924Board.org

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

Has anyone ever considered doing a single to dual filament conversion on their taillights? I of course purchased the all red tail lights from Justin Webb and added that middle lower light which increases the light but still not satisfied. I really want anyone driving behind me at night to know that I am a car and not some figment of their imagination.

I've been trying to determine what to do; from LED light replacements (simple to complex) all the way to redesign of the tail lights including the reflective material and have finally come up with a reasonable and applicable solution for others as well:

dual filament all bulbs! The breakdown:

- The inner bulbs (brakes) would remain brake lights along with running lights.
- The two lower lights would mimic the brake bulb set (running lights)
- The two upper lights (outside each brake light) would be both turn signals and running lights

Take note: All lights would be running lights. The back of the car would then be fully lit up so instead of two little dots indicating the back of the car the entire tail lights would be lit up.

To take on this I of course have to figure out how to swap out single to dual filament connections. I have questions that perhaps people could answer:

Do our cars share this filament connection with any other vehicles? Perhaps it would be possible to get dual filament connections and just pop them in place and alter the wiring.

Anyone else do anything creative or see anything creative done to improve tail lights above and beyond the norm?
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AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

Here is a visual on the tail lights that would need to be adapted:

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Porsche 924 Wide Body LS1 Corvette 500 Horsepower Engine

morghen · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 9095 Location: Romania

drive faster ? problem solved

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ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

First, I would be worried about the additional current required for the dual filament bulbs. Make sure that whatever bulbs you use aren't rated at a higher wattage/current draw than the stock bulbs.

Second, you would need to find dual filament bulb holders in two different sizes (which I'm sure you are already aware of). The way our bulb holders work, the metal plate in your photo acts as ground, and the plastic clip-on holder provides positive. The best bet for finding something that might snap in place of the original clip-on piece would be to find out which VW and Audi platforms got dual filament bulbs, and then have a look at their holder.

It sure seems to me that the easier and safer thing to do would be to convert to LED. Why have you ruled that out? Much lower current draw (when done properly), the bulbs last nearly forever, and much brighter than any incandescent bulb.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

morghen · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 9095 Location: Romania

There are LED direct replacements for the older bulbs. They emit more light and draw less power...however it is ilegal to modify your lights in my country(so check legislation in yours)....nobody cares that the LED bulbs are better than the 30 years old bulb, they arent tested and homologated and you get fined.

Thuth is that i hate new cars with such powerfull tail lights...yea you can spot them from a mile away(so what?)...but they actually blind the guy driving behind or at the stoplights.
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Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11733 Location: PacNW

SuperBrightLEDs.com?
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WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

Oops, I should state that I meant a complete redesign using LED lights and their own unique design. We are talking the works (the one that I decided against as it could take hundreds to nearly $1000 depending on how extreme I went): Cutting out the housing and installing custom laid out LED's for a unique design.

Yes: I most likely will be using LED bulbs in place of the current bulbs - with the amount of power that would draw I would rather have LED's.

Thank you for clarifying that.

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

I am going to use this as an entry log of notes and hopefully in the future when they uncover the internet from its dust they will figure out what I did to make these tail lights so awesome:

The potential connectors: http://www.autolumination.com/connectors.htm

The bulbs:
http://www.autolumination.com/automotive_car_truck_motorcycle_led_light_bulbs/tail_brake_turn_signal_parking_backup_taillight_running_back_reverse_stop/7506_p21w_7528_7507_7225_py21w_ba15s_bay15d_baz15d_bau15s/7507_7225_all_led_bulbs.htm

Thoughts on this? I am going to do some digging on if any other car of the era has the connectors so I would not have to reinvent the wheel...
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Porsche 924 Wide Body LS1 Corvette 500 Horsepower Engine

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

Now broken down better: The ideal bulb are far as brightness and size that fit:

http://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/tail-brake-turn/1157-led-bulb-dual-intensity-45-smd-led-tower-/814/
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Classic British Sports Car Restoration v6 + v8 Engine Conversion Swaps

Porsche 924 Wide Body LS1 Corvette 500 Horsepower Engine

Shurick · Joined: 15 May 2005 Posts: 524 Location: Russia, Moscow.

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN

When you just have these for running lamps thats when you know you have pathetic rear lighting... This needs to change.

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Classic British Sports Car Restoration v6 + v8 Engine Conversion Swaps

Porsche 924 Wide Body LS1 Corvette 500 Horsepower Engine

kcoyle · Joined: 15 Jan 2011 Posts: 712 Location: Long Island, NY

Funny, I just had my car in for yearly inspection and I had to replace one of these bulbs since it was burnt out. I never realized how dinky they are. The license plate bulbs look brighter.

I think I am at least going to do this when I get time.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/550305-upgraded-rear-tail-lights-using-euro-fog-slots-photos.html

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fiat22turbo · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 4040 Location: Portland, OR

AppleBit · Joined: 16 Nov 2002 Posts: 1516 Location: Minneapolis, MN