Modifying tail light clusters

[evilgidget]

Another idea that will be scorned by purists

I don't know about anyone else, but i'm sick of pulling the lenses off the tail light to change a blown bulb, only to have the lense leak water when it rains, or over-tightening it to stop the leak & breaking either the lense or the housing...

The solution? Why not drill a set of 25mm holes into the back of the housings & fit up a set of the "twistlock" fittings used on most japanese cars, then seal the lense to the body with silicon?
At the very least when you're filling up at the servo & notice that a lamp has blown, you don't have to screw around looking for tools that you know you've left in your shed to change the bulb... Simple open the boot & undo the fitting by hand presto, bulb changed.

Also, it has the advantage of being able to fit the high intensity LED bulbs if you wish, meaning you won't have to change bulbs again.

Bad for originality, i know, but it gives people something (else) to do on a rainy weekend

[116_Veloce]

Bulbs should blow at this rate and water shouldn't get in your tail lights. You just have to replace the gaskets and probably treat the wiring.

Otherwise you are addressing the symptom and not the problem...

[evilgidget]

I just don't like it when you change the brake light bulb, and a week or so later, the reversing bulb goes... Then an indicator the week after that...

Makes it a pain to keep pulling it all apart. It's too easy to just say "stuff it - i don't want to be bothered pulling off the .... and spending 2 hour fixing .... when i could .... and be done with it". And i want to eventually fit up the LED bulbs, which can't be done because of the upright bulb position of the standard holder.

[116_Veloce]

Buy good bulbs, clean everything, treat the gaskets, then change all the bulbs together...

What Alfetta is in question btw?

[evilgidget]

My old '80 GTV, with '82 tail-light clusters...

[elite38868]

I would recommend installing LED's instead of regular bulbs... Might be a little easier? Might also look sharper...

BTW, nice icon