DIY: C-Bar taillight retrofit

Haagster89 · Jun 6, 2016

SitKneelBend said:
Contact jjretroshop. He can hook you up.

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I'm guessing it's just some adapters just like the headlights. I went from quads to the OEM projectos

SitKneelBend · Jun 6, 2016

Rzrman328 said:
Couple things...

Where/how would you power the switchbacks?

If you tap into the turn circuit you might still need resistors.

This is the debacle I came across....the tubes couldn't be seen very well with the tail bulbs constantly on.....so I disabled that with a lil modification to the bulb itself (which I don't suggest anyone do). Plus, I personally think it looks better with just the tubes on as running lights.

But yes, it would've been cool if the tubes worked as turns themselves.

So, I'm thinking with the original bulb still in place, the proper resistance will be in place so no need for resistors.

I think the tail is a 3 wire so I think a switchback could be wired up to flash when the turn signal is on with one color (probably white) and run with the other color (Amber because it should be dimmer through the red lens).

I could be wrong though. I actually bought 2 sets of the same lights you have in my haste, but I may end up not using them in favor of one set of switchbacks.

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SitKneelBend · Jun 6, 2016

Haagster89 said:
I'm guessing it's just some adapters just like the headlights. I went from quads to the OEM projectos

Maybe, a lot is dependent on model year. He can tell you and sell you.

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Rzrman328 · Jun 6, 2016

SitKneelBend said:
So, I'm thinking with the original bulb still in place, the proper resistance will be in place so no need for resistors.

I think the tail is a 3 wire so I think a switchback could be wired up to flash when the turn signal is on with one color (probably white) and run with the other color (Amber because it should be dimmer through the red lens).

I could be wrong though. I actually bought 2 sets of the same lights you have in my haste, but I may end up not using them in favor of one set of switchbacks.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

It sounds good in theory lol idk man. I guess you can try it....uncharted territory!

Im thinking it being LED and tied into the tail turn(the outside 3rd wire)it's still gonna throw a code. Again, idk.

I would definetly try the switchbacks and not the regular tubes if you are gonna go through with it.

SitKneelBend · Jun 7, 2016

Rzrman328 said:
It sounds good in theory lol idk man. I guess you can try it....uncharted territory!

Im thinking it being LED and tied into the tail turn(the outside 3rd wire)it's still gonna throw a code. Again, idk.

I would definetly try the switchbacks and not the regular tubes if you are gonna go through with it.

I think I'm going to go for it. I had a question for you though. Do you think 45cm was the ideal length for your configuration? I'm up in the air on ordering a 45cm (and routing exactly as you did) or 60cm (roughly 6 inches longer) and trying to force it into the corners more. Any thoughts would be appreciated....

Rzrman328 · Jun 7, 2016

SitKneelBend said:
I think I'm going to go for it. I had a question for you though. Do you think 45cm was the ideal length for your configuration? I'm up in the air on ordering a 45cm (and routing exactly as you did) or 60cm (roughly 6 inches longer) and trying to force it into the corners more. Any thoughts would be appreciated....

Honestly thinking about it now....the 30 probably woulda worked better. The lesser length woulda brought the side bend portion of the "C" in a little more. IMO

With that being said....there's no way you'll be able to close the lens and housing back together with the 60. You'll be cutting the tube somewhere. The 45 was a snug fit...almost perfect.

SitKneelBend · Jun 7, 2016

I see what you're saying...the tube would have possibly fit more inside/around the reflector bowl at 30m. Hmmm...

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Rzrman328 · Jun 7, 2016

Ya that's what I'm thinkin.

SitKneelBend · Jun 7, 2016

Rzrman328 said:
Ya that's what I'm thinkin.

Done...Thanks!

http://www.amazon.com/AGPtEK®-Switc...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

BlownGP · Jun 8, 2016

SitKneelBend said:
So, I'm thinking with the original bulb still in place, the proper resistance will be in place so no need for resistors.

I think the tail is a 3 wire so I think a switchback could be wired up to flash when the turn signal is on with one color (probably white) and run with the other color (Amber because it should be dimmer through the red lens).

I could be wrong though. I actually bought 2 sets of the same lights you have in my haste, but I may end up not using them in favor of one set of switchbacks.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

It shouldn't trip any codes for hyperflash with the stock bulb still in place.

But you are going to have the yellow switch back shine through the red lens? Wonder how that would look? lol

SitKneelBend · Jun 8, 2016

BlownGP said:
It shouldn't trip any codes for hyperflash with the stock bulb still in place.

But you are going to have the yellow switch back shine through the red lens? Wonder how that would look? lol

Amber...and I'm thinking it will look dimmer and red like the incandescent. The white I'll use for turn because it should be brighter.

Of course I could be completely wrong and it won't work as expected...one thing I'm wondering about is what happens when you step on the brake? The incandescent gets brighter, what will a switchback do?

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weeseven · Jun 8, 2016

Awesome job great write up

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Rzrman328 · Jun 8, 2016

SitKneelBend said:
....one thing I'm wondering about is what happens when you step on the brake? The incandescent gets brighter, what will a switchback do?

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The incandescent should brighten like normal...the switchback SHOULDNT do anything. Mine don't.

BUT...

Yours are switchbacks and have two sets of LEDS running through them.....twill be interesting.

Are the brake and turn running through the same circuit?

Don't burn your truck down :happy107:

SitKneelBend · Jun 10, 2016

So, I have mine mocked up with 30 inch amber/white switch backs. I'm using the switch back to see if I can get the vehicle to treat it like a normal incandescent break light bulb. The switchbacks come with a chip on a harness that will cut power to the white running light to amber turn signal on. I'm experimenting by deleting the chip so both can be powered at the same time from the factory harness and reversed (amber for running and white for brake/turn). Here's what it looks like behind the lens...

Hypothetical Running light (Amber)

Hypothetical Brake/turn light (white)

EDIT: By the way, Scotch tape works great for the mock up! I stand corrected... EDIT to edit: Don't use scotch tape! It removes the chrome!

EDIT 2: Instead of deleting the chip that turn one off and the other on, I'm just going to change the wires on the chip to give me the desired effect. This "should" work...

Rzrman328 · Jun 10, 2016

Did it work?

All hypothetical functions?

SitKneelBend · Jun 10, 2016

It appears to have. I just switched the pins on the LED side to give me the lighting option I wanted. I won't be connecting it to my truck until Saturday or Sunday. 30cm Size was almost a perfect fit by the way. Thanks again!

I'll update once it's installed unless I have issues. Then I'll post the issues and pick some brains, but I think this setup will work, with no additional resistors and without throwing errors.

I do have one question you might know the answer to. Do you know which wire is which in the tail light harness? Of the 3, I'm only sure of ground and since I'll be using taps to get power I'd like to get it right the first time.

Rzrman328 · Jun 10, 2016

SitKneelBend said:
30cm Size was almost a perfect fit by the way. Thanks again!

I do have one question you might know the answer to. Do you know which wire is which in the tail light harness? Of the 3, I'm only sure of ground and since I'll be using taps to get power I'd like to get it right the first time.

Sweet...figured the 30 would fit the best.

I don't have a pic of the harness but the middle wire is the taillight and the outside wire(non-ground)is the turn.

SitKneelBend · Jun 11, 2016

I used fishing wire to let the light through. We'll find out if it was a bad idea! I wrapped it around at each point several times so I don't think it's going anywhere. I also tied them together in the back for extra tension. The light transmits very well through the wire.

Edit: Notice the black mark on the right? Scotch tape took the chrome off! Use something else...

Rzrman328 · Jun 11, 2016

Lookin good!

Crazy it took the chrome off.

BlownGP · Jun 12, 2016

Looks good, I just think the amber looks funny behind the lens.

DIY: C-Bar taillight retrofit

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