After a little discussion, i decided to do a simple and short write up on illuminating the rear bumper reflector.

 

If yours is like mine and is a sealed unit, there are 2 ways (possibly more) to get a bulb or led in there.

 

Bear in mind an led is directional, unlike a filament bulb, so IMO you wont get the best light from an led in the normal bulb position, so go for a standard white 501 filament bulb for that position.

 

you will have to drill a hole in the plastic backing, be careful not to push too hard as you could hit the red reflector and possibly crack it (job ruined) so take your time with the hole cutting.

 

You can use a 501 bulb holder, you will have to gradually make the hole bigger and using a dremmel create the lug holes needed to hold the bulb holder. Solder tails (wire) to each side of the bulb holder a 6-8inch length initially, so you can place a bullit or spade crimp to the ends. This makes it easier for future removal etc.. If you take your illumination feed from the number plate lights, you will need the female bullit or spade crimp (preferably insulated) to connect to the other end of the bumper light.

 

To connect an led, i found it best to use a 5mm flat top led a(wide dispersion) b( it has a natural rim, which acts as a stop)

 

Drill a 5mm hole in the centre of the rear of the reflector and the led fits nice and snug into the hole, the natural rim stops it going in further. It is a tight fit but you could use some glue to make sure it doesnt come out.

 

Solder a 12v(470ohm) resister to the anode (longer leg) of the led, then solder a tail(6-8 inch wire) to the resistor and insulate using heat shrink.

Solder a tail(6-8 inch wire) to the negative leg of the led and heat shrink.

Using bullit or insulated spade crimps, place a male crimp on each of the two tails.

Run your feed wires from the number plate lights, add crimps to the ends that reach the bumper light and connect.

 

Turn on your side lights and hey presto, your rear bumper reflectors light up.

 

Hope this helps, i will be putting or some more pics of the resistor soldering and wiring to the number plate lights.

 

Cheers

Graham

Edited September 22, 200916 yr by groover

Thanks for the write up :bow:

 

I might have a go at this

Nice write-up Graham :bow:

I did this a while back and fitted a standard bulb holder, but I like the LED arrangement ;) Also ran mine from the number plate light

Thanks guys, its just a quicky, i need to do it properly and put pics in order and add some more when its finished

Excellent write up mate, just doing mine now, Isaac`s next!! i will put flashing pink led`s in his, shhhhh dont tell him!!

 

Daz

Excellent write up mate, just doing mine now, Isaac`s next!! i will put flashing pink led`s in his, shhhhh dont tell him!!

 

Daz

 

i feel a trip to Blackpool coming on :cool:

 

no pink though lol :smash:

Nice one Graham, never thought my last thread would cause so much interest LOL

If it's any help to anyone, heres a pic of mine illuminated!

 

Excellent write up mate, just doing mine now, Isaac`s next!! i will put flashing pink led`s in his, shhhhh dont tell him!!

 

Daz

 

I will be round in the early hours doing a nice little swap if you do :p

 

Lemme know when i can bring em round mate ;)

 

i feel a trip to Blackpool coming on :cool:

 

no pink though lol :smash:

 

What you going to Blackpool for? :rofl:

What you going to Blackpool for? :rofl:

 

 

To come and see you two of course :D,

 

Actually I've been saying to Daz i'll come and see the Z31 he has for ages now and i'm intreaged on this light up reflector mod, but you know what my diy skills are like :rofl::rofl:

To come and see you two of course :D,

 

Actually I've been saying to Daz i'll come and see the Z31 he has for ages now and i'm intreaged on this light up reflector mod, but you know what my diy skills are like :rofl::rofl:

 

Well when you get there mate, give me a jingle and i'll contemplate the 1 hour journey to meet you :p :rofl: :rofl:

 

We live in Sunny Southport my friend, you should know, you've been enough times :slap: :rofl: :rofl:

 

Isaac :tongue:

Well when you get there mate, give me a jingle and i'll contemplate the 1 hour journey to meet you :p :rofl: :rofl:

 

We live in Sunny Southport my friend, you should know, you've been enough times :slap: :rofl: :rofl:

 

Isaac :tongue:

 

Just shows what a hard days work does to Ya :mac1: lol, you sure you dont live in blackpool?? :rofl::rofl:

 

Right i'll keep it zipped now, so we can get back on topic

 

Groover- pm on the way

Just shows what a hard days work does to Ya :mac1: lol, you sure you dont live in blackpool?? :rofl::rofl:

 

Right i'll keep it zipped now, so we can get back on topic

 

Groover- pm on the way

 

I've been working in Blackpool all week actually, but i'm fairly certain i live in Southport :D And thank fook i do, no offense to anyone who lives there but if i owned Blackpool and hell i'd rent Blackpool out and live in hell!! :rofl:

Just shows what a hard days work does to Ya :mac1: lol, you sure you dont live in blackpool?? :rofl::rofl:

 

Right i'll keep it zipped now, so we can get back on topic

 

Groover- pm on the way

 

ahhhh, I`ve just got it!!!;) i was wondering for ages `why` Blackpool??

silly me and silly you Chris :D

 

DaZ

Nice Write up Graham :cool: