Hi guys,
It's been a while since I've posted...things are just nuts now with all this great weather.
Ahhhh...this post isn't really related to bumps...but I would like to share the idea of LEDs utilized for a build and how we incorporated them with existing lenses. I know that some members on Fordification have discussed, considered and used LEDs giving their trucks a modern feel.
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I myself have some ideas where LEDs will be used - not only the taillights - when I get my '70 Ford pickup.
LED lights are a really cool touch to any build. They're brighter than the typical bulb style and use much less energy. Here are some shots of LEDs being incorporated with another Ford part on Rhythm. I had initially used white LEDs behind the lenses(pictured below) however, discovered that they were kinda dim. After some thought, we decided to try red LEDs....BINGO! It's all about the length of the light wave...red lens with red LEDs. Soo, they were all changed(94 bulbs per light) to the red type making a huge difference.
The LEDs are set up in two rings. The outer ring indicated running and turn signals while the centre indicates the brakes.
This is what they look like installed(only running lights on) and was taken before the white LEDs were changed to red...so they're not as bight during daylight hours as they are now. At night it's a totally different experience. When I get a moment I need to take a new picture of the new LEDs in action.
As you guys might have figured out by now, these particular taillight lenses came from a '57 Fairlane. I wanted to create a 'turbo' effect on each side of the vehicle - influenced by the SR-71 Blackbird. One night on my way home from work I saw a Fairlane for sale. On a whim I stopped in to ask the owner if he had any left over parts - specifically the taillights. As it turned out, he updated the ones his car and gave me the originals. It was a pretty sweet pinch...since I would be modifying them to work with the new vehicle.
The lights mounted on the sides of the centre section were actually marker lights and converted over to 6 LEDs bulbs each. They sequentially flash when the signal lights are operated - so for instance when the left signal comes on...the Fairlane light starts, then the lights on the deck each come on moving from the right of the picture to the left. The light on the far right is the centre brake light.
Hope you guys like.