Project:Light up hood emblems DialupWarning: Lots of photos

[FLATBEDFORD]

Its gonna look great with the roof lights. Just make sure that they don't look like the truck on the left.

[MadMaxetc]

That looks realy great!

I have a plan for the LED version...I will draft something up and post it later tonight.

It should only require a small hole in the hood.

[MadMaxetc]

OK so here is my take on how you could do the LED Marker light.

Instead of pointing the LEDs out you could make a Relector Lens that takes up less space and uses fewer LEDs.

** Disclamer **
I do not have these on my '67 so I have never made them.
I have no idea how deep, wide, long or tall the Marker Emblums are.
******************
Here are the steps:

1. Disassemble the marker emblem as stated above.
2. Remove reflector and the backing as stated above.
3. Take a .25" thick peice of Acrilic Clear plastic. (see disclamer) Cut it so that it fits inside the reflector, but not smaller than the opening you see in the Emblum.
4. On the AFT side drill 3 hols just big and deep enough for the LEDs to fit in. (Don't install yet, just fit check)
5. On the Front (bid side that will face out) cut some long groves paralell to the short side using a hacksaw or dremmel. Lay the blade at an angle so that it cuts a V not a knotch. This will "Let the Light out" of the acrilic.
6. On the outside and the back use some clear finger nail polish to smooth the ruff sides out. DO NOT do this to the groves. Also put a little in the hols for the LEDs (not to much, they still need to fit in there!)
7. After tha polish dries, put some reflective tape on the back and sides. The smoother the better. This will help ALL the light go out the front.
8. Now install the LEDs into the holes, using a little hot glue on the outside.
9. Solder them up with the propper resistor to a short run of wire. (you could get fance and put a nice connector on there)
10. install the Reflector into the Emblem.
11. Using a little Hot Glue, Put you Acrilic Lens on the back of the reflector and glue it down. Don't gle on the front, this could create dark spots.
12. Install on truck! (should only need a small hole for the wire to pass through.)

For those who only need a picture... (click to make bigger)
(Green is the LEDs ) (Grey is the Acrilic) (Blue is the Reflective tape.)


For LEDs you can just get some at Radio Shack or http://www.superbrightleds.com/leds.htm#threemm. You should use the 3mm ones to keep the Acrilic as thin as you can.

For info on how to pick the right resistor look here http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz

I used the values from here http://www.superbrightleds.com/specs/w3mm_specs.htm of 3, 3.6, 20, and 3.

What do you guys think??

[MadMaxetc]

If anyone wants to send me a Side Marker I will do this for free if you pay for shipping. It looks like fun.

[rjewkes]

i have a set you could try on.

[knightfire83]

Very interesting MadMaxetc. It will be interesting how this one turns out.

I have 1 suggestion though, I think you had better use a clear epoxy to assemble the thing instead of hot glue.

On a hot summer day I think the hood and emblem could get hot enough in direct sun to melt the hot glue.

[MadMaxetc]

i have a set you could try on.

PM sent.

[rjewkes]

one more thought, how about another set that works with the flashers? With a tiny transistor that'll make them pull like a normal bulb, with the first 3 on at night, the second three would make it brighter when the emergency or turns are on? and be bright enough for daylight as turns.

[MaxKlinger]

very cool, good job! I might take a crack at this someday, too. However I'm going to come up with a way to do it without cutting the hood.

[cdeal28078]

I like it a lot. I think I actually like the clear lenses in the day light also. I might have to get me some clear turn signal lenses also. Nice job.
Another option would be to turn them into a turning light. Like the Town Cars had. A clear light that came on with the turn signal to light up the side of the road so you can see the driveway or road you are turning into.
I like that idea. I never realized how much that help until I sold the old 88 Lincoln Town car I used as a road car when I traveled for work. That light made a nice difference when I turned into a dark driveway late at night.
clint

[rjewkes]

had them on a 95 olds 88 royale.

[knightfire83]

Here's my last pic of it in the day time, with the cab marker lights



Now all it needs is nerf bars and bed rails.

[rjewkes]

if only the markers uptop could b e clear without having to be sun damaged or aged.

[Happy_Camper]

What an awesome job!
One of the cool things about using the clear lens, is that, anyone who knows bumps, would know something cool is going on there. The light really fanned out well.
Thanks for the very detailed post. Two big "Gear-Head" thumbs up!

[FLATBEDFORD]

Need a night time shot with the cab lights.