...�. . . : : | | Bumper Sidemarker LED Mod | | : : . . . �...
So I love LEDs... I think they are the best upgrade to automotive exterior lighting since the introduction of HID headlight systems. LED's require less power, burn longer, and their light can be seen further away than most comparable incandescent bulbs.
All kinds of LED lighting upgrades are available in the aftermarket for all kinds of vehicles, but I've never been able to find quite what I'm looking for. Most manufacturers LED upgrades have futuristic designs (some "ricey"), which doesn't flow with the OEM-Plus look I'm going for with my VW.
I wanted to replace the bumper lights in my front strips with smoked LED versions. After searching all websites and forums, I couldn't find what I was looking for. So when you can't find what you're looking for, you make it! I scored some amber LED sidemarker lights on eBay designed for motorcycle use as turn signals. They were perfect for what I needed.
The Victim:
Using the butter knife blade on my leatherman, i carefully preyed the reflector from the rub strip.
Here are the tools and materials I'll use for this project:
(from l to r)
1. Cordless dremmel with cutting disc and various grinding and sanding discs
2. Ratcheting screwdriver
3. Sharpies
4. Leatherman (just needed the dull flat edge for prying)
5. LED bar
6. Bumper reflector housing
The first step was to trace the basic shape of the LED bar onto the back of the reflector. This will have to be done in stages as the back is not flush, it's multiple levels. First I chopped off the 194 bulb mount and lined up with the rubber LED bar backing to get the shape and position of the LEDs right.
Then I started cutting off bits in order to get the LEDs to sit flush in the reflector housing.
Trace the shape again to ensure placement accuracy.
Next we need to wire up the LEDs. I cut the factory bulb holder off, but:
1) Left enough slack on the wires I could reinstall it
2) Cut the wires at different lengths to ensure my two connections will never touch each other should the wire covering (electric tape) ever come loose)
I spliced the wires, soldered the connections, then returned the wire to the factory split look, including the split look clip used by VW
Next, I mounted the LED bar
Then replaced the reflector and I'm done!
Now, since this is the first time I've done this, it's not perfect. I'm going to pull the install back out and seal the LED bar to the reflector using clear silicone, then I'll double stick the LED bar to the bumper using the reflector pressure to hold it all together (Like the factory install).
I'll provide pics and updates when I get the work completed this week.
