LED Tail light question

Cchandler · 01-01-2009, 08:51 PM

I just bought some black lens led tail lights off of ebay. So they haven't come in yet. I guarantee they don't come with instructions. So how do I make sure that these tail lights are in the same spot on both sides of the Jeep? I know the more expensive sets come with paper stencils but I guarantee these don't

WillysEdition04 · 01-01-2009, 09:01 PM

Make your own paper stencils?

Strizzy · 01-01-2009, 09:15 PM

Irishfish23 · 01-01-2009, 09:46 PM

buy a really good tape measure

Cchandler · 01-01-2009, 09:56 PM

LOL thanks, I have that exact tape measure. I just wondered if there was a trick and I found one, he broke one of his stock tail lights to get the mounting bracket, bolted it back on, then drilled a hole in the center of the bracket to make it perfectly centered on both sides of the tub. That's for anyone that hadn't found anything yet.

deltabravo · 01-01-2009, 11:58 PM

Careful measurement is about the only trick.

Tape some paper on the tub, make your marks in it to get everything lined up properly, and triple check.

Or just use a bunch of tape... which is probably better, so you protect the area surrounding the lights when you drill.

UTWeezul · 01-02-2009, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deltabravo

Careful measurement is about the only trick.

Tape some paper on the tub, make your marks in it to get everything lined up properly, and triple check.

Or just use a bunch of tape... which is probably better, so you protect the area surrounding the lights when you drill.

This is how I did my front LED's and it turned out perfect. Measure, mark, measure, measure, measure. When you think you are ready to start cutting...measure one more time to be sure. I also had someone else double check my measurements. I didn't want to have uneven turn signals.

ninemili22TJ · 01-02-2009, 07:19 AM

What do you have to drill to mount these? Just curious, its the first time ive seen these.

Cchandler · 01-02-2009, 07:23 AM

Well there are different types, the ones I bought are flus mounted with a grommet which is a rubber boot that goes around the edge of the hole and then after you wire up the tail light you just push it in the grommet and it should fit snug. So when I make mine I am going to make a Mach up hole out of cardboard to see how big the hole needs to be. But around 4"-4"1/4. You can cut this hole out with a jig-saw or a hole saw or anything to that cuts metal really.

Cchandler · 01-02-2009, 07:24 AM

There are also ones that have the light then the flange that's attached around the edge of the tail light. Then the flange has 3 pilot holes you just drill those out and then screw the flange in place.

ninemili22TJ · 01-02-2009, 08:48 AM

Interesting...I might have to get a pair now, and its all your fault.

NMLJ · 01-02-2009, 08:57 AM

Awesome write up that answers your question.
http://www.*******.com/tech_articles/led/led.html

**RnEmOvr** · 01-02-2009, 03:13 PM

i may still have my cut outs, if not get on microsoft paint and print a 4" circle

flatlander757 · 01-02-2009, 05:06 PM

I think you found it already, but I'm the one who ripped apart the stock tail light to make a template with the gold looking piece inside. Basically smash the old tail light to get the gold piece out, then cut off the flaps that hold the light bulbs on. You want the thing to be 100% flat, because you need to be able to flip it over to mirror the other side.

The hole that is off-center toward the bottom is where my pilot hole was to be drilled. Drilled it with a very small drill bit. You can always make the hole bigger, but you can't (easily) put material back!

Removed template, flipped over and bolted onto the opposite side. Drilled the other pilot hole.

Then get the hole saw of appropriate size and using your pilot hole, drill it out and SHAZAAM!! Perfect circles

It is dead-nuts accurate, and best of all no measuring or eyeballing necessary!