Sometimes modifications come with unintended consequences, or, at the very least, cause more work to be done for a correctly functioning car.
Along with the LED taillight center section mod, we decided to tint the reverse lights a little darker, to draw less attention to them. The look was right.
Well, as all of us know, the reverse lights aren't all that bright to start with, so it was basically like having no lighting help back there at all after the tinting. And DSMs don't have the best rear visibility to start with, especially the Spyders.
Just install brighter bulbs, right? Turns out that some LED bulbs have an elongated shape that makes them not fit into a standard housing, preventing the lens from being reattached.
We found Diode Dynamics #1156XP80 offered the brightest, whitest light, and fit comfortably into the backup light housing.
Not that many members need help replacing the backup bulbs, we did take photos of the process to show how quick and easy these fit.
Before Picture:
Remove the lens screw. It doesn't have to come all the way out to free the housing.
Pull to remove the housing and twist (counterclockwise) the socket assembly to expos the bulb.
Old bulb:
New bulb. Virtually the same size.
Reinstall the backup light housing and screw the lens cover on snuggly, and you are finished.
Put on your sunglasses and test!
Final result. We can actually SEE the illumination of things behind now while backing up.
Along with the LED taillight center section mod, we decided to tint the reverse lights a little darker, to draw less attention to them. The look was right.
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Well, as all of us know, the reverse lights aren't all that bright to start with, so it was basically like having no lighting help back there at all after the tinting. And DSMs don't have the best rear visibility to start with, especially the Spyders.
Just install brighter bulbs, right? Turns out that some LED bulbs have an elongated shape that makes them not fit into a standard housing, preventing the lens from being reattached.
We found Diode Dynamics #1156XP80 offered the brightest, whitest light, and fit comfortably into the backup light housing.
Not that many members need help replacing the backup bulbs, we did take photos of the process to show how quick and easy these fit.
Before Picture:
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
Remove the lens screw. It doesn't have to come all the way out to free the housing.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
Pull to remove the housing and twist (counterclockwise) the socket assembly to expos the bulb.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
Old bulb:
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
New bulb. Virtually the same size.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.
Reinstall the backup light housing and screw the lens cover on snuggly, and you are finished.
Put on your sunglasses and test!
Final result. We can actually SEE the illumination of things behind now while backing up.
You must be logged in to view this image or video.