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-   -   For Sale: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY) (http://www.fordrangerforum.com/exterior-parts/20306-custom-led-modded-3rd-brake-lights-ky.html)

buggman 11-09-2010 12:06 AM

My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
As seen in my original post HERE I've been working on some LED mods with 3rd Brake Lights.

Here's a LINK to my 3rdBL pages on photobucket in case these pics get moved or lost.

Here's a LINK to Clinton's thread where he just received #0001

Here's a few pics of my original design:

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1146.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1145.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1149.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1151.jpg

As you can see this was one with the cargo lights that where I disassembled the lens from the main body to mount the led panels inside.
My newly re-designed mod mounts the LED panels from the back side of the modded housing. Sorry, no pics yet.

Removing the lens was WAY too much work & comes with a HUGE risk of breaking the lens during the process. I've found that my new design allows me to install the same number of LEDs in each of the outer sections, while only losing about 4 LEDs in the red center section.

For the all red style, I'm planning a couple different versions.

1) All 3 sections have separate led panels. Each panel can operate independent of the others. If you want to connect the two outer sections to your turn signals.

2) One large led panel. This panel will cover the vast majority of the back of the 3rd BL. It will be one large brake light panel. If you just want the most amount of red light from your 3rd BL.

3) A slightly lower cost version of the single large panel idea using a different type of LED's. Still brighter than the old incandescent bulbs, but not as bright as the full blown LED mod versions.

PRICING:
For the Cargo Lights version: $1,000,000.00 (cue Dr. Evil mad laugh)

For the All red versions: $1,000,000.00 (cue Scott Evil maniacal laugh)

(pricing may be updated depending on demand & market conditions)
Forum rules state you must have a price. :rolleyes:

Shipping costs will depend on location since the Post Office keeps cranking up the fees, I'll need your zip code (PM me) to get you a quote. I'm guessing somewhere in the $6 to $8 (estimate only) for Priority shipping in the USA, Canada will probably be a little more.

I plan on making these as simple to install as possible, yet I'll offer a few options as well.

1) T10 base bulb holders. These will simply plug into the factory bulb sockets. You may or may not be able to get the factory sockets back into the 3rd BL housing. Simple plug-in connection, although there's a slight chance the bulb holders may work their way loose over time.

2) Direct connection, easy. I'll include quick connectors so you can crimp the 3rd BL wires onto your factory wiring plug. Pretty simple, if you can use a pair of pliers, you're good.

3) Direct connection, permanent. I'll include butt connectors crimped onto the wiring of the 3rd BL, all you need to do is cut off the sockets from the factory harness, strip the wires & crimp on the connectors. Still pretty simple, but it's a permanent mod... unless you have an extra wiring harness.

If you don't know the wiring colors for the factory 3rd brake light wiring harness is....
For ALL RED 3rd bl's: Green = Positive, Black = Negative

For RED/WHITE cargo light 3rd bl's: Red center section: Green = Positive, Black = Negative, White outer sections: Black/Pink = Positive, Black = Negative.

My wiring will generally be: Red = Positive, Black = Negative. Sometimes Positive wires will be red, orange or some variation red, while Negative wires will be black, black/some stripe, green, etc. If I have to use an alternate color wire, I'll include a note or label the actual wires.

In an effort to reduce the number of leaky Rangers, I plan on running a bead of silicone around the back side over the original foam gasket. I CAN NOT guarantee 100% that yours won't leak, but I'll do my best.

My current mod includes voltage regulators to ensure the LED panels receive 12v +/-. If your truck is only able to produce 12v max, your LED modded 3rd brake light will not achieve maximum brightness... it will be close, but not quite 100%. If your truck is like mine & produces 14.4v +, your LED modded 3rd brake light will be running at maximum brightness.

I'll be updating this along the way.
Currently, I have one cargo light version that is nearly completed & I hope to get some pics later this week.

As I mentioned, the all red 3rd bl's will have a couple variations depending on what you want & how elaborate you want to get.

PayPal is good for me. I'm PayPal Verified with over a thousand transactions.

edgeman4.0 11-09-2010 03:34 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Do you have serious pricing, for those that are actually interested?

Otherwise it's too early for this 1,000,000 bs.

ranger024x4 11-09-2010 08:43 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by edgeman4.0 (Post 239252)
Do you have serious pricing, for those that are actually interested?

Otherwise it's too early for this 1,000,000 bs.

x2

brokenIN 11-09-2010 09:53 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
x3

stephen 11-09-2010 10:10 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
x4

4evermodding 11-09-2010 10:17 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
BUGGMAN when you are up and ready, I all in, I have over 7 pairs of the cargo lights and would love for them to have leds, mine are a combination of brake/cargo

bilko1 11-09-2010 10:39 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Sooooooooooo, How much in american $$$$$$s

buggman 11-09-2010 11:30 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
I knew a $1,000,000.00 price tag would get ya :)

Seriously, I'm looking at around $50.00 each + shipping for now.

I may get a little behind on the cargo light versions... my supplier couldn't fulfill my order of 5mm white leds, so I'm looking for a new supplier.

Jp7 11-09-2010 11:30 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Buggman - I need a nice mint all-red 3rd brake light that is in really nice condition (unmodified) so I can make my red-superflux light. (if you have one)

buggman 11-09-2010 11:49 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Jp7 (Post 239388)
Buggman - I need a nice mint all-red 3rd brake light that is in really nice condition (unmodified) so I can make my red-superflux light. (if you have one)

PM sent :)

buggman 11-09-2010 09:47 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
UPDATE:

#0003 is just about finished, just need to add silicone around the insides.
It's spoken for, but #0004 & #0005 should get started by the weekend.

They're going to be the cargo lights version.

On to pics of #0003...
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1195.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1192.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1182.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1189.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1186.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1184.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1185.jpg

I noticed some markings on the top of the red section after the final buffing. They look like cracks, but there wasn't a mark on it after final wet sanding @ 1000 grit. Nobody will ever notice them unless you have a lowrider or if a big rig pulls up next to you.

After these pics, I've installed T10 bulb bases to the wiring for an easy plug-in install. They can easily be removed & hard wired into your factory wiring connector if wanted.

buggman 11-13-2010 09:43 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Not the greatest night time shot, but here's one after it's installed.

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1231.jpg

DangerRanger379 11-13-2010 10:46 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
im intrested in seeing how well the white leds light the inside of the bed, can you post some pics?

buggman 11-13-2010 11:12 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
I'll have to differ to Clinton on how well it illuminates the bed... he's got #0001 with cargo lights.

Mine's all red.

One of these days... the outer red sections will be connected to my turn signals. I just have to clean out my garage to get the truck back in there this winter to run the wires & get it all connected.

Clinton also has a hand in #0005 (#0004 took a back seat) which is his old 3rd bl that he nightshaded & now has my led mod. There's some pics on my photobucket truck stuff/3rd brake lights page.

Clinton 11-14-2010 11:19 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerRanger379 (Post 243528)
im intrested in seeing how well the white leds light the inside of the bed, can you post some pics?

I will try to get you some pics, But I can tell you that my wife was in her car behind me and we stopped at a stop sign and I turned them on. She yelled at me cause I blinded her LOL!

ranger024x4 11-15-2010 06:27 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
can you make an all red one light up the whole light instead of just the middle?

winks 11-15-2010 11:25 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Buggman, I had the same thing happen to two sets of third brake lights after wet sanding them. I'm not sure where the cracked look is coming from, but mine has never leaked either.

buggman 11-15-2010 11:48 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by ranger024x4 (Post 244393)
can you make an all red one light up the whole light instead of just the middle?

I have one in the works right now. Not sure how many led's it will have, but I'm guessing over 100x 5mm red leds.

DangerRanger379 11-15-2010 12:16 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
lol thats intense... i know very well that leds are great for the types of lighting that you look at, for example brake lights, side markers, things of that nature, which is the reason they are used for law enforcment. but im not too sure on how well leds light up a givin area... does that make sense?

Falco51 11-15-2010 07:48 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by buggman (Post 244470)
I have one in the works right now. Not sure how many led's it will have, but I'm guessing over 100x 5mm red leds.

i would like to see this light... :)

buggman 11-15-2010 09:44 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
After a little designing & testing today, it looks like there is going to be right 112pcs of 5mm leds in the ultimate, granddaddy of all red 3rdBL led mods.

I tried to squeeze in 120, but it wouldn't leave room for the voltage regulators on the pcb.

I'm already thinking about a new version of this using far less leds in the same space. Maybe an X pattern with the leds to save a few hours of work & a ton of leds. I think it will still be PLENTY bright, but I'll have to wait until I have the first one finished before I get started on that design.

I'll be issuing a warning on the 112 led 3rdBL that you must wear sunglasses when looking at it. :cool:

buggman 11-16-2010 11:22 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Well, after an entire day of soldering leds, I've got all 112 5mm leds soldered in & wired up.
No pics, I was way to tired to deal with the camera tonight.

Just need to get everything coated with a few layers of liquid tape then it's onto attaching the pcb to the 3rdBL & getting everything sealed up.

I've got the same basic setup as the others, rows of 4 led's wired in series; although this time I connected every other row together... so that 1/2 of the led's are controlled by one voltage regulator & the other 1/2 are controlled by another regulator. This was probably overkill, but I wanted to make sure all the led's have enough juice going to them at all times & not to push the current limitations of the regulators. When finished, both circuits will connect into a single connector that will be a direct plug-in to the factory harness. If, for some crazy reason, one regulator goes out the other one will still operate the other 1/2 of the led's.

This one is going to be a little more expensive, due to the greater number of led's, larger pcb's required & all the work modding the 3rdBL to accept the large pcb.
I'm looking at $60.00 for this one... but it's well worth it.

Almost the entire red area is lit up with led's! :eek:

Clinton 11-16-2010 11:27 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Thats awesome!!! I cant wait to see it!

06ranger 11-17-2010 06:32 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
very interested in seeing that 3rd bl setup.

Clinton 11-17-2010 08:06 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
I got one with cargos on it and if the red is anything like that, its going to be awesome and soooooo worth it!!

buggman 11-17-2010 11:54 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
I cannot see a freakin' thing! :eek:

I shall name this big all red behemoth "NV" as anyone who sees it will envy you and want one for themselves.

Got the initial buffing done tonight, have all the black painted & the panel is almost ready to install.
I hooked the panel up to one of my power supplies tonight & let it run for a couple hours & had to tweak a few connections as usual... the solder flux tends to cause bridges when it heats up or settles & I forgot to wash it down with de-greaser before I hooked it up.

It runs cool up to about 30 minutes, then the regulators & resistors get slightly warm... still cooler than a normal bulb turned on for 5 minutes. I doubt if anyone will be setting in traffic with their foot on the brake for an hour... if so, you really need to put the thing in park & take a rest. :D

New pics will have to wait another day :(

buggman 11-18-2010 04:48 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Finally got some pics of big red & #0004 cargo light.

#0004:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1268.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1267.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1266.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1264.jpg

This one ^ is just about ready to go, waiting on the last bit of sealer to cure.

BIG RED:
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1272.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1271.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1270.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1273.jpg

It's pretty darn bright...
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...hts/nvred1.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/IMG_1276.jpg

From inside a totally dark garage, about 10 feet away from the door.
It's still got a way to go, need to assemble it, seal it & add a few more coats of liquid tape to the pcb.
I already have an OEM wiring connector attached, so it's literally PLUG-N-PLAY.

buggman 11-25-2010 10:44 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Update:

Big Red is all done, looking for a new home.

I have TWO cargo light 3rBLs completed. (one sale is pending payment, one is on hold for 4evermodding for whenever he is up to working on the Ranger)

I've got 2 more cargo light 3rdBL's almost completed, they'll need a new home too.

I'm working on Big Red's little brother; same basic design as Big Red except it has 63 led's instead of 112... it's still almost as bright as Big Red.

Did I mention.... these make great Christmas gifts too?
Drop the hint to your significant other, parents, grand parents, next door neighbor or that guy that still owes you money.

I'll even consider trades for more 3rdBL's or for a nice set of 01+ Tail Lights too... although I could really use the $$$ :o

I might even trade for a good set of OEM '96 or '00 tails.

DangerRanger379 11-26-2010 09:20 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
are you givinf away any black friday deals? lmao!

buggman 11-26-2010 02:49 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerRanger379 (Post 252294)
are you givinf away any black friday deals? lmao!

YES!!!

I'm including, at no extra cost, FREE OF CHARGE, one day only....

A shipping box full of packing material with each order.
Offer valid while supplies last, no rain checks.

06ranger 11-26-2010 04:11 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
roflmao thats a great deal... now if you were just giving away a 40 inch led tv that would be a steal... jk

pooleo 11-26-2010 05:45 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by buggman (Post 252137)
I might even trade for a good set of OEM '96 or '00 tails.

I just got some 04 tails and took out my stock '96 tails if interested.

buggman 11-26-2010 09:14 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by pooleo8 (Post 252518)
I just got some 04 tails and took out my stock '96 tails if interested.

I just might...
Any pics of your 96 tails?
I'm thinking about wet sanding my old 96 tails & re-painting them to sell or maybe using them to test some new led mods.

I won a set of '98 tails on evilBay today, but I'm not totally in love with the bubble look of the 98-00 tails. I'm planning on painting them red like I did my old 96 tails & led'ing the heck out of them. :D

Clinton 11-27-2010 02:15 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
I want the 04's!!

Demon-FX4 11-29-2010 12:49 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
what do u got left ?

06ranger 11-30-2010 08:01 AM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
hey buggman how much would you charge to do a set for my ranger w/o cargo lights if i sent you the 3rd brake light?

buggman 11-30-2010 06:32 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by 06ranger (Post 255289)
hey buggman how much would you charge to do a set for my ranger w/o cargo lights if i sent you the 3rd brake light?

PM sent

----------

Demon-FX4 11-30-2010 07:29 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
bump for legit sales

buggman 11-30-2010 10:04 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
UPDATE:
Nightshades blows monkey butts.
I ruined a perfect cargo light brake light testing tonight :mad:

There will be a For Sale thread posted shortly for a 99.99% full can of VHT nightshades.

I shot a light coat on a newly buffed cargo light & within a minute it began to spiderweb & looked worse than dog poo. I've spent the last several hours scraping & sanding that mess off. I think I'll be able to save the 3rdBL, but that stuff started melting the plastic!

Guess that does it for my future night-shading adventures.

Ranger Kid 11-30-2010 10:14 PM

Re: My Custom LED Modded 3rd Brake Lights (KY)
 
What is the temperature where your painting tho?


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