Tailight Mod

gotopless · 09-27-2009, 04:30 PM

I had heard about people doing this before, and finally decided to do it myself. In the 944 tail light pods, we all know the bottom-middle section is just a reflector. However, it has the same mounting hole in the metal piece behind it as the parking light section does. Pop in a parking light socket in the reflector section of each tail light pod and wire them up, and you've got 2 more tail lights. It's a quick and easy job, and I like the results. Might save you from getting rear-ended at night!

CameronKame · 09-27-2009, 04:48 PM

Nice

I love small little improvements like this

x0panda0x · 09-27-2009, 05:14 PM

thanks for this tip. Definitely something I'm going to look into doing. :-)

gpotts200 · 09-27-2009, 06:22 PM

I am assuming you just added this to the current brake light circuit? What wire size did you use? Also, what type of connection did you use (crimp splice, solder, etc.) . Looks great! Thanks!

Matt Sheppard · 09-27-2009, 06:53 PM

This is still the best "bang-for-the-buck" mod there is!

Grandpa#3 · 09-27-2009, 07:30 PM

I did this mod some time ago, but I bought a couple double filament bulb holders. It takes a 1157 bulb so I have an extra tail and stop light on each side. I soldered the wires together and used shrink wrap to cover the connections. Don't forget to slide the shrink wrap over the wires first. I don't remember, but I think I used 14 ga wire. Really keeps the rear well lighted up. I have a new third brake light I haven't mounted yet to go on the hatch. I've been rear ended before by an idiot. On Pelican Parts TECH INFO CENTER is a writeup about it.

Cheers,
Larry

gotopless · 09-27-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpa#3

I did this mod some time ago, but I bought a couple double filament bulb holders. It takes a 1157 bulb so I have an extra tail and stop light on each side. I soldered the wires together and used shrink wrap to cover the connections. Don't forget to slide the shrink wrap over the wires first. I don't remember, but I think I used 14 ga wire. Really keeps the rear well lighted up. I have a new third brake light I haven't mounted yet to go on the hatch. I've been rear ended before by an idiot. On Pelican Parts TECH INFO CENTER is a writeup about it.

Cheers,
Larry

That's a cool idea, using them for both parking and brake lights. The way I did it they are only parking lights.

I'll take some photos of my set-up when I get home and post them

gotopless · 09-27-2009, 09:33 PM

Here you go...

Keep in mind, I have these wired to be parking/running lights, not brake lights. I assume you could hook them up to the brake light circuit instead if you wanted them to be brake lights.

The parking light had 2 wires connected it (the grey wires). This is because one of them then goes down to the running light on the rear fender. I cut them both off, and used crimp/spade connectors to attach one to the existing parking light and the other to the new parking light. I then ran another wire (black, top-most wire in photo) in between the old and new parking lights. I'm not sure what size the black wire is, I just found it in the garage. For the bulbs, I just got the same ones that are in the original parking lights. Hope all that makes sense...

xsboost90 · 09-27-2009, 10:32 PM

ive done this to all my cars- good mod and worth it.

Grandpa#3 · 09-28-2009, 12:06 AM

Hi Luke, Your wiring makes sence to me. I'm retired Air Force so I am used to using shrink wrap on any wiring I do.

Cheers,
Larry

Keithr726 · 09-28-2009, 02:36 AM

I joined the club when I put my car back together last year. Need to work on the wiring a bit as one side is too dim.

jlturpin · 09-28-2009, 02:49 AM

Nice mod Luke.

harrisonrick · 09-28-2009, 10:30 AM

Jeebus Keith, I messed my drawers again with that new pic of your car.

billthe3 · 09-28-2009, 10:38 PM

Where did you guys get the extra plastic socket piece to put a bulb in the open spot on the metal grounding panel?

ArthurPE · 09-28-2009, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandpa#3

I did this mod some time ago, but I bought a couple double filament bulb holders. It takes a 1157 bulb so I have an extra tail and stop light on each side. I soldered the wires together and used shrink wrap to cover the connections. Don't forget to slide the shrink wrap over the wires first. I don't remember, but I think I used 14 ga wire. Really keeps the rear well lighted up. I have a new third brake light I haven't mounted yet to go on the hatch. I've been rear ended before by an idiot. On Pelican Parts TECH INFO CENTER is a writeup about it.

Cheers,
Larry

nice, that's the way to go...

09-27-2009, 04:30 PM	#1
gotopless Shifter Kart Pilot Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Going 100 in a 55 Posts: 153	Tailight Mod I had heard about people doing this before, and finally decided to do it myself. In the 944 tail light pods, we all know the bottom-middle section is just a reflector. However, it has the same mounting hole in the metal piece behind it as the parking light section does. Pop in a parking light socket in the reflector section of each tail light pod and wire them up, and you've got 2 more tail lights. It's a quick and easy job, and I like the results. Might save you from getting rear-ended at night! __________________ Luke 1989 Porsche 944 Intrepid TM ICC Shifter Kart - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Gute Fahrer haben die Fliegenreste auf den Seitenscheiben" -Walter Röhrl

09-27-2009, 06:53 PM	#5
Matt Sheppard Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Kalifornyuh Posts: 1,794	This is still the best "bang-for-the-buck" mod there is! __________________ Matt Sheppard '87 951 "SteinGrau" on Linen - its stock, I swear! pics 4_11_08 '92 968 Coupe Grand Prix White - parting _ _ _ _ _ _ _ "Rennlist: It takes a village to fix a car"

09-27-2009, 09:33 PM	#8
gotopless Shifter Kart Pilot Rennlist Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Going 100 in a 55 Posts: 153	Here you go... Keep in mind, I have these wired to be parking/running lights, not brake lights. I assume you could hook them up to the brake light circuit instead if you wanted them to be brake lights. The parking light had 2 wires connected it (the grey wires). This is because one of them then goes down to the running light on the rear fender. I cut them both off, and used crimp/spade connectors to attach one to the existing parking light and the other to the new parking light. I then ran another wire (black, top-most wire in photo) in between the old and new parking lights. I'm not sure what size the black wire is, I just found it in the garage. For the bulbs, I just got the same ones that are in the original parking lights. Hope all that makes sense... __________________ Luke 1989 Porsche 944 Intrepid TM ICC Shifter Kart - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Gute Fahrer haben die Fliegenreste auf den Seitenscheiben" -Walter Röhrl

09-27-2009, 10:32 PM	#9
xsboost90 Now Cool Rennlist Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: cincinnati,OH Posts: 13,438	ive done this to all my cars- good mod and worth it. __________________ "Racing is life. Everything that happens before or after is just waiting" Dan Jauch 1986 951- graphite/burgundy 1986 944- Dragon Somethin' race car 2004 c230k- blue/grey-hers 2005 f150- red/grey-support vehicle past p-cars- '87 924s, '76 914, '89 944, 86 944, '82 924, '86 944t LeMons Blog http://xsboost90.wordpress.com/

09-28-2009, 02:36 AM	#11
Keithr726 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Napa Valley, Sea Ranch, San Diego, CA Posts: 4,928	I joined the club when I put my car back together last year. Need to work on the wiring a bit as one side is too dim. __________________ Keith R. PCA Zone 7 1986 Porsche 951 2004 Audi A6 2.7T 122.2hp/Liter Looking for that perfect laguna or dark blue e46 M3 with comp. package My Rennlist Gallery Newbies watch this->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9q2jNjOPdk

09-27-2009, 04:48 PM	#2
CameronKame User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Near Winston-Salem (NC) Posts: 1,518	Nice I love small little improvements like this

09-27-2009, 05:14 PM	#3
x0panda0x Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 26	thanks for this tip. Definitely something I'm going to look into doing. :-)

09-27-2009, 06:22 PM	#4
gpotts200 User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 7	I am assuming you just added this to the current brake light circuit? What wire size did you use? Also, what type of connection did you use (crimp splice, solder, etc.) . Looks great! Thanks!

09-27-2009, 07:30 PM	#6
Grandpa#3 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hawkinsville / Perry, Georgia, RETIRED USAF GO BLUE Posts: 359	I did this mod some time ago, but I bought a couple double filament bulb holders. It takes a 1157 bulb so I have an extra tail and stop light on each side. I soldered the wires together and used shrink wrap to cover the connections. Don't forget to slide the shrink wrap over the wires first. I don't remember, but I think I used 14 ga wire. Really keeps the rear well lighted up. I have a new third brake light I haven't mounted yet to go on the hatch. I've been rear ended before by an idiot. On Pelican Parts TECH INFO CENTER is a writeup about it. Cheers, Larry

09-28-2009, 12:06 AM	#10
Grandpa#3 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Hawkinsville / Perry, Georgia, RETIRED USAF GO BLUE Posts: 359	Hi Luke, Your wiring makes sence to me. I'm retired Air Force so I am used to using shrink wrap on any wiring I do. Cheers, Larry

09-28-2009, 02:49 AM	#12
jlturpin Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Mayflower, AR Posts: 888	Nice mod Luke. __________________ Jonathan Click here to Check out a great Porsche Forum

09-28-2009, 10:30 AM	#13
harrisonrick Captain Obvious Rennlist Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Chatsworth, Ontario, Canada Posts: 5,074	Jeebus Keith, I messed my drawers again with that new pic of your car. __________________ Rick 1988 944S red with black leather 18" twists Magnaflow Hi-performance exhaust MaxHP Kit chip, custom CAI Euro bumper conversion

09-28-2009, 10:38 PM	#14
billthe3 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Danville, CA (SF east bay) Posts: 5,698	Where did you guys get the extra plastic socket piece to put a bulb in the open spot on the metal grounding panel? __________________ Bill Andrew 1986 951 - 50mph to 90mph in 3.4 sec 93 Camry - 260k mi and counting auto tech at Dietschwerks in Santa Clara