DIY - LED Reverse Lights MOD

keon718nyc · 03-30-2017, 05:51 PM

Well after reading another thread and wanting to change out my Reverse LED's for some time now i figured i would post this for those that are interested without having to spend more then $20-$30 or even less total. I give all the credits to TonyNo & Nookz for this one just wanted to post clear pics on the before and after as well as what you will need ect.

1. A set of LED Reverse Bulbs (i got mine from Amazon) $15-$25. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

2. A set of needle nose pliers to cut and crimp the wire down to the bulb connections front and back as shown in pictures below.

3. Two 2.2k Ohm Resistors, 1/4 W, 5% - A pack of 25pcs goes on Amazon for $5.77 or another forum member mentioned Radio Shack if you still have one around you for about .75 for 2pcs! - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Resistor wire will need to be cut to fit over the LED Bulb wire as in sample pictures below. The resister used in the reverse lights is just to compensate for the reverse switch that leaks current when not closed as pointed out from another member. Enjoy the pics and money saving on this awesome DIY MOD!!!!

MANNAXMAN · 03-31-2017, 09:18 AM

Nice write-up, keon. After seeing TonyNo's post and getting more detail from Nookz a little while back, I knew I wanted to go this route for the LED conversion.

FLYNNZL1 · 03-31-2017, 09:31 AM

Any heat issues from the resistor?

cmeJATT · 03-31-2017, 09:45 AM

very nice!! i need to do this lol

keon718nyc · 03-31-2017, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYNNZL1

Any heat issues from the resistor?

None, works flawless no heat at all. I checked a few times last night to be sure on it. For a few bucks and 15 minutes or so this was the best mod by far for what its worth!!!! Thanks everyone, Glad i can share this with you guys!

tecboy · 03-31-2017, 10:44 AM

i assume each led needs a resistor installed across the leads...

keon718nyc · 03-31-2017, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tecboy

i assume each led needs a resistor installed across the leads...

Yes exactly, All you need is 2 of them. If you can find them by piece i would imagine them to be about 20cents each but only i can find a 25pk on Amazon for $5.77. I may just give the rest of my resistors away to some forum members looking to do this LED conversion next week when i have some time.

FLYNNZL1 · 03-31-2017, 10:54 AM

Thank you for sharing, does the resistor go on a certain way?

keon718nyc · 03-31-2017, 11:00 AM

To be honest i followed this picture attached and just kinda routed it the same way. I am thinking its a remote to ground or positive to ground. Either way if it is not in right and both bulbs are in the sockets and you will see a dim glow from them when threy are off meaning the resistors are not in the correct way. Here is a better pic from a forum member that i followed the same leads looking at the photo the farthest outer pin/wires is where to connect them -

tecboy · 03-31-2017, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keon718nyc

Yes exactly, All you need is 2 of them. If you can find them by piece i would imagine them to be about 20cents each but only i can find a 25pk on Amazon for $5.77. I may just give the rest of my resistors away to some forum members looking to do this LED conversion next week when i have some time.

thanks....there are actually a couple radio shacks still open in town..looks like they have them for about 75 cents for 2...

keon718nyc · 03-31-2017, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tecboy

thanks....there are actually a couple radio shacks still open in town..looks like they have them for about 75 cents for 2...

That is perfect!!! They closed all the radio shacks here in my area but good find to those that have one still around

Adrian97c · 03-31-2017, 11:08 AM

Wait so... you don't have to pull entire taillight off of the car??

Also... you don't have to drill hole to mount those big heat sink looking resistors?

If so this is the mod I need!

Could I send you my address? I don't have any radio shacks around here.

keon718nyc · 03-31-2017, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian97c

Wait so... you don't have to pull entire taillight off of the car??

Also... you don't have to drill hole to mount those big heat sink looking resistors?

If so this is the mod I need!

Lastly, I'd like to see exactly how to put the tiny resistor on the bottom of bulbs, I'm not sure how you do that... does it stick on to it? Do you wrap it around?

No need to pull the tail lights off at all and no drilling whatsoever! Simple as changing the bulb is far as it goes

Just wrap the resistor around the best you can and as you plug them in the resistor wire will move down and the contacts of the resistor and bulb should tuck in securely in place. it took about 2 tries as i didn't have my wires on tight but a needle nose pliers worked wonders for that.

And yes, shoot me your address through a PM as i would be happy to send a pair out tomorrow or Monday at the latest and help those in need.

Adrian97c · 03-31-2017, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keon718nyc

No need to pull the tail lights off at all and no drilling whatsoever! Simple as changing the bulb is far as it goes

Just wrap the resistor around the best you can and as you plug them in the resistor wire will move down and the contacts of the resistor and bulb should tuck in securely in place. it took about 2 tries as i didn't have my wires on tight but a needle nose pliers worked wonders for that.

And yes, shoot me your address through a PM as i would be happy to send a pair out tomorrow or Monday at the latest and help those in need.

I been holding off on this for along time... so glad I did! Thanks for this!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03-30-2017, 05:51 PM	#1
keon718nyc Drives: Challenger SP Shaker/Arcadia Denali Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New York City Posts: 1,928	DIY - LED Reverse Lights MOD Well after reading another thread and wanting to change out my Reverse LED's for some time now i figured i would post this for those that are interested without having to spend more then $20-$30 or even less total. I give all the credits to TonyNo & Nookz for this one just wanted to post clear pics on the before and after as well as what you will need ect. 1. A set of LED Reverse Bulbs (i got mine from Amazon) $15-$25. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 2. A set of needle nose pliers to cut and crimp the wire down to the bulb connections front and back as shown in pictures below. 3. Two 2.2k Ohm Resistors, 1/4 W, 5% - A pack of 25pcs goes on Amazon for $5.77 or another forum member mentioned Radio Shack if you still have one around you for about .75 for 2pcs! - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The Resistor wire will need to be cut to fit over the LED Bulb wire as in sample pictures below. The resister used in the reverse lights is just to compensate for the reverse switch that leaks current when not closed as pointed out from another member. Enjoy the pics and money saving on this awesome DIY MOD!!!! Attached Images Last edited by keon718nyc; 03-31-2017 at 11:21 AM.

03-31-2017, 09:18 AM	#2
MANNAXMAN Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Convertible Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 564 View My Garage	Nice write-up, keon. After seeing TonyNo's post and getting more detail from Nookz a little while back, I knew I wanted to go this route for the LED conversion. __________________ 2016 Camaro 2SS, Convertible, Summit White, A8, NPP, NAV, Daily Driver (Sept. 2016-Present) 1996 Camaro Z28 with T-Tops (Sold 10.22.16) 1986 Camaro IROC-Z with T-Tops (Sold) 1961 Volkswagen Beetle with Sliding Ragtop Sunroof (2009-Present) 1964 Volkswagen Beetle with aftermarket Sliding Ragtop Sunroof (Sold) Follow me on *Instagram* - @gen6_2ss_vert

03-31-2017, 09:31 AM	#3
FLYNNZL1 Wicked ZL1 Drives: 2017 ZL1 A10 HBM Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,175 View My Garage	Any heat issues from the resistor? __________________ 2017 Hyper Blue Metallic ZL1 A10/CF Hood Insert/PDR/NAV MODS: Rotofab CAI/V-MAX CNC Ported Throttle Body/Clear Bra/LED Reverse Light/Rock Guards/Lift Pads/Darkened Tail Lights/Ghost-Tinted LED Side Markers/Darkened 3rd Brake Light

03-31-2017, 10:44 AM	#6
tecboy Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 455	i assume each led needs a resistor installed across the leads... __________________ 2016 Black 2SS A8 NPP Sunroof - Tinted Windows - Black Chrome Wheels - Custom Striping - ASC Sideskirts/Splitter - GM Lowering Kit - Complete Sound System - DD LED Sidemarkers

03-31-2017, 10:54 AM	#8
FLYNNZL1 Wicked ZL1 Drives: 2017 ZL1 A10 HBM Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,175 View My Garage	Thank you for sharing, does the resistor go on a certain way? __________________ 2017 Hyper Blue Metallic ZL1 A10/CF Hood Insert/PDR/NAV MODS: Rotofab CAI/V-MAX CNC Ported Throttle Body/Clear Bra/LED Reverse Light/Rock Guards/Lift Pads/Darkened Tail Lights/Ghost-Tinted LED Side Markers/Darkened 3rd Brake Light

03-31-2017, 09:45 AM	#4
cmeJATT Drives: SS-6-SPD Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,364	very nice!! i need to do this lol

03-31-2017, 11:00 AM	#9
keon718nyc Drives: Challenger SP Shaker/Arcadia Denali Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New York City Posts: 1,928	To be honest i followed this picture attached and just kinda routed it the same way. I am thinking its a remote to ground or positive to ground. Either way if it is not in right and both bulbs are in the sockets and you will see a dim glow from them when threy are off meaning the resistors are not in the correct way. Here is a better pic from a forum member that i followed the same leads looking at the photo the farthest outer pin/wires is where to connect them - Attached Images

03-31-2017, 11:08 AM	#12
Adrian97c Drives: Wife's 14' IS 250 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: PSL, FL Posts: 2,207	Wait so... you don't have to pull entire taillight off of the car?? Also... you don't have to drill hole to mount those big heat sink looking resistors? If so this is the mod I need! Could I send you my address? I don't have any radio shacks around here. __________________ 2016 Camaro HBM A8, 2SS, NPP, Sunroof, Kalahari Interior/kneepads, Black bowties, 56v: -11% tint all around Ordered • 2/06/16 Built on • 3/22/16 Adopted • 4/07/16 Sold on 2/05/16: 2014 Camaro SW L99, 2SS, RS, NAV, Inferno Orange Interior: -Borla ATAK catback -Range AFM delete -15% tint all around -Red LED interior bulbs -55k white Cree LED fogs -License plate LED bulb swap -12" Sub Kit, BA amp swap -Oracle ghosted LED sidemarkers

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