Interior/Exterior No more Baboon A**!
#1
No more Baboon A**!
I couldn't take the big red cheeks on the end of my MINI any longer! I acquired a set of stock tails from 2perCooper [Thank you very much] and the work began. We removed the lens covers and disassembled the rest of the tail assembly. We painted over the grotesque red reflective area between the "lights" with black mat. Then we lightly tinted the lenses on the inside. Put everything back together and voila! I managed to crack one of the lenses during the process, so I will have to pick up another pair, but its no biggy, we have the steps down, just need to refine the technique. Whatcha think?
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03131.JPG <-- Full Rear shot
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03134.JPG <-- Closeup
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03136.JPG <-- Turn Signal On
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03137.JPG <-- Running Light
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03138.JPG <-- Brake lights
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03131.JPG <-- Full Rear shot
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03134.JPG <-- Closeup
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03136.JPG <-- Turn Signal On
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03137.JPG <-- Running Light
http://www.iniw.com/images/DSC03138.JPG <-- Brake lights
#2
If you end up with a Peterbilt suppository
I hope these pictures don't end up as evidence against you.
Stylin' is fine, but it seems to me smoking out tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals is just not a good idea. Been riding motorcycles for a lot of years and have suffered personally and known a lot of friends who've suffered and some who've died of the "I didn't see him" syndrome. Reducing your visibility is just not a good idea.
I presume, though that if you do get rear-ended you're not the sort of person who'd deny any culpability and sue the person who hit you. You wouldn't do anything like that, would you?
Stylin' is fine, but it seems to me smoking out tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals is just not a good idea. Been riding motorcycles for a lot of years and have suffered personally and known a lot of friends who've suffered and some who've died of the "I didn't see him" syndrome. Reducing your visibility is just not a good idea.
I presume, though that if you do get rear-ended you're not the sort of person who'd deny any culpability and sue the person who hit you. You wouldn't do anything like that, would you?
#4
Actually that had been a consideration. I am pretty sure a car stuck to the rear of my MINI will look a LOT worse than the red cheeks! Since these are one-offs, we are going to do some testing with LEDs. Going to barrow my friend the photographer's light meter and do readings stock, tinted w/ stock bulbs, and tinted w/ LEDs.
Originally Posted by SpunkytheTuna
I hope these pictures don't end up as evidence against you.
Stylin' is fine, but it seems to me smoking out tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals is just not a good idea. Been riding motorcycles for a lot of years and have suffered personally and known a lot of friends who've suffered and some who've died of the "I didn't see him" syndrome. Reducing your visibility is just not a good idea.
I presume, though that if you do get rear-ended you're not the sort of person who'd deny any culpability and sue the person who hit you. You wouldn't do anything like that, would you?
Stylin' is fine, but it seems to me smoking out tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals is just not a good idea. Been riding motorcycles for a lot of years and have suffered personally and known a lot of friends who've suffered and some who've died of the "I didn't see him" syndrome. Reducing your visibility is just not a good idea.
I presume, though that if you do get rear-ended you're not the sort of person who'd deny any culpability and sue the person who hit you. You wouldn't do anything like that, would you?
#5
There is a company called Clear Corners that does LED conversions for Headlights, Turn signals, Parking lights and Rear light. Right now they offer a rebuild for the rear of the MINI but haven't had very much demand so the price is a little high. They said they will work up some side markers and turn signals if they get some interest and someone can afford to be a guinea pig. They also so some tinting but is is limited to blacking out anything in the housing that does not affect light output similar to the Hella Blacklight kits available overseas or the Helle Blacklight Aux lights sold here. I like them but just can't afford them yet.
#6
#7
Thanks for the info. I had seen these guys when I originally started this project, just couldn't justify the $800+ for tail lights! I am currently working with a couple of guys who do this sort of thing on other cars, and it looks like we will be able to come up with something that increases the output, looks good, and costs less then $100. That I can afford.
Originally Posted by doomsdaybob
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#8
yeah, what he said! IMHO anything that reduces rear facing visibility is tantamount to a death wish.
Originally Posted by SpunkytheTuna
I hope these pictures don't end up as evidence against you.
Stylin' is fine, but it seems to me smoking out tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals is just not a good idea. Been riding motorcycles for a lot of years and have suffered personally and known a lot of friends who've suffered and some who've died of the "I didn't see him" syndrome. Reducing your visibility is just not a good idea.
I presume, though that if you do get rear-ended you're not the sort of person who'd deny any culpability and sue the person who hit you. You wouldn't do anything like that, would you?
Stylin' is fine, but it seems to me smoking out tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals is just not a good idea. Been riding motorcycles for a lot of years and have suffered personally and known a lot of friends who've suffered and some who've died of the "I didn't see him" syndrome. Reducing your visibility is just not a good idea.
I presume, though that if you do get rear-ended you're not the sort of person who'd deny any culpability and sue the person who hit you. You wouldn't do anything like that, would you?
#9
Have you thought about maybe getting the wiring kit from the clear lights? It makes all the brake lights brighter...in the case of the clear ones its to avoid the pink color...but it might help you get a little more light past the tint, just an idea
Is the black mat paint on the inside or the outside of the reflector? If its on the outside, how did you remove it from the lense?
Is the black mat paint on the inside or the outside of the reflector? If its on the outside, how did you remove it from the lense?
#11
"Clear lights" <-- aftermarket? Got a link?
The tail light assembly is actually made up of 4 pieces; the base, the chrome, the light cover/reflector, and the lens. We taped off where the bulbs shine through the light cover and painted the outward facing portion with the black mat. That made quite a difference in the look right there. Does that answer the question?
The tail light assembly is actually made up of 4 pieces; the base, the chrome, the light cover/reflector, and the lens. We taped off where the bulbs shine through the light cover and painted the outward facing portion with the black mat. That made quite a difference in the look right there. Does that answer the question?
Originally Posted by RallyMINI
Have you thought about maybe getting the wiring kit from the clear lights? It makes all the brake lights brighter...in the case of the clear ones its to avoid the pink color...but it might help you get a little more light past the tint, just an idea
Is the black mat paint on the inside or the outside of the reflector? If its on the outside, how did you remove it from the lense?
Is the black mat paint on the inside or the outside of the reflector? If its on the outside, how did you remove it from the lense?
#13
Originally Posted by SumWon
Actually that had been a consideration. I am pretty sure a car stuck to the rear of my MINI will look a LOT worse than the red cheeks! Since these are one-offs, we are going to do some testing with LEDs. Going to barrow my friend the photographer's light meter and do readings stock, tinted w/ stock bulbs, and tinted w/ LEDs.
#14
Originally Posted by holdenontoit
yeah, what he said! IMHO anything that reduces rear facing visibility is tantamount to a death wish.
Charles
Edit:
If the State you live in requires a motor vehicle to meet NHTSA 108, you may be in violation of your state law. Also, your insurance company may have clauses in the policy about modifying your auto.
Last edited by CharlesWil; 09-03-2004 at 11:42 AM. Reason: Added NHTSA Reg.
#15
If someone does read-end you and your insurance company finds out you did an illegal mod to the lights, what do you think they would do.
#16
#17
Disassembly is a real bear. We are still trying to work out the technique. I am going to use the current set to work on the LED portion and then purchase a new set to refine these techniques. I would be willing to consider doing it for others if I can get things so they look professional. I don't even know what something like this would be worth to others, it was more cause I really disliked the cheeks.
These are darker than mine:
http://www.rspeed.net/mini/item.asp?...6&prod=M20-400
These look about the same as those:
http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMA3028/InvDetail.cfm
And these have elminated the reflectors:
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=39772
It's subjective. I will be happy to post the light measurements once I have them for anyone who is intersted.
Originally Posted by no_affiliation
That Looks Awesome!! Would you consider doing it for somebody and how much would you charge?
Last question, how did you get the lens apart? (i'm guessing very carefully)
Last question, how did you get the lens apart? (i'm guessing very carefully)
http://www.rspeed.net/mini/item.asp?...6&prod=M20-400
These look about the same as those:
http://new.minimania.com/web/Item/NMA3028/InvDetail.cfm
And these have elminated the reflectors:
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=39772
It's subjective. I will be happy to post the light measurements once I have them for anyone who is intersted.
#18
#19
We were just looking at the head lights at lunch! They don't look like they would be too bad to do something simular to. The problem with the head lights will be getting donor units to play with.
Originally Posted by Ethereal
Looks great. I would definately consider having this done if i had a MINI. Have you thought of blacking out the headlamp housing? Maybe some MINI enthusiast have been looking for an inexpensive way to black out the headlamps...I know i would if i had DS or Blk
#20
The Moss mini ones have reflectors though...notice the smallest red "dot" is actually just a reflector...so it still reflects....but lots of people are running around with just the clear lights...so they have no reflectors either...
By clear lights i meant the ones that MINI sells...they are all white. They also sell a special wiring kit that makes the lights brighter...check it out...they have it on moss somewhere too
By clear lights i meant the ones that MINI sells...they are all white. They also sell a special wiring kit that makes the lights brighter...check it out...they have it on moss somewhere too
#21
Originally Posted by SumWon
We were just looking at the head lights at lunch! They don't look like they would be too bad to do something simular to. The problem with the head lights will be getting donor units to play with.
#22
Agreed, the RSpeed, Mini Mania, and others do not eliminate the reflector.
From Moss MINI:
"Installation without the wiring kit requires splicing and soldering into your factory harness. For a clean and professional installation we suggest using the wiring kit below."
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=36688
I don't see the part about making the lights brighter.
From Moss MINI:
"Installation without the wiring kit requires splicing and soldering into your factory harness. For a clean and professional installation we suggest using the wiring kit below."
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=36688
I don't see the part about making the lights brighter.
Originally Posted by RallyMINI
The Moss mini ones have reflectors though...notice the smallest red "dot" is actually just a reflector...so it still reflects....but lots of people are running around with just the clear lights...so they have no reflectors either...
By clear lights i meant the ones that MINI sells...they are all white. They also sell a special wiring kit that makes the lights brighter...check it out...they have it on moss somewhere too
By clear lights i meant the ones that MINI sells...they are all white. They also sell a special wiring kit that makes the lights brighter...check it out...they have it on moss somewhere too
#24
Originally Posted by SumWon
Agreed, the RSpeed, Mini Mania, and others do not eliminate the reflector.
From Moss MINI:
"Installation without the wiring kit requires splicing and soldering into your factory harness. For a clean and professional installation we suggest using the wiring kit below."
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=36688
I don't see the part about making the lights brighter.
From Moss MINI:
"Installation without the wiring kit requires splicing and soldering into your factory harness. For a clean and professional installation we suggest using the wiring kit below."
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...eIndexID=36688
I don't see the part about making the lights brighter.
EDIT: Here it is... found this over on mini2...apparently they increase the light output and do the fog-brake light conversion that you already have...
Here is what I was told by Moss MINI:
"The wiring harness is installed underneath the front dash running from the
fuse box (on the left) to the Body Control Module (BCM, on the right). It
is necessary for the following reasons:
1. The euro lights require an increase in voltage and/or amps to operate
correctly. If the wiring harness is not installed the lights will glow pink
rather than red.
2. The wiring harness enables the top rear lights (otherwise known as the
fog lights in Europe) to activate when the brakes are applied and/or the
driving lights are on.
This is the first set of lights Irvine BMW has installed and it took them
around 4 hours (because of the wiring harness)."
Whatcha Think?
"The wiring harness is installed underneath the front dash running from the
fuse box (on the left) to the Body Control Module (BCM, on the right). It
is necessary for the following reasons:
1. The euro lights require an increase in voltage and/or amps to operate
correctly. If the wiring harness is not installed the lights will glow pink
rather than red.
2. The wiring harness enables the top rear lights (otherwise known as the
fog lights in Europe) to activate when the brakes are applied and/or the
driving lights are on.
This is the first set of lights Irvine BMW has installed and it took them
around 4 hours (because of the wiring harness)."
Whatcha Think?
#25
I think we all get the point about "diminished visibility" from the rear. We can find stories or post pics all day like this one:
which btw does not have tinted tails, to support or refute our points. I should have been more explicit when I asked my question, please allow me to rephrase "What do you think of the appearance of my MINI with these modified tail lights?"
Thanks RallyMINI, I will look more into the harness.
which btw does not have tinted tails, to support or refute our points. I should have been more explicit when I asked my question, please allow me to rephrase "What do you think of the appearance of my MINI with these modified tail lights?"
Thanks RallyMINI, I will look more into the harness.