# Kustomizing Kouki Tails - DIY project **URL:** \ **Category:** SON240sx Automotive\ **Created:** [February 1, 2009, 12:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525 "2009-02-01T12:09:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Sempre\_5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sempre_5/32/5701_2.png) [@Sempre\_5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sempre_5)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 12:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/1 "2009-02-01T12:09:36Z")
Alright so I did some looking into with kouki tails for my S13. Yes they look beautiful, but with [clearcorners.com](http://clearcorners.com), and the dual LED ring they install makes them look MINT! Only thing is, who the hell is going to spend over $1000 on these lights?! yeah ridiculous. So I propose, with combined knowledge in the forum, we find a way to save our money and make a DIY thread. I did a bit reading up on how to angel-eye headlights with CCFL kits on [HIDplanet.com](http://HIDplanet.com) _Main questions:_ **-How does one SAFELY open the lenses? -What diameter of CCFL would be needed to fit perfectly? -How to wire to parking light?** Hopefully this thread takes off with lots of input, because it’d be an awesome mod and save hundreds of dollars to the individual. ---
**Author:** ![PureEuroM3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3bc359/32.png) [@PureEuroM3](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/PureEuroM3)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 12:25pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/2 "2009-02-01T12:25:10Z")
You spelled Customizing wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Sempre\_5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sempre_5/32/5701_2.png) [@Sempre\_5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sempre_5)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 12:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/3 "2009-02-01T12:31:31Z")
> [@'03 Hayabusa GSX-1300R](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/03-hayabusa-gsx-1300r/19939/18): > > You spelled Customizing wrong. lol…wow Uhhh yeah…I know It’s a play on words. ---
**Author:** ![DJPyro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/278dde/32.png) [@DJPyro](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DJPyro)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 12:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/4 "2009-02-01T12:48:58Z")
Thank you Tom. …Personally I’d check in the computer world and find some CCFLs there, they make nice round ones for going around computer fans and it’d suit your purposes perfectly. As far as opening the light housing up, put it in the oven at like 200F for a few minutes. There’s tons of tutorials on this online. ---
**Author:** ![Sempre\_5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sempre_5/32/5701_2.png) [@Sempre\_5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sempre_5)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 12:53pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/5 "2009-02-01T12:53:55Z")
> [@FS:1986 Honda 200s](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fs-1986-honda-200s/20125/2): > > Thank you Tom. > > …Personally I’d check in the computer world and find some CCFLs there, they make nice round ones for going around computer fans and it’d suit your purposes perfectly. > > As far as opening the light housing up, put it in the oven at like 200F for a few minutes. There’s tons of tutorials on this online. Yeah that’s where I’m looking right now…I just dunno the length to get and the wiring to the parking light. I’ve went with a buddy to get his headlights on his Infiniti upgraded, and the seller heated the headlight in his oven. Heh, at first my bud and I looked at eachother like “this guy’s on crack” but it works pretty perfectly. Still I’d be $hitting bricks with a new set of kouki tails to try this on in an oven; I’d just want it to all go down perfectly and safely. I’ll be posting again with more news on what I found with CCFLs unless somebody inputs first 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Sempre\_5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sempre_5/32/5701_2.png) [@Sempre\_5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sempre_5)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 1:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/6 "2009-02-01T13:08:06Z")
Also one more question: Will a 12V inverter ballast be needed for CCFL? So far on ebay, the CCFLs are mainly in a bar (mostly laptop replacement parts). Some of the circular ones come in the fans. But what’s important is finding a CCFL ring that is as complete as a lit circle as possible. ![http://secure.llamma.com/catalog/images/120%20MM%20White%20CCFL.jpg](http://secure.llamma.com/catalog/images/120%20MM%20White%20CCFL.jpg) Here’s a good CCFL vending website: [http://www.ccfl-inverter.com/html\_en/ccfl\_lamp.htm](http://www.ccfl-inverter.com/html_en/ccfl_lamp.htm) ---
**Author:** ![rmallari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/898d66/32.png) [@rmallari](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/rmallari)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 1:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/7 "2009-02-01T13:30:53Z")
I was also thinkin of doing this myself too, but i need to get a set first, preferably used. How about copying what clear corners did and use LED Rings instead of CCFL? the site says: The two rings consist of over **300 wide-angle high-intensity LEDs** which also vary in brightness. In parking lamp mode, the rings have a crisp glow that illuminates both chambers. When the brakes are applied, the rings increase in brightness in conjunction with the main center clusters. Each tail light consists of approximately 400 very bright and highly visible LEDs. This upgrade is often referred to as the holy grail of tail lights for the S13-chassis and is said to resemble a jet engine’s afterburner. ---
**Author:** ![RED\_LINE](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/red_line/32/5656_2.png) [@RED\_LINE](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RED_LINE)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 1:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/8 "2009-02-01T13:48:14Z")
^ I would love to see these lights in action…$1000 worth. ---
**Author:** ![spd-dmn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spd-dmn/32/5513_2.png) [@spd-dmn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/spd-dmn)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 2:12pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/9 "2009-02-01T14:12:54Z")
uhh you def dont wanna be using CCFLs for tail lights clearcorners uses LEDs… lots of em. so should you. ---
**Author:** ![Sempre\_5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sempre_5/32/5701_2.png) [@Sempre\_5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sempre_5)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 3:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/10 "2009-02-01T15:01:37Z")
> [@Turbo vs. Procharger, Lt1](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/turbo-vs-procharger-lt1/20029/59): > > I was also thinkin of doing this myself too, but i need to get a set first, preferably used. > > How about copying what clear corners did and use LED Rings instead of CCFL? > the site says: > The two rings consist of over **300 wide-angle high-intensity LEDs** which also vary in brightness. In parking lamp mode, the rings have a crisp glow that illuminates both chambers. When the brakes are applied, the rings increase in brightness in conjunction with the main center clusters. Each tail light consists of approximately 400 very bright and highly visible LEDs. This upgrade is often referred to as the holy grail of tail lights for the S13-chassis and is said to resemble a jet engine’s afterburner. I was thinking of either that or a close-to solution. Now thinking about the density of all those LEDs and the luminosity from that many would beat the CCFL hands down. Also why you’d use a CCFL in CLEAR lens housing than coloured…LED light would for sure get through it clearly (this is why ppl use LED bulbs in their smoked out lenses if they have em) That’s one hell of an array of LEDs though…man I’d kill to find out or even see a pic of what’s used exactly or how they did it. More research… ---
**Author:** ![Sempre\_5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sempre_5/32/5701_2.png) [@Sempre\_5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sempre_5)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 1:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/11 "2009-02-02T13:29:00Z")
Alright so I found a couple of DIYers that were “make your own camera flash” that’s pretty much an LED array in the shape of a ring that goes around the lens. Here’s one page: [http://fuzzcraft.fuzzphoto.eu/ringlight2.html](http://fuzzcraft.fuzzphoto.eu/ringlight2.html) I can’t find too much in the way of an LED array that’s ready for sale (that doesn’t require an inverter or any additional circuitry/power adjustment). If anybody has anymore info for materials or anything with a LED array, please feel free to share. I’m still concerned about the CCFL holding a more uniform luminosity than an array of LEDs. PS: a good supplier: [http://www.ledz.com](http://www.ledz.com) ---
**Author:** ![Hacknik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba9def/32.png) [@Hacknik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hacknik)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 1:29pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/12 "2009-02-02T13:29:56Z")
There was a DIY on HIDplanet. IIRC, what they did was use a circuit board, and set up all the leds so that they would fit in a perfect sized circle. Basically, they set them up so that there was a gap between ever other bulb. And where there were gaps, they would add in another set of led’s that were brighter, and they were connected to the brake pedal (brake lights). Basically, like this. (B) - brake light (D) - day times ``` (B) (D) (D) (B) (B) (D) (D) (B) (B) (D) (D) (B) ``` Hopefully you understand what I’m trying to say. ---
**Author:** ![Hacknik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba9def/32.png) [@Hacknik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hacknik)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 1:31pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/13 "2009-02-02T13:31:18Z")
EDIT\*\* Its not letting me make a circle with my (D)'s and (B)'s … hold on, ill make a pic ---
**Author:** ![Sempre\_5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sempre_5/32/5701_2.png) [@Sempre\_5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sempre_5)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 1:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/14 "2009-02-02T13:32:05Z")
Awesome and the URL. Thanks bud 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Hacknik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba9def/32.png) [@Hacknik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hacknik)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 1:58pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/15 "2009-02-02T13:58:00Z")
![http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q274/hacknik/kouki.jpg](http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q274/hacknik/kouki.jpg) Alright, BLUE dots are Daytimes, and RED dots are BRAKES. I tried my best to be as accurate as possible. All you need to do, would be finding something that can help keep the leds in a circle so that you can sodder them to the board. Also, finding a bright enough LED which can withstand certain temps/ does not overheat as much. Lastly making sure that you use a glue gun to cover the wires/resistors and LED pins incase of water …etc. Something that would cause a shortage. Good luck with the project, and keep us informed, I plan on doing this in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Hacknik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba9def/32.png) [@Hacknik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hacknik)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2009, 2:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/16 "2009-02-02T14:04:41Z")
I’ll look for the link, also, edited the photo in attempt to making it bigger? lol ![http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q274/hacknik/kouki_edited.jpg](http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q274/hacknik/kouki_edited.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Sempre\_5](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/sempre_5/32/5701_2.png) [@Sempre\_5](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sempre_5)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 10:57am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/17 "2009-02-09T10:57:45Z")
Looks like the right idea. I could illustrate a better array, but assembling it would be where I fall short 😛 FYI: I contacted Clearcorners, and they quoted me $1500 for installing their array into a preowned (and delivered) set of kouki tails. …Fu\ **Author:** ![Hacknik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ba9def/32.png) [@Hacknik](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Hacknik)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 12:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/18 "2009-02-09T12:48:00Z") lol, that is a ridiculous price. But think about it, you get what you pay for no? Some people dish out 700+ for a poly urathane front lip that will never crack. Not because they are balling, but just because they know what they are paying for. lol, I dunno, i think I might pay $1500 in the future for those tails 😛 ---
**Author:** ![DirrtyDevo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/dirrtydevo/32/5547_2.png) [@DirrtyDevo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DirrtyDevo)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/19 "2009-02-09T14:26:48Z")
Is this what your going for? Or you want ridiculous amounts of LEDs? [![http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/2065/n5076916549930734033lv8.jpg](http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/2065/n5076916549930734033lv8.jpg)](http://imageshack.us) ---
**Author:** ![DudebuD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@DudebuD](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/DudebuD)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2009, 4:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525/20 "2009-02-09T16:35:07Z")
why not just buy these… [http://cgi.ebay.ca/Nissan-240SX-S13-Silvia-Tail-Lights-89-90-91-92-93-94\_W0QQitemZ120367289872QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors\_Car\_Truck\_Parts\_Accessories?hash=item120367289872&\_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&\_trkparms=72%3A1215|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318](http://cgi.ebay.ca/Nissan-240SX-S13-Silvia-Tail-Lights-89-90-91-92-93-94_W0QQitemZ120367289872QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item120367289872&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318) then tint them [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/kustomizing-kouki-tails-diy-project/121525.md?page=2)