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Stock tail lights?

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Old Dec 4, 2012 | 11:20 PM
  #1  
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Default Stock tail lights?

Can the stock tail lights be heated and opened just like the heads?? Im thinking about popping them open and retrofitting some led strips into them.
because:
1. I personally think it would look awesome
2. my tail lights are tinted to match my black truck and it would definitely improve light output.
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 03:50 PM
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Ok well these can be opened. Much easier than the headlights I might add.

I did manage to ruin the first one I tried to open....the heat in the oven was too high and it started to shrink the lens into the recessed reflector buckets. I should be able to shape it back out with a heat gun though. Fingers crossed...

I'm "penciling in" my led design before I order the strips just to be sure ill have enough length to complete it. Gonna have the turn signal/brake light buckets outlined in red LEDs, along with the reflector bucket on the bottom. Then for the backup lights the bucket will be lined in pure white LEDs.

Hopefully it'll turn out as sharp as i think it will. Pics of progress to come.
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 05:09 PM
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Here's the rough draft with the LED designs sharpie'd to the taillight reflectors.

Stock tail lights?-image-3320623144.jpg



Stock tail lights?-image-3402024531.jpg
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 06:34 PM
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Very interesting info...what temp and time in the oven worked out for you? I have a spare set I would like to try.

Thanxs.
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Old Dec 5, 2012 | 09:34 PM
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230 for about 8 minutes worked wonders for me. Also prying on the side of the light worked the best to get it open. By side I mean the piece that wraps around on the bedside, the groove seems to be a little less deep on that side.
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Old Dec 6, 2012 | 12:25 AM
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Thanxs again....I thought the rear tail lights were sonic welded or something like that and could not be taken apart.
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Old Dec 6, 2012 | 12:52 AM
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Originally Posted by bilinvic Retrofits
Thanxs again....I thought the rear tail lights were sonic welded or something like that and could not be taken apart.
I think the 09+ are sonic welded. I tried to open one and failed. I cracked the edge of the lens. Maybe I just suck. Then again the heads were not that difficult.

I do look. Forward to seeing what the OP comes up with.

Last edited by sllydderrr; Dec 6, 2012 at 12:54 AM.
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Old Dec 6, 2012 | 01:12 AM
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I failed to notice that his tails are the '04 -'08 gen. My bad. Got all excited for nothing!
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Old Dec 6, 2012 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by bilinvic Retrofits
I failed to notice that his tails are the '04 -'08 gen. My bad. Got all excited for nothing!
Sorry bout that. I just realized I didn't specify whenever I typed up the intro.
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Old Dec 14, 2012 | 09:38 PM
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So any luck?
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