Rear brake light lens modifications

[pe2unia]

Steved57 started with this idea (thanks Steve) so I was able to come across a damaged lens that I could cut open to look into the possible ways to reuse the lenses without damage to them and not having to replace the lenses once they were removed. Here are a few cut away pictures of the inside of the lens.

Here I cut off the stud and prepared the lens for drilling

Here I drilled the proper size hole for the nutsert used. As you can see there is a piece of metal behind the holes about a 1/4" from the back of the lens. When you are drilling the hole go slow and easy and you will have no problems.

Be sure not to use any bolts longer than 5/8" long or your bolt will go into the metal part of the lens.

Here are the lenses re-installed. This really turned out nice!

Here is another option for some as this is what Kevin (KDO GT) did to his gal. Go by your local hardware store and get these types of fasteners, drill a small hole, insert fastener and your done.

 

[GT35065]

Do you epoxy the nutsert into place?

Thanks,
Rick

 

[pe2unia]

Do you epoxy the nutsert into place?

Thanks,
Rick

I didn't use any epoxy only the tool that expands the metal out like a pop rivet tool would. Although it wouldn't hurt to do both if you wanted to but on the test piece I pulled and tugged with no evident problems.

 

[STORMCAT]

Looks great !! Thanks for sharing ...

 

[soroush]

good job, looks like a great alternative!

 

[steved57]

good job pe2unia - i finished mine the same way however i wasnt smart enough to figure out how to take it apart so i used pressurized air and a vacuum cleaner once i drilled the holes - anyway so i used the riv nuts
also - yours looks like it came out very good - "good work pe2unia" !

ok now how do pop the light back in ? in other words the lip at the top ?

steve

 

[pe2unia]

good job pe2unia - i finished mine the same way however i wasnt smart enough to figure out how to take it apart so i used pressurized air and a vacuum cleaner once i drilled the holes - anyway so i used the riv nuts
also - yours looks like it came out very good - "good work pe2unia" !

ok now how do pop the light back in ? in other words the lip at the top ?

steve

I put the edge of the clip at the opening on the tail piece and it just snapped in for me. This is like the third time I have installed them and no problems what so ever.

 

[pe2unia]

Hey Shelby, being you are doing the smoke finish for other folks you may want to consider doing this mod as part of the deal to help out other members. If you decide to do so I will be more than glad to help you out in any way.:cheers

 

[shelbyelite]

Hey Shelby, being you are doing the smoke finish for other folks you may want to consider doing this mod as part of the deal to help out other members. If you decide to do so I will be more than glad to help you out in any way.:cheers

Thanks. Thats a possiblilty if someone requests it. :thumbsup

 

[Shadowman]

good job pe2unia - i finished mine the same way however i wasnt smart enough to figure out how to take it apart so i used pressurized air and a vacuum cleaner once i drilled the holes - anyway so i used the riv nuts
also - yours looks like it came out very good - "good work pe2unia" !

ok now how do pop the light back in ? in other words the lip at the top ?

steve

Steve

He did not take them apart to install the Nutserts but rather a donor light was used and cut open to look at the inside of it as a point of reference.

The Nutserts were in fact installed while the tail lights were assembled.

This IMO is a very nice aka OEM way to update the mouting of the tail lights should they ever need to be removed.

Takes care

Shadowman

 

[timcantwell]

Thanks for sharing. I appreciate those who have the courage to take things apart to see how they work and fix if possible. I have saved countless thousands by prying apart assemblies and replacing easy-to-find components in my Ferraris. Good work!

 

[steved57]

shadowman - its funny you now tell me this as when i got home last night i studied the light for fifteen minutes or so wondering how the heck it comes
apart !! i feel better now !!

steve

 

[KDO GT]

Great job as always John:banana:banana

 

[Beach-GT]

Steved57 started with this idea (thanks Steve) so I was able to come across a damaged lens that I could cut open to look into the possible ways to reuse the lenses without damage to them and not having to replace the lenses once they were removed. Here are a few cut away pictures of the inside of the lens.


Could you open this up in a way that it can be put back together? My stop lights on the right side are out but my running lights work. There must be a failure inside the housing and I want to try to repair it.

 

[pe2unia]

Steved57 started with this idea (thanks Steve) so I was able to come across a damaged lens that I could cut open to look into the possible ways to reuse the lenses without damage to them and not having to replace the lenses once they were removed. Here are a few cut away pictures of the inside of the lens.


Could you open this up in a way that it can be put back together? My stop lights on the right side are out but my running lights work. There must be a failure inside the housing and I want to try to repair it.

No, but the control circuit board does unscrew off the back of the lens as this could be your problem (maybe a fuse). Review the 4th and 5th picture as this will show you the circuit board removal and how the wires connect.:thumbsup

 

[roketman]

Your brave !

 

[JOETWINT]

Great Job!:thumbsup

 

[Beach-GT]

That may do it. I'll have to get in there this weekend. Fortunately I am an EE.

 

[MAD IN NC]

That may do it. I'll have to get in there this weekend. Fortunately I am an EE.

Same, was, as when everything went Surface Mount - I threw away my bench!

... but, the basic do still help. Especially when I hear Frank screwing up something :rofl

 

[Beach-GT]

SMT really no problem.