The LED are wired to the running lights and the brake lights.
When the running lights turn on the leds turn on but are pretty dim. When the brakes are applied the LED turn brighter. I didn't take enough picture to full show you the process of how to do it. So I pieced together what I could to make this DIY.



Video of Lights in Action.

Parts List:

1X -Red LED Strip: $7.99




2X - 1N4001 MICRO 1A DIODES
1N4001 Micro 1A Diodes : Diodes | RadioShack.com






1X - 470 OHM 1/2W 5% CARBON FILM RESISTOR PK/5
470 ohm 1/2W 5% Carbon Film Resistor pk/5 : Resistors | RadioShack.com


First we need to remove the bumper:




Then remove the reflector:


After you remove the reflector use a dremel with a cutting wheel to cut the reflector in half like this.


Lay out your led strips how you like it. Keep in mind that you can only cut the strip every 3 leds. Also drill a hole so that you can pass the wire through


Place the reflector cover over the leds and hook it up to a 12v source to test it out and to to see if you like how the leds are laid out.



Add some silicone chalking around the edges. Then clamp the cover onto the back piece. Also chalk around the hole where the wires were passed through.



Next we will have to remove the tail lights




Next we will have to build the the LED controller. Solder it like this



Wire this led controller like this:


The 3 wire harness mention in step above is located on back of tail light

 

pretty neat, nice job

 

very cool, nice job

 

thats cool although not sure it would look right on a 12 and up.

 

It doesn't look to bad. Here is a photo shopped imaged one with the mod.

 

Im deff doing this mod. I had this on my IS350 and got alot of complements on it. However I had mine wired up to my driving lights and turn signals. Would this be possible?

 

Really a different mod you did there. My issue with small LED lights is I find they look cheap, but I can't say that for sure unless I saw your car on the road. Regardless this is a cool post so thanks for sharing.

 

Yea, Just wire the line into your turn signals instead of brake but make sure you keep the driving lights on the side with the resistor.

Yea I was a little on the fence about it and thought about using the COB led strip but ended up with the these led strips. They don't looks to bad.

 

Are you able to wrap the resistor in heat shrink to protect it? I dont like how its all exposed after soldering.

 

Oh yea. I didnt show it but I used Marine Shrink tubing. Marine shrink tubes has a sealant inside to make the seal water tight.

Link to the one I used: 42 Piece Marine Heat Shrink Tubing

 

Nice write up.

 

Perfect thank you I plan on doing this mod in the very near future on my 2012. I will post pics for those of you wondering how they would look on a 2012. Im going to try and fit 2 strips of leds in both as I noticed the '12 reflector are smaller in width than the previous years.

 

Nice. Lmk if you get stuck or something along the way. Maybe you can document your process as well.

 

Will do!!!

 

Ever get around to doing this? I'm Curious how it looks on a 2012.

 

personally i dont like the reflector.. its too big already.. and to add lights to it to make it even more noticeable, well its not my cup of tea.

but otherwise a very clean job.

 

very neat OP,

 

nicely done

 

Yea nicely done, but not my style. Reminds me of trucks you see in the south with just brake lights all around it