in place so they can be easily removed
.
the 2 layers:

the small black stand between the top and bottom layer was just a prop to show the height.

Here it is how I configured the LED's:
Brake shown, for parkers imagine it a tad dimmer.

Reverse:

Indicators:

on the celica:

I still have to fine tune the indicators and reverse as well as aligning the LED's in the right direction.

What do you guy's think?

**LeeRoy** · 19-09-2008, 07:16 PM

Theyre cool and different but remind me of a ride at a carnival.

**MWP** · 20-09-2008, 02:08 AM

Hmmm, i dont like them

They need to be diffused more... maybe try adding a thin piece of white plastic between the leds and the lens?

**Steve M** · 22-09-2008, 11:05 PM

Yeah, I'm not really into that either.
Diffusion sounds good.

**MWP** · 23-09-2008, 12:24 AM

What brightness (mcd) LEDs did you use?

**willwal98** · 23-09-2008, 12:48 AM

rough up the LEDS with some sand paper, should help diffuse them a little bit. You can get diffusing leds also but I guess it's a bit late for that.

**TougeVitz** · 23-09-2008, 02:05 AM

Wow man, looks great. I play with LEDs a bit myself, and know the amount of work that has to be put into it. Even though theres something not quite right about it on the back of the Celica, it still makes for a fresh idea. Congrats!

As for diffusing, I have found the best way is to use a modified drill bit, with a ~60deg pointed tip (~30deg from parallel), and a rough finish. Helps to spread the light, and reduces the small point source look of them. Similar idea to side emitting luxeon style LEDs.

**stahlz_ae86** · 23-09-2008, 05:11 PM

Have you thought of tinting the lens'

It would take the brightness away a bit from the LED's and look tough on the colour of the car when the lights aren't on.

**w810sc** · 23-09-2008, 09:06 PM

thanks for the feed back guys, appreciate it.
I forgot to mention I took the photos using my phone so the quality might be on the down side. Tomorrow I'll take proper photos so you guys can get a better idea of how bright and defused it really is.

MWP, I used jaycar-
5mm RED 10,000 MCD CAT. NO. ZD0156 and -
5mm RED 4,000 MCD CAT. NO. ZD0154 (these should be more appropriate)

Might have to give the 10mm ones a go and space them back from the lens to cover more area.

I'll definitely give the sandpaper and drill bit defusing methods a go as well as a tinted set.
I'll keep you posted.