I'm continuing to make the ZDX the way Acura should make it and failed to do
This time I'm sharing with you my another long-play project I always wanted to make - ZDX Concept-style LED tail lights, that were really amazing



What we do is a completely custom work made by a qualified LED maniac, I got a spare set of lights and sent them to the LED guy to another city, and he is making them... SLOWLY as usual Been a couple of months by now but its well worth of waiting

So far the progress is about 30% - custom light dispersers are finished and seemingly fit in the tail lights perfectly. Next steps are no easier - making a curved LED chip and powering it right, and then mounting inner LED sections for brake lights and turn signals.

Our project will include darkening the reflectors inside the lamp so I expected it to look really close to the concept.

So far this is what it looks like

 

Sandro man this is awesome!

I remember mentioning this idea to you a while back in a thread but I had no idea you would do it!


I'm so ready for your Z's to come together. This is amazing.

 

I never thought it was possible to do this in good quality until I saw Toyota Highlander tail lights modded by this guy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6Q246Eyo7A#t=49

So now I am sure the result will be great

 

It's nice to see he does quality work. It's also nice to see how his lights look when illuminated (Talking about the strip). It looks like OEM quality on the Highlander and will definitely look right at home on the ZDX.

Are you having just the LED outline light up with different brightness between when on the brakes and when not? What about turn signals, would they blink the whole light or just an area of the strip?

I assume you're leaving the reverse light untouched but are going to tint the rest of the center of the taillights like the concept and like RadiantCycles.

 

LED strip is supposed to be only parking lights. Brake lights will be another pack of LEDs a little bit inside. Turn signal will be where it is now, just LEDs instead. For reverse lights I'm leaving my Vleds Triton bulbs cus they are probably brighter than anything else you can mount inside.
As for tinting, we'll see how blacked out reflector looks like first

 

Are you going to do anything about the area highlighted in yellow? I know you blacked it out on your Z:

 

Its blacked out on one of my Z's and turned into quad exhaust on another one so no it remains untouched

 

damn, this is so cool. i wish i can have one, or maybe two. i don't mine to pay $500 a pair of this.

 

This will look AMAZING, I can't wait to see the finished product!

 

Very cool Sandro! Excited to see finished product!

 

How has everything came along so far?

 

slowly, as always I don't bother the guy too much but its indeed slow process
It takes one day for glue to get dry after every small part

 

Cricket, Cricket, Cricket!

 

I have one year left on my 2012 ZDX lease; and I'm desperately trying to decide if I want to keep it. I love the vehicle, but am annoyed with the gas mileage, and the lack of LED taillights. If this is as successful in implementation as I think it will be...this would be something that would make me choose keeping the ZDX. Please keep us up to date among ALL of your modifications, but this one especially for me . Thanks!

 

sure thing
the LED guy promised to finish them in April
approximate budget is around 700-800$

 

The current MDX has similar LED tail light. I wonder if it can be retrofitted to work for the ZDX? I am curious to see how yours look Sandro when it is finished.

 

At last the tail lights are complete!





And a vid: http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Sa...08631.mp4.html

They look exactly as I expected. Now I need to get them shipped and power them up properly.

I was planning to put them on my turbo-Z but it is delayed again for a month so maybe I'll get impatient and put them on my white Z

P.S. don't mind the alignment of LED lines and yellowish hue, its all due to camera

 

Looks amazing! Can't wait to see pics of them on the Z!

There are a few MDXs and Q5s in my building, and I look at their lights with envy. I'm surprised how bothered I am by not having LED taillights, and LED DRLs.

 

Looks amazing! He should do your headlights next with a eye brow or something.

Great work. Love it.

 

thanks for appreciation guys

as for headlights I'm pretty happy how they look with LED parking lights and DRL

the only mod I'm planning is installing Vleds V3 triton bulb as DRL. those bulbs are not meant for HB3 housing but there are ways to get it done

 

Those tail LED lights are bad ass! I wonder if you would make a Utube video show everybody how upgrade their zdx tail lights?

 

This is so sick, how have I not seen this before. Well done Sandro

 

thanks) pics of the lights installed is here https://acurazine.com/forums/acura-z...talled-914643/

 

Do you mind sharing how much this cost and if the guy is available for other projects? I am seeking to have custom tail and possibly headlights made and there are no aftermarket alternatives currently.

 

Labour cost was about 500$ plus a new set of lights if you dont plan to be without your current set for a few months.
Problem is that the guy lives in Russia and is quite slow. Took me about 4 months of waiting

 

Do you have any current pics of them on the vehicle?

Also earlier on you mentioned a Turbo ZDX? Do you have pics or links to a thread on that or can you give me some info on that please? I absolutely LOVE the ZDX so I am super interested in hearing about this.

Thank you

 

Nevermind, I found the thread. All I have to say is that I am absolutely blown away. I honestly can't tell you if I love the engine upgrades or that interior more. Just wow! How'd you manage to wrap the dash in leather, won't that block the airbag?

sorry to go off topic.

 

there shouldn't be problems, leather is pretty soft and will probably be torn if airbags deploy
dont wanna find out though))

 

Haha I hope you never will need to find out. I think on vehicles that come with a leather dash board from factory they use false stitching so that it rips on the seams. It amazes me that an airbag can rip right through a soft material dashboard especially since some seem really hard.