DIY: Headlight LED's and blackout

DIGItonium · 06-29-2009, 08:31 PM

I'd prefer epoxy over hot glue because it tends to get soft especially in this 100 deg. weather and direct sunlight. Sweet job! I don't have the time and guts to pull apart my headlight assembly.

AK370Z · 06-29-2009, 08:33 PM

GReat job! I don't think I have the guts to drill into my headlights.

for job well done.

Caravanshaka · 06-29-2009, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium

I'd prefer epoxy over hot glue because it tends to get soft especially in this 100 deg. weather and direct sunlight. Sweet job! I don't have the time and guts to pull apart my headlight assembly.

Epoxy isn't a bad idea to use for mounting. A little more permanent might not be a bad thing

All of the LED's (except that 3rd one from the bottom) fit in there pretty snug without the glue, so I don't foresee any problems with it. Epoxy is a good alternative if you are a little uncomfortable with hot glue.

Time wasn't too bad, I could do a second set in about 6-7 hours...but it definitely takes guts, and it was still nerve racking!

Caravanshaka · 06-29-2009, 11:02 PM

night pics added on the other thread

Headlight project, Black-out and LED's at home!

racerxj17 · 07-01-2009, 10:31 AM

i am going to do the BHM, and mine is also PW. are you happy with the color match of the white? i cant decide if i want to pant the shroud in the light white, or leave it silver. nice job!

s4play · 03-10-2010, 01:04 AM

Looks nice, we've been doing LED headlight mods for s2000 / NSX owners for quite some time now.

Any issues with LED contact failure rates? We've found over time the individual LED's tend to have problems....

dlmartin81 · 03-10-2010, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4play

Looks nice, we've been doing LED headlight mods for s2000 / NSX owners for quite some time now.

Any issues with LED contact failure rates? We've found over time the individual LED's tend to have problems....

Wow....great LED work, man. I'd like to see something like that for the Z.

Javier · 04-23-2011, 11:16 PM

Hi. I'm thinking of doing the same to my headlights but my numbers indicate that I should be using 200 OHM resistors at 1 watt. The LEDs are runnung at 26mA not the 20mA that they are designed for so the current draws .762 watts. Therefore you should us at least a 1 watt resistor not 1/4 or 1/2. My numbers are as follows: 12 v devided .060mA (3 leds in series) = 200 ohms. Please let me know what you think. I just do not want to be opening these headlights once a year. The way I see it the current is greater than the resistor can handle and they may burn up.

NISMOFO · 04-24-2011, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javier

Hi. I'm thinking of doing the same to my headlights but my numbers indicate that I should be using 200 OHM resistors at 1 watt. The LEDs are runnung at 26mA not the 20mA that they are designed for so the current draws .762 watts. Therefore you should us at least a 1 watt resistor not 1/4 or 1/2. My numbers are as follows: 12 v devided .060mA (3 leds in series) = 200 ohms. Please let me know what you think. I just do not want to be opening these headlights once a year. The way I see it the current is greater than the resistor can handle and they may burn up.

I have the OPs car and lights. Three if the LEDs started flickering on one light. I have since disconnected the LEDs. Way too much headache. Not sure if this helps but more so a warning that you could be right ....or maybe something got loose.

Personal taste but I like it better without the flashy LEDs. I must be getting old.

mywhite370z1 · 04-25-2011, 06:45 AM

Same thing happened to my lights after about a year they all started to blink, I believe the watt on the resistor on the LEDs was to big and shorted out the LEDs, you have to get resistors for a voltage between 14.2, I measured the voltage on my 370z while the car was on, I changed out all the LEDs with a 1/8 watt and 180ohm or 200 ohm and they seem to be fine, it's been probably about 6 months now. I will keep you guys updated if anything goes wrong, also it's bad keeping the LEDs on while the car is turned of the current running to the LEDs is alot less and will cause a shortage

Caravanshaka · 07-01-2009, 10:35 AM

I think the color match of the projector housings looks fantastic. It gives a nice contrast in the headlight, and kind of makes them look like eyes if you know what I mean. The paint I got was a bit expensive ($60 for basecoat, midcoat, and clearcoat) but came with plenty of paint to do both headlights, engine cover, and a lot more. Color-match was pretty damn close to dead-on, I can't tell a difference when looking at them but I don't know if I'd use it for touch-up or not.

I Run L.A. · 07-01-2009, 11:27 PM

Nice write.. i thank you..

RITDR · 07-07-2009, 11:28 AM

Excellent work!

The only thing I would suggest is that it's not a bad idea to use some painters tape to cover the chrome strip when drilling the holes. If you are planning on painting this piece after it's not a big deal, but if you are going to leave it chrome, on little slip of the drill can be a real pain in the

.

Great job though, and thanks for the write up!

Caravanshaka · 07-07-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RITDR

Excellent work!

The only thing I would suggest is that it's not a bad idea to use some painters tape to cover the chrome strip when drilling the holes. If you are planning on painting this piece after it's not a big deal, but if you are going to leave it chrome, on little slip of the drill can be a real pain in the

.

Great job though, and thanks for the write up!

Definitely a good idea if you are not painting afterwards, good thinking

VTalumni · 07-12-2009, 08:38 PM

Awesome job man! They definitely look 100x better. And thanks for the great write-up.

06-29-2009, 08:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 43	I'd prefer epoxy over hot glue because it tends to get soft especially in this 100 deg. weather and direct sunlight. Sweet job! I don't have the time and guts to pull apart my headlight assembly. __________________

06-29-2009, 08:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
AK370Z Administrator Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 9,930 Drives: 09 370Z MB Sports M6 Rep Power: 10	GReat job! I don't think I have the guts to drill into my headlights. for job well done. __________________ The370Z Signature Pictures ll Want to rock our forum decals on your car? Then click here! ll How to Embed YouTube Videos In a Post STOP! (Hammertime) ll Become a Premium Member Click HERE ll F.A.Q. Are You a Nissan Dealer? Click Here to Become A "Supporting Dealer" and Start Listing Your 370Zs In Our Inventory Section My Monterey Blue Z ll My Exhaust --> My Intake --> G3 Nissan's Official Response Regarding Oil Temp Issue: CLICK HERE Need a Set of Cheap Winter wheels /Tires? Then Visit The Banner Link Below and Place Your Order. You'll Help Keep The370Z Alive.

07-01-2009, 10:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
racerxj17 Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 555 Drives: 09 370z Rep Power: 18	i am going to do the BHM, and mine is also PW. are you happy with the color match of the white? i cant decide if i want to pant the shroud in the light white, or leave it silver. nice job! __________________ 2009 PW Sport/Touring/Nav M6 Stillen Gen 3 Intake/CBE/Berk HFC/BC BR Coil over/Phillips 6500k/Hotchkis Sways/Stillen oil cooler/B&M SS

03-10-2010, 01:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
s4play Base Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: BAY AREA Posts: 4 Drives: IS-F, s2000, M3, NSX Rep Power: 16	heyyy... Looks nice, we've been doing LED headlight mods for s2000 / NSX owners for quite some time now. Any issues with LED contact failure rates? We've found over time the individual LED's tend to have problems....

04-23-2011, 11:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
Javier Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 40 Drives: 09 nissan 370z Rep Power: 10139	LEDs Hi. I'm thinking of doing the same to my headlights but my numbers indicate that I should be using 200 OHM resistors at 1 watt. The LEDs are runnung at 26mA not the 20mA that they are designed for so the current draws .762 watts. Therefore you should us at least a 1 watt resistor not 1/4 or 1/2. My numbers are as follows: 12 v devided .060mA (3 leds in series) = 200 ohms. Please let me know what you think. I just do not want to be opening these headlights once a year. The way I see it the current is greater than the resistor can handle and they may burn up.

06-29-2009, 11:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 43	night pics added on the other thread Headlight project, Black-out and LED's at home!

04-25-2011, 06:45 AM	#10 (permalink)
mywhite370z1 Base Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: florida Posts: 4 Drives: white 370z 6sp Rep Power: 15	Same thing happened to my lights after about a year they all started to blink, I believe the watt on the resistor on the LEDs was to big and shorted out the LEDs, you have to get resistors for a voltage between 14.2, I measured the voltage on my 370z while the car was on, I changed out all the LEDs with a 1/8 watt and 180ohm or 200 ohm and they seem to be fine, it's been probably about 6 months now. I will keep you guys updated if anything goes wrong, also it's bad keeping the LEDs on while the car is turned of the current running to the LEDs is alot less and will cause a shortage

07-01-2009, 10:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 43	I think the color match of the projector housings looks fantastic. It gives a nice contrast in the headlight, and kind of makes them look like eyes if you know what I mean. The paint I got was a bit expensive ($60 for basecoat, midcoat, and clearcoat) but came with plenty of paint to do both headlights, engine cover, and a lot more. Color-match was pretty damn close to dead-on, I can't tell a difference when looking at them but I don't know if I'd use it for touch-up or not.

07-01-2009, 11:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
I Run L.A. Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: So Cal / SF Valley Posts: 329 Drives: 09 370Z Mag Blk Rep Power: 17	Nice write.. i thank you..

07-07-2009, 11:28 AM	#13 (permalink)
RITDR Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 83 Drives: 2012 MB 370Z Rep Power: 16	Nice! Excellent work! The only thing I would suggest is that it's not a bad idea to use some painters tape to cover the chrome strip when drilling the holes. If you are planning on painting this piece after it's not a big deal, but if you are going to leave it chrome, on little slip of the drill can be a real pain in the . Great job though, and thanks for the write up!

07-12-2009, 08:38 PM	#15 (permalink)
VTalumni Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Germany Posts: 31 Drives: 370z soon to come Rep Power: 17	Awesome job man! They definitely look 100x better. And thanks for the great write-up. __________________ '98 Ford zx2 '04 SRT-4 '07 Scion tc

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
DIY: Headlight Removal	DIGItonium	DIY Section (Do-It-Yourself)	34	09-03-2017 08:01 PM
180 Custom Headlight Review!	bullitt5897	Exterior & Interior	43	12-10-2010 05:26 PM
Blacked out headlight for PG !!!	msl82	Exterior & Interior	31	05-02-2009 06:06 PM
Blacked out headlight	msl82	Nissan 370Z General Discussions	6	01-02-2009 12:47 PM