JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Ok well im not a genius, but I think this will be a BIG help for some out there that want to do the mod, but do not want to completely cut their tal lamps in half. I didnt want to change anything around such as the lens colors or clear anything, but I simply wanted to remove the LED light diffuser. So this mod will not work for anyone looking to change any lenses, but will work perfectly for those that just want the diffuser gone.

The 04-08 TL was built before all the manufacturers started doing the fancy designs with LED's so the diffuser kind of gets rid of the sweet LED look. This mod gets you that nice look without jeopordizing anything. I installed one tail light and the output is still amazing. It completely changes the look of the tail lights and gives it a very distinctive look now. Similar in style to the new Audi's for example.

Now onto what I did. First obviously remove the lights and remove the LED board. Since you will not be able to remove the diffuser in one piece you will be destroying it. In order to do this cleanly without having all sorts of plastic pieces stuck in your lights I used my pencil style soldering iron. I melted the lens in areas which allowed me to basically dismantle it inside the light assembly. As you go through the process hold the lamp upside down and crack the pieces out with a needle nose pliers. It worked perfectly, no damage done whatsoever to the light assembly, not a single piece of loose plastic in the housing, and now I have a modded tail light that has not been cut in half. It only took me about 30 or so minutes to get one diffuser out.

For those on the fence with this mod I highly recommend it! Looks incredible with the lights on. Also, if this means anything to anyone, I think the assemblies actually look better because it adds a slightly shinnier and more consistant look to it. Looks cool without the diffuser in there even without the lights on.

Also, for anyone wondering, the LED license plate bulbs are from superbrightleds they are part numbers WLED-WHP. Pure white single LED's. The output is perfect and I compared it to my friends new Lexus at work with OEM LED's and it was identical in color and output. These bulbs have been working for a couple years now and no issues. Highly recommend and cheap too.

P.S. I got the all black Chicago White Sox plates to match my NBP Type S. The Sox kind of suck, but I do prefer them over the Cubs lol. Bad ass license plate though :-)


Here are some pics, enjoy!


Comparison. left has diffuser removed, right is still stock.


Another comparison side by side


Diffuser removed


Diffuser still in place


Diffuser removed with no cutting whatsoever :-)


Another shot showing no diffuser and no cutting


Tail lights on. The following pictures do not show the brake lamps on

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

good shit, James!

since, I dont really stare at the back ends of TL's, can you post a comparo shot of the rear showing one diffused and one not.

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

never seen that done before. looks like you did a great job with it. any more pics? do you have a side by side comparision with the taillights still on the car?

^my guess is no but i hope i'm wrong!

ebelp

Interesting. Do you have any pictures of the diffuser-removed taillight vs. the stock taillight when illuminated?

EDIT: hehe...all three of us just posted the exact same question simultaneously.

Dan000

iTrader: (1)

neat

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

Any videos or anything? I would love the Audi style led taillights look. They look sweet. My question is......is it similar to the accord led lights ? The 07 accords had similar led tails and they look ugly because they were tooo bright.


Let us know. And oops last one.....I would imagine this works the same with depo tails ?

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

i thought you didn't like anything audi/bmw/lexus on our TL's...?

roat41

I cant tell the difference lol...

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

This is true but I find the tails to be a bit more universal. Putting strips and angles in the headlights screams "poser" to me but this taillight mod does not. I just love the way the new Audi and Mercedes brake lights light up. Can't wait to try this!

James by any chance can you make a video ?

SharksBreath

iTrader: (33)

<-poser4life.

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Well im not sure if you are familiar or not, but the TL's LED tail lights have a diffuser that diffuses the output of the LED's. On a lot of newer fancy cars they are now making LED tail lights almost like artwork if you havent noticed. Without the diffuser you get a more pronounced LED look similar to new cars such as the Audi LED tail lights. So now when you look at the back of the TL you see two distinct lines of LED's, instead of two areas of diffused light.


As for everyone elses request, unfortanately stupid me did not take before and after pictures with the lights on.

Here are a couple more pictures I took after I finished both sides. I also took a picture outside to see it during the day. I love it!

James

Outside in the light just standard lights on. No brakes


Less light as I backed closer to the garage. No bakes


Same picture as above but WITH brake lights on

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

As far as a comparison shot, the best I could come up with is a picture I took of my previous TL Type S. This picture is with diffuser and as you can see the light output is more diffused and looks more like just two bars of light compared to single visible LED's as seen on newer LED equipped cars...and my pictures above.

Hopefully this helps for those that arent familiar.

06tl4life

very nice man, im in illinois to. Might have to swing by so you can help me out with this haha

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Definitely looks sweet when the lights are off and you can see the clarity inside!

Any far back shots at night?

Dpat

sick DOOOD

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

I do see the difference!
I'm torn tho. I dont know which one i like better

TRIOD3SIGNS

wow a fresh new mod for my list... great job!

ArthurL

iTrader: (4)

Hm... I like!

murph145

nice mod man might have to think of it myself too

07tl-s6spd

iTrader: (1)

they def look better without the frosted piece in...nice job man!

CHISOX1

Looks great with your license plates!

DWitis

Nicely done without taking tail light apart! I've had this done for awhile but with the process of modded tails so opened apart. It definitely makes the ass fatter

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Oh and hey I can throw this out there too. If anyone wants this done but doesnt have the time, patience, tools, or steady hands ship them to me. I will do it for a small fee :-)


Those are all the pics I have for now, when it gets dark outside I will take a couple more. As you can see in the pictures its shitty outside so its not like I can go get sweet sunset pictures with a gleaming clean car lol.

Thanks for the compliments guys.

AnthraciteAspec

iTrader: (6)

Nice work, looks pretty cool.

omnuts

Good thinking, those came out nice

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

Can we have pictures on where to melt the lenses? Not following really. I might as well try this on my OEM set first then try it on my depo which are on the car.

Would really appreciate a video as well!

Aretardedorange

iTrader: (2)

For those wondering. This is how the Audi LED lights light up.




Now these are the 06-07 OEM accord LED tails that look pretty bad. I hope its not like this with the diffuser removed!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Well done, James. It looks good.

GKinColo08TL

Yes, pictures on where to melt the lights wou;d be terrific, this is a great look!

BigPZ

Looks great James!! Kudos for your originality

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

Why whats wrong with the OEM Accord tail lights? I would say overall its like those yes....then again an LED is an LED so any car with LED tails would look like that. They probably all use the exact same supplier for the LED's too. So to answer your question I would say yes it looks similar to that except obviously in a completely different arrangement.

James

TLDude876

iTrader: (7)

Sweet! My next mod

Genedog

I'm a fan... I like the way they look

AckTL05

iTrader: (18)

Just remember when you do this on base tail lights you will see the LED board and chrome piece behind it. When I do custom tail lights and a customer asks for it to be removed its free. The diffuser is only held on by screws to the back of the tail light.

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

Well of course it's free...you're already getting paid to go on the mission to cut the ENTIRE thing open!

I agree though, I only like this on type s and reds...I wouldn't like seeing the board or the chrome. Cool that you came up with a way to do it without opening them...I like the frosted diffuser in. I think we're getting to the point where we're running out of things to mod/change on this car...UH OH...only a matter of time before the cheap ebay aftermarket takes hold.



Great job being a pioneer and sharing the idea though...for someone wanting to do this mod...this is a GREAT suggestion.

Majofo

leave the top diffuser untouched, remove lower diffuser.

v|nsan|ty

Very interesting mod. If anyone decides to pursue this, mind making a DIY of where to melt the diffuser?

Dsrtne1

iTrader: (1)

Looks great!
+1 on pictures where to melt

JTS97Z28

iTrader: (4)

When I did it there isn't really certain places to melt. You just go in there and melt away and you slowly remove pieces or sections. When I did it I started by melting as much of the center section as I could where it's attached to the housing. I also used the needle nose to yank parts out and to also crack it apart. The diffuser cracks relatively easily. Sorry I didn't take pics, but either way it's just something you have to mess around with on your own. It's really not that hard, just takes a little time and patience, and is a LOT quicker than having to cut the entire housing.

James

rockstar143

iTrader: (6)

proprietary information...i love it!