I'm not really a big fan pf AP2's... Minus the front bumper and lip, I think the headlights and taillights are busy as far as design goes... I like the simplistic look of the AP1... Just wish they made them LED instead of incandescent! I seen a few other guys give an LED conversion a go and decided I was going to do my with a bit more finesse. You can follow along with my taillights here if you'd like! Enjoy.

Here is the basic layout:


Designing the layout:


Physical layout, pre-breadboard:


Final layout, running a few numbers:




Now infront of the LED's i will using a diffusor in order to evenly distribute the light so you can't see each LED individually. If you dont understand what I mean you'll get what im trying to say later on in the build.

 

I pretty much agree I like the way the ap1 taillights evoke the older Sxxx models. Though why cant you make the inner LEDs concentric with the outer ring?

 

if I wasnt doing a diffuser I would, you wont be able to tell the difference once the diffuser is installed. The light will be evenly distrinuted like the BMW light on the left, instead of like the one on the right.

 

I understand the diffuser concept, but I'm highly particular about details and probably would notice. Don't mean to bash it, I was just curious if there was any other reason behind the layout and I'll probably be a future buyer. Are you going to reproduce the AP1 housings or would this be a retro fit? It would be sweet if you could put the AP2 style tails in the AP1 style housing (if that makes anysense outside of my mind). I'm curious, what software are you using it appears to be some Adobe program?

 

It's adobe flash... The taillights will be brighter overall with the setup how I have it now, if I did concentric rings, i can fit less LED's overall. Like I said, once the diffuser is in, you wont be able to see anything but a solid portion of light, you will not be able to distinguish how the LED's are set up.

I really wasn't planning on selling these, just building a set for myself. These will be a retrofit. If people are interested, maybe I will become a vendor and start a group buy for the service to modify their taillights. But that would be later on down the road.

 

very kool stuff here.

 

Thanks! Should be pretty cool once its done!

 

very nice. ive always wanted to do this mod, wish someone sold a kit that I can glue into my housing

 

I totally agree that the Ap1 taillights do look good, just wish it was LED. You should do a group buy, i wouldn't mind sending in my taillights to get done. Keep us posted. I want to see the end result.

 

Well I guess if enough people are interested I could do it. Ive been working alot this week and the car is still in storage so I havent gotten a chance to work on it much. I will hopefully get around to it this weekend!