NEW PROJECT: Making my own DRLs
09-28-2012, 07:11 PM
#1
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NEW PROJECT: Making my own DRLs
Now that I finished doing the LED swap in my Max, it's time for the next project.
I wanted to do DRL's but I don't like just screwing or sticking something on the car. Almost everything that I do is done with the purpose of it being original and having a sort of factory look to it.
With that intention in mind, here is the fitment stage being done today..... more pics to come as I get parts done.
I wanted to do DRL's but I don't like just screwing or sticking something on the car. Almost everything that I do is done with the purpose of it being original and having a sort of factory look to it.
With that intention in mind, here is the fitment stage being done today..... more pics to come as I get parts done.
09-28-2012, 10:32 PM
#8
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Originally Posted by 20_Maxima_10
Now that I finished doing the LED swap in my Max, it's time for the next project.
I wanted to do DRL's but I don't like just screwing or sticking something on the car. Almost everything that I do is done with the purpose of it being original and having a sort of factory look to it.
With that intention in mind, here is the fitment stage being done today..... more pics to come as I get parts done.
I wanted to do DRL's but I don't like just screwing or sticking something on the car. Almost everything that I do is done with the purpose of it being original and having a sort of factory look to it.
With that intention in mind, here is the fitment stage being done today..... more pics to come as I get parts done.
09-28-2012, 10:41 PM
#9
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Close but not as simple as it sounds. Have a few ideas in mind as far as lighting. Can't divulge all my secrets just yet! Gotta stay ahead of the curve or originality!
09-28-2012, 10:53 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by 20_Maxima_10
Close but not as simple as it sounds. Have a few ideas in mind as far as lighting. Can't divulge all my secrets just yet! Gotta stay ahead of the curve or originality!
11-01-2012, 08:30 PM
#13
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Finally got around to putting this project together. Gonna try a few different lighting combinations down the road once I get more Materials.
With with 1watt LEDs instead of the standard 5mm LEDs so they are much brigther. Overall I love them. Look great at night.
With with 1watt LEDs instead of the standard 5mm LEDs so they are much brigther. Overall I love them. Look great at night.
Nissan ground lighting.....
11-02-2012, 06:25 AM
#17
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Are they wired to your parking lights? I would have wired them to come on with the ignition and stay on all the time. Is this feasible? Around the first of the year, I am going to start some minor mods on the car...I should have some more disposable income around that time.
I'll either re-wire the fogs so they some on with the car, and use that as DRL, or I'll add some lights to the area where you did, and have those come on with the car.
Maybe someday I'll send my headlights off to kmoney and get some Audi, or Lexus looking DRLs going.
I'll either re-wire the fogs so they some on with the car, and use that as DRL, or I'll add some lights to the area where you did, and have those come on with the car.
Maybe someday I'll send my headlights off to kmoney and get some Audi, or Lexus looking DRLs going.
11-02-2012, 07:31 AM
#18
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Are they wired to your parking lights? I would have wired them to come on with the ignition and stay on all the time. Is this feasible? Around the first of the year, I am going to start some minor mods on the car...I should have some more disposable income around that time.
I'll either re-wire the fogs so they some on with the car, and use that as DRL, or I'll add some lights to the area where you did, and have those come on with the car.
Maybe someday I'll send my headlights off to kmoney and get some Audi, or Lexus looking DRLs going.
I'll either re-wire the fogs so they some on with the car, and use that as DRL, or I'll add some lights to the area where you did, and have those come on with the car.
Maybe someday I'll send my headlights off to kmoney and get some Audi, or Lexus looking DRLs going.
11-02-2012, 11:19 PM
#20
Are they wired to your parking lights? I would have wired them to come on with the ignition and stay on all the time. Is this feasible? Around the first of the year, I am going to start some minor mods on the car...I should have some more disposable income around that time.
I'll either re-wire the fogs so they some on with the car, and use that as DRL, or I'll add some lights to the area where you did, and have those come on with the car.
Maybe someday I'll send my headlights off to kmoney and get some Audi, or Lexus looking DRLs going.
I'll either re-wire the fogs so they some on with the car, and use that as DRL, or I'll add some lights to the area where you did, and have those come on with the car.
Maybe someday I'll send my headlights off to kmoney and get some Audi, or Lexus looking DRLs going.
Last edited by shep1sean; 11-02-2012 at 11:22 PM.
11-04-2012, 08:34 AM
#24
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I have plenty of experience doing things like this so I'm very comfortable doing these type of projects.
11-04-2012, 04:50 PM
#26
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U gotta do your research before commenting, and you'll understand it's easier than done. What's the number thing you have to worry about when ANY type of light gets brighter? HEAT. I am running 1watt LEDs on the ends of the tubing and they still get hot to the touch. regular DRLs use the same size LEDs but they also have 5,6, or 7 leds and also have the resources to design housings to be reflective and design them to dissipate heat properly and not melt your bumpers and housings.
But hey, if got a better idea for it other than "if they were only brighter" by all means share your input. lol Until then, I got this, MY WAY.
But hey, if got a better idea for it other than "if they were only brighter" by all means share your input. lol Until then, I got this, MY WAY.
11-04-2012, 09:35 PM
#27
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11-05-2012, 11:46 AM
#30
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U gotta do your research before commenting, and you'll understand it's easier than done. What's the number thing you have to worry about when ANY type of light gets brighter? HEAT. I am running 1watt LEDs on the ends of the tubing and they still get hot to the touch. regular DRLs use the same size LEDs but they also have 5,6, or 7 leds and also have the resources to design housings to be reflective and design them to dissipate heat properly and not melt your bumpers and housings.
But hey, if got a better idea for it other than "if they were only brighter" by all means share your input. lol Until then, I got this, MY WAY.
But hey, if got a better idea for it other than "if they were only brighter" by all means share your input. lol Until then, I got this, MY WAY.
11-05-2012, 04:45 PM
#32
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It's acrylic tubing. Bought it locally here.
Just look me up.
No secret really, knew what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it about 6 months ago, just finally put it into action. Cant really sell a set because it's not a lick it and stick it type of install, have to mold the tubing to the car and drill the appropriate holes.
No secret really, knew what I wanted to do and how I wanted to do it about 6 months ago, just finally put it into action. Cant really sell a set because it's not a lick it and stick it type of install, have to mold the tubing to the car and drill the appropriate holes.
11-05-2012, 04:52 PM
#33
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Yeah, I knew just having one hooked up on a bench with only 10 volts going through it and it getting hot to the touch so I knew I didn't want to go any hotter. If I figure out a better way to dissipate heat I will step them up to a brighter LED.
11-06-2012, 07:40 AM
#34
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Ever consider getting a DRL LED designed for another car and making it fit? Like these for the Mercedes?
http://www.k2motor.com/08-10-mercede...FQGFnQodwXkAXQ
http://www.k2motor.com/08-10-mercede...FQGFnQodwXkAXQ
11-06-2012, 08:03 AM
#35
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Ever consider getting a DRL LED designed for another car and making it fit? Like these for the Mercedes?
http://www.k2motor.com/08-10-mercede...FQGFnQodwXkAXQ
http://www.k2motor.com/08-10-mercede...FQGFnQodwXkAXQ
NOPE! Who wants to look like "another car"?? LOL NOT THIS GUY!
11-07-2012, 05:11 PM
#37
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Well, maybe they've found a way of dealing with the heat.
Is that surround material made of a special plastic?
Edited to add:
Who else is runnig Mercedes DRLs on a Maxima? I think that would be pretty unique and satisfy your urge to be different.
I've seen a couple of cars over the past few days with similar straight lines of lights in the same spot on the front bumper.
I applaud your DIY ambition, but I'd personally just buy an LED DRL strip and put that in.
At least then, I'd know it was made to the spec of bumper installation and weather resistance.
Is that surround material made of a special plastic?
Edited to add:
Who else is runnig Mercedes DRLs on a Maxima? I think that would be pretty unique and satisfy your urge to be different.
I've seen a couple of cars over the past few days with similar straight lines of lights in the same spot on the front bumper.
I applaud your DIY ambition, but I'd personally just buy an LED DRL strip and put that in.
At least then, I'd know it was made to the spec of bumper installation and weather resistance.
Last edited by PalmettoFellow; 11-08-2012 at 07:16 AM.
11-08-2012, 09:27 AM
#38
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Well, maybe they've found a way of dealing with the heat.
Is that surround material made of a special plastic?
Edited to add:
Who else is runnig Mercedes DRLs on a Maxima? I think that would be pretty unique and satisfy your urge to be different.
I've seen a couple of cars over the past few days with similar straight lines of lights in the same spot on the front bumper.
I applaud your DIY ambition, but I'd personally just buy an LED DRL strip and put that in.
At least then, I'd know it was made to the spec of bumper installation and weather resistance.
Is that surround material made of a special plastic?
Edited to add:
Who else is runnig Mercedes DRLs on a Maxima? I think that would be pretty unique and satisfy your urge to be different.
I've seen a couple of cars over the past few days with similar straight lines of lights in the same spot on the front bumper.
I applaud your DIY ambition, but I'd personally just buy an LED DRL strip and put that in.
At least then, I'd know it was made to the spec of bumper installation and weather resistance.
I've seen the MB DRLs on the Max as well as other cars, trucks, planes and trains. lol everyone has them here so no it won't be much different for me.
As I stated earlier though I could go brighter by doing it a different way but I don't like the look of actual DRLs an. I wanted them to be subtle and that's what I achieved, you don't even notice I did anything during the day.
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