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Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 11:06 AM

Had a brain fart at Pep Boys and bought a couple led strips. I want to increas my visibility. Car is driven mostly daytime.

After playing with a few options I decided to put them in the horn grills. Luckily they squeeze in perfectly between the vanes and can be clipped every 3rd light. Powered with an inline fuse and to the ignition side of the fuse box so they go on with the key.

bot the 12" and trimmed 3 lights. They are a lot brighter in person. Camera battery was running down but managed a few pics.

I'm changing the bulbs in my H4s to match. Night pics soon I hope.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 11:06 AM

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 11:07 AM

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 11:08 AM

Turned off...

Posted by: flipb Mar 10 2011, 11:10 AM

I like it. Did you cut the horn grills or are these mounted in between slats?

If they're pretty bright (for use as DRLs), I think it's a very useful and cool looking mod.

Posted by: pt_700 Mar 10 2011, 11:11 AM

kind of on the fence but, think i'd prefer the usual round lights there, wired to be on during the day if increased visibility is what you're after.

kind of a "me too!" look, following audi.

just my 2 cents.

Posted by: 736conver Mar 10 2011, 11:13 AM

If you want to increase your visibility paint your car orange.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 11:13 AM

Fit perfect between the slats. Visible in the daytime and bright at night. i can tell because at stoplights I can see eyeballs across the intersection wandering to my car where before it wasn't as much.

Posted by: tradisrad Mar 10 2011, 11:14 AM

I like the idea, but why not install some fog lamps and run with them on?

I checked out your build thread. Looks like you put the fuchs and center consol in your '70, but kept the seats in the early configuration. I did the same with mine and I consider the fuchs and center consol a tasteful upgrade. Nice job.

I also put the corvette brake light on my engine lid to help folks see that I am stopping...

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 11:14 AM

Thought of that awhile ago...tangerine is my favorite...but kept the original color after the crew chimed in.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 11:17 AM

Thought of fog lights but then I would need new grills and lights and expense goes up. This was $20.

Wanted to modernize a little. I think with all these new roadsters companies are making, our 914s can actually look like a current design.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 11:19 AM

Thanks...need to work on the rear next. These strip led are really bright behind the rear lenses. Have to think of something there.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 10 2011, 11:36 AM

There's two camps. I'm not in that camp but, it looks good and looks to be very well done.

Posted by: BKLA Mar 10 2011, 12:12 PM

Tried something similar - where I wrapped the fog light hole with a circle of LED's... wasn't thrilled with the look. (personal opinion)

On a highly modified car, they look good IMHO. But not a "stock" looking teener....

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 12:17 PM

Beginning to think I should pull them off and toss them back on the rice-roni shelf.
As I see your comments come in I'm thinking it may cheapen the look of the car.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 12:18 PM

As I'm looking at these pics...are the side mirrors supposed to droop down like this?

Posted by: SGB Mar 10 2011, 12:25 PM

I like 'em more here than on an Audi. Pretty hip.

2 points-
Fogs on without HLs will get you a ticket here in my little town. Even as "markers". BTDT.

That left HL cover can be re-aligned. Loosen up the three allen head bolts on the pivot part toward the inside of the trunk. Take out the "eyebrow" in front of the light assembly- it just is held by rubber bumps protruding into holes. Align the headlight in closed position to try to follow hood surface, tighten down. You may have to fiddle with the other (fender) side pivot, or loosen and move the motor just a little.

More visibility is alwaysa a good thing (unless you are Charlie Sheen, I guess).

Posted by: ConeDodger Mar 10 2011, 12:26 PM

Eric is on the other side of the campground in a different tent but I agree... Looks to be well executed... But not what I would do.

Posted by: DanT Mar 10 2011, 12:35 PM

mirror gaskets (little black plastic wafers have an angle to them) they are probably on back wards....
wedge shape should be thickest furthest from the windows...

Posted by: turboman808 Mar 10 2011, 12:37 PM

Rice O Roni shelf sounds like a good place for it.

I am seeing these more and more on riced out pieces of shit. Hopefully that means Audi will stop doing it. Always thought it looked stupid and it hurts my eyes even during the day.

Posted by: DanT Mar 10 2011, 12:40 PM

I am in the same campground as Eric and Rob, but I am in my RV

for safety I think they are not that bad and when they are off, can't really be seen.

I have been considering doing something similar to the front of my '75.
Just haven't figured out where and how quite yet.
May do a strip just below the stock fog lights....since the fogs are rectangular on a '75 a strip of LEDs just below the opening might not look too out of place...
and since I already have a HMSL on the rear of my car.... it might go along with the theme.

Posted by: windforfun Mar 10 2011, 01:03 PM

Very nice. Add more rows.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 01:19 PM

In my best Barbarino voice..."I'm so confused!"

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 01:20 PM

Arg!

Posted by: Root_Werks Mar 10 2011, 01:39 PM

Loose 'em.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 01:56 PM

Interesting range:

Add more rows to

Posted by: pt_700 Mar 10 2011, 01:58 PM

poor gary! seem to have stirred the pot, no?

we 914 people seem to like tradition. woe be to he who messes with tradition! ha ha!

kudos to you for trying something new and different, especially without cutting anything!

funny, how something started by audi (as far as i know) has been accepted by the rice crowd but not another german marque?

could always drive topless and attract attention with your "headlights"!

Posted by: nsr-jamie Mar 10 2011, 02:17 PM

Its your car, you have the right to do what ever you like to it. Personally I think its too modern for a vintage car like ours and your car is very stock looking. But than again it does increase visibility which increases safety. I live in Japan which is home of the rice burners and most cars that have LED daylight running lights are either Taxi's, Buses (recently) and mini vans

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 02:41 PM

Funny I just bot the 08 Audi A4 which got me thinking about the whole led thing. It seems the "Audi" gang opinion is that Audi started it in the headlights, BMW does the halo lights...everything else is bogus.

The new Porsches have horizontal ones down in the grill...thought I would try it.

Now leaning towards the "take it off camp".

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 02:45 PM

It would be a cool look though to drive up to a posh valet with only those lights on and open the door to have ice white puddle and footwell lights light up.

Going to do it on the Audi; but gotta admit it would be cool on a black on black teener.

Posted by: Andyrew Mar 10 2011, 03:10 PM

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 10 2011, 03:23 PM

Posted by: Andyrew Mar 10 2011, 03:35 PM

Fog light replacement

Posted by: windforfun Mar 10 2011, 03:38 PM

Posted by: zymurgist Mar 10 2011, 04:09 PM

The question is, do YOU like them? It's your car.

Personally, I think it's pretty cool, although multiple rows would be cooler.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 10 2011, 04:33 PM

Your drivers side headlight bucket bothers me more than the lights or the mirrors.

Loosen these 3 M6 hex thingy's and play around with it. Looks like back corner low, front corner high:


Also... if it's a saftey thing, I've seen more teeners rear-ended (settle down Sime). If there's any mod I think worthy of a stockish car it would be the Vette 3rd brake light under the top of the targa bar.

My $0.04

Posted by: Cairo94507 Mar 10 2011, 04:42 PM

Yeah sorry to say I am a "no" also. The car has such a classic look that these do not fit. Though your solution is inexpensive and fits well where you installed them, it just does not look appropriate on the car. But that is just me.

For visibility I would just run with the fog lights turned into DRL's. I understand that would mean you have to buy lights and grills, but that is the best solution IMHO. That is what I plan to do to mine because I do tend to think these little cars are hard to see. Anything we can do to make then more visible is smart. However my number one rule is it has to fit the classic look of the car.

Now when it comes to a 3rd brake light I really want to incorporate one into the underside of the roll bar so it is high and visible. I am guessing it is likely going to be inside of the car at the top of the window unless I can find a really clean way to mount it under the top of the roll bar close to the glass. Not so sure I need to be very concerned about reflection from the light when illuminated as the car will probably not see a lot of night driving. Any good ideas?

Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 10 2011, 04:46 PM

Lots of threads... one notable (I'm just too old to remember by who). Might have been "Engman" I believe he actually sold Vette lights for a while. The install was very clean. I'll dig.

Here's a few:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=Search&CODE=show&searchid=e5ade9e693c7c7b37b47b26f3011a241&search_in=posts&result_type=topics&highlite=%2B%2Bbrake+%2Blight

...and here:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?act=ST&f=4&t=9646

I personally don't think it does much good on the engine lid. Higher is better.

There was even a really cool one where someone incorporated LED's into the upper trim piece on the targa bar. VERY slick install. (someone else go find that one... my work is done here)

Posted by: ppetion Mar 10 2011, 05:04 PM

the 70 did not come with a center console?

Posted by: mikea100 Mar 10 2011, 05:05 PM

I think that it looks awesome and very modern. Most German cars have some kind of LEDs. Audi started the trend, I like Benz square style.


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Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 10 2011, 05:07 PM

Not what most of us think as a center console. "Some" came with a small parcel box in front of the shifter. I know my -6 had one.

Posted by: Cairo94507 Mar 10 2011, 05:10 PM

Thanks Eric. Well since I am just day-dreaming here, I would consider converting the tail, brake and turn signal lights to LED's and adding an LED 3rd brake light up high under the roll bar. I would just have to see what our stock lights look like with LED's in the buckets. Again, if it looks cheap or "ricey" it would be out. It has to look great.

Posted by: Eric_Shea Mar 10 2011, 05:15 PM

If you get the proper LED bulbs they are great. Most guys don't go that route because they're expensive. Multi-array bulbs can be over $20.00 each. Also, remember Red Bulbs for Red lenses etc.



Also remember, no LED's for your alternator light... it can be expensive (or so I've heard)

Posted by: DanT Mar 10 2011, 06:00 PM

Or here
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=110057&hl=3rd+brake+light

Like this


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Posted by: ConeDodger Mar 10 2011, 06:15 PM

My own experience has been that teeners hit random boulders in the road so no lighting system will help...

Posted by: kg6dxn Mar 10 2011, 09:41 PM

I was there... Barely dodged it myself... Sad day...

Posted by: tomh Mar 10 2011, 11:37 PM

stop going to Pep Boys!

Posted by: tradisrad Mar 11 2011, 12:01 PM

the 70 did not come with a center console?



Some came with a deposit box, like Eric said. What 7T and I put in is the later model center console. I needed a place for my volt, oil and oil temp gauges. I think it's a "tasteful" upgrade. I guess I could have put the gauges in the ash tray area or in pillar pods; I did not like either of those ideas. The '70 4cyl also did not come with Fuchs.

Perhaps the 3rd brake light would be better higher up. I thought of trimming the vette light to make it fit upside-down under the roll bar, but I put it on the engine lid as it was easier and seemed good enough. Since I've installed it I would like to think people are not getting so close to the car at stops. It is bright and better than nothing.

Posted by: 7TPorsh Mar 11 2011, 01:15 PM

To keep classic how about a Hella red fog light used as a brake light mount not in the center but right behind the driver on the side of the engine lid.

Right in the line of sight of the driver behind. I like the hella red fog light for this.