Blood Red VX LED Tail Light Project

[REBinc]

I'm just getting started on this, so I figured I'd share to get some opinions before I get too far in.

The Goal:
I love the shape of the VX tail lights, but I like the color of the CV8-r tail lights, so I am trying to combine the two. By removing the chrome behind the lens, I will obtain the darker red color. While I have the lights apart, I'm adding in a bunch of LEDs too.

So far I have cracked open my pair of VX tails, and stripped the chrome on the left one.


I have ordered about 200 super flux 5mm LEDs for the project (100 red, 50 white, 50 orange) off of eBay, I have not gotten them yet, but they look like this.


Right now I am planning out the board locations. For the shape of our lights, I can't simply do 1 pcb across the entire light, if I did it would be aiming the LEDs outward. My solution is 3 smaller spaced boards.



I'll update as I move along, comments welcome.

[smokin_vx]

Looks interesting. I'll be back to check in on your project.. Keep up the good work!

[wrx884]

does sound interesting man i wonder if u'll have any issues with ADR requirements after?

[Swordsy]

does sound interesting man i wonder if u'll have any issues with ADR requirements after?

I was thinking the same thing, but i think you can get them tested somewhere, not sure on cost or anything like that.

[Ozzie]

As long as the 100 led's in each light are bright enough there shouldnt be a problem.

[REBinc]

I don't have the slightest clue what ADR is. I'm in the US if I didn't mention that before, I have one of your great exports in the form of a Pontiac GTO.

OEM GTO tail lights:


With the unmodified VX tail lights:

[Slippy_Trippy]

Thanks for stealing our bootspace

The lights sound interesting, looking forward to seeing the finished result.

-Slippy

[social]

that is one dam sexy car right there, so your pontiac GTOs are like our CV8 Monaros or something?

[Slippy_Trippy]

That was the case, that's why ours had the petrol tank in the boot. The imports to US had to have the petrol tank above the axle line if I remember correctly.

[REBinc]

That was the case, that's why ours had the petrol tank in the boot. The imports to US had to have the petrol tank above the axle line if I remember correctly.

No one over here really knows the reason either. The guesses are safety concerns or clearance issues with the new split exhaust. I didn't know we affected all the Commodores, I thought it was just a Monaro thing. I'll formally appoligize for us ruining the boot, I can assure you people stateside aren't that much happier with it either. At least the G8's have massive boots.

The letter from the eBay seller said 7-10 days from Hong Kong, so it will be a little while longer before final pictures. I've started cutting the pc boards and they're fitting nicely.

[Slippy_Trippy]

It was only the Monaro. Sorry if that wasn't clear \

Holden wrecked the boot themselves in my car. Water drips in when you open it if the boot lid is wet and don't even get me started on the struts

-Slippy

[GAMBLR]

will be watching this keenly, good luck mate. will definately look different

[jamiev90]

gto's look so much better then cv8's

[Ozzie]

The gto lights look a shitload better than the VX ones IMO.

Genuine GTO lights here in Australia retail for around $700 aud.
Wheras the genuine VX tail lights are $50 aud each

[NickVR]

Nice project mate. How about using one curved board for the lights rather than stepped? That way the light can be seen better on a side view. Just a thought. There is a thread called share your modified tail lights and I posted some pics of led lights.

Click here to have a look at the post.

[rch-13z]

The gto lights look a shitload better than the VX ones IMO.

Genuine GTO lights here in Australia retail for around $700 aud.
Wheras the genuine VX tail lights are $50 aud each

Gotta remember though that the GTO lights are common as fark in the US... whereas the VX lights are rareish and sell for something like $200+ from JHP as they are "special"....

[rch-13z]

o and btw, nice project.... interested in seeing the final product!

[Calaber]

No one over here really knows the reason either. The guesses are safety concerns or clearance issues with the new split exhaust. I didn't know we affected all the Commodores, I thought it was just a Monaro thing. I'll formally appoligize for us ruining the boot, I can assure you people stateside aren't that much happier with it either. At least the G8's have massive boots.

The letter from the eBay seller said 7-10 days from Hong Kong, so it will be a little while longer before final pictures. I've started cutting the pc boards and they're fitting nicely.

I think it had to do with the potential fire risk in case of a rear ender. The Commodore/Monaro tank placement and design didn't meet US safety regs so it was redesigned to fit within the boot. Because of the low volume of production in Australia, Holden simply updated the Monaro in line with the GTO. At the same time, they were able to fit a dual exhaust system that satisfied American tastes, as the original system lacked the right sound for a Pontiac

[CANYONERO]

looks very interesting, i'll be watchin this one closely nice ride too by the way.....

[REBinc]

It's all wanting what you can't have. There are a good number of GTOs on our forum that have imported the Monaro front end, and a couple with the HSV front. The 04-05 GTO tail lights are very common, I picked up a set before for $35 shipped on eBay! The 06 tail lights (black ones posted on my car above) are a little more rare and cost about $250-300 for a set, so I'm glad those were stock on my car. The VX tail lights I was able to get for $160 shipped to the US on eBay.au.

The main reason I don't want a curved board is because I'm afraid combining a curve with the cutt off viewing angle of the LEDs would look strange at certain angles. With all the LEDs facing the exact same direction it has a uniformity to it.

I got the rough cut on the pc boards done, I still need to even them out with a belt sander when I go back to work on monday.

More Pictures:
Light Taken Apart:


Black Vs Silver Backing:


With the red lens over it (not secured, just loosely laid on top)


Straight On (Not a huge difference now, but black pc boards on the bottom will make it darker)


My next step is to remove the silver border that is painted on the back of the lens. Once I sand it off I'll repaint it black:

[rch-13z]

Even just painting the inside black (removing the silver) will creat a different look....

[jim_vt_v6_psi]

oh yeah thats look good

[REBinc]

I decided to hold off on the LEDs for now, but here is a set of Blood Red VX tails, I'll have some pictures on the car by next weekend.

[Fonzie]

Your car is already sex on wheels, but i think these tail lights will set it right off. Looking forward to pics on the car...
BTW if you end up doing the LED thing... Maybe not do the reversing lights? You might find white LED's are nowhere near bright enough over distance for practical use.

[Tsunamix]

Cars R Us do some decent LED red tailights. have you considered them ?