HOW TO: Jap-spec your BG Tail lights

[Nate]

Well here is another cheap mod for all you BG owners. If you seen an import astina they have twin tail lights. on the australian models the inside pair of of lights isnt used. your tail lights are held in by 6 bolts but first you will need to remove the boot lining and the center platic panel between your tail lights. this is held in with about 6 screws. your lights should look like this
http://www.astinagt.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10392/New-1.JPG

note the unused light

http://www.astinagt.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10392/New-4.JPG

I used a spade bit to drill out the hole ... be careful to remove all of the platic shavings that fall inside the light.

http://www.astinagt.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10392/New-2.JPG

and hey persto ... a hole

http://www.astinagt.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10392/New-3.JPG

Using a pair of light globe sockets from supercheap i spliced them into the loom and when secured into the holes .... dum dum da!!

http://www.astinagt.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10392/New-5.JPG

Jap style tail lights!!!

[SehnKhan]

Sweet, did you take any photo's before installing the new globes . . . I forget how they look as a single light setup. Nice work :)

[Nate]

yeah none tuned out ... i will take some tomorrow!

[platypus]

hey what a cute dog!!!


shouldn't that be hooked up with rear fog lights?

[lamby1986]

That looks smick. How much did the globe socket and what not come to in total?

[Nate]

$9 for a pair of globe socketts and the globes i had already but they are about $3 a pair

[ABC]

Fantastic!

look very shmick there Nate! :D

[andrewgrazier]

i might check that out today
but adding more lights is the least of my worries at the moment
i need one of them damm right hand side windscreen to the door plastc mouildings
so there goes like $185

and my sunroof is gettin rust in it ..... again

[twilightprotege]

just dont forget to get the double filement bulbs like the original brake lights in the near future....

[Nate]

just dont forget to get the double filement bulbs like the original brake lights in the near future....

super**** dont stock em ... i am going on the hunt on pay day!!

[Rupewrecht]

nice! i like it :D

[ROB-80E]

Yeah I like too, I think I'll be doing that!

What size spade bit did you use?? And also, how did you get the globe socket to stay in place?

[Nate]

it was a 32mm bit and the golbes are just taped in at the moment ... i will make up some wire brackets when the new sockets that let me put in a brake / tail light bulb. at the moment i only have tail lights on the inside!

[ROB-80E]

I just remembered I'd have to pull my whole stereo out to get to em. Won't be doing it for ages for me!!! :(

[Nate]

ahh that sucks dude ... can get to them by just taking out the very back panel ... ie not the to side ones if you have a long enough spanner!!

[ROB-80E]

http://www.astinagt.com/readers/~ROB-80E/DCP_4164.jpg

I think that pic says it all.

[SehnKhan]

Yep, that pretty much sums it up :shock:

[Nate]

:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

[ROB-80E]

Yeah, it don't come out easy. :( :(

[SehnKhan]

*looks at car, looks at hammer. Looks at car, looks at hammer* I could do it pretty easy, but it won't be pretty :twisted:

[platypus]

hey why don't you keep it as it is, and change the wiring.... ie make it a repeater brake light???

that means you will have extra lights on braking??

just a thought

[geetee]

looks good nate.
just a pity i got fog lights in there :( :mrgreen:

[kemicalx]

man that is a friggen sweet mod!

But like ROB-80E i'd have to remove my false floor and sub to get to em easily :( and that would take wayyy too much effort. nice work!

[augy]

I did this mod a while back too, instead of useing new sockets though, i pulled some from the tail lights of a kb laser. these also have tabs on them which just happen to be a pefect fit to screw them into the same point as the wiring connecter!

after doing this mod i was cruising down the highway and noticed another astina with the same setup, i guess i just figured out who it was :wink:

[lamby1986]

As soon as i can spare the $20, in they go for me, but it could be a while seeing as i just had to buy uni textbooks (like i need to know all that stuff anyway :roll: )

[ROB-80E]

Hey Nate, you can help me do this when I come up for Jambo....the stereo will be coming out while I'm up there! :P hahaha

[Nate]

yeah done ... need to get those pics back up too :D

[mitch]

i did my remaining AUS-spec tail light yesterday. (now they match!!!!!) it came out really well. used the globe, wiring and globe mount for the tail/brake light from a 121 metro (demio) found at the local wreckers. took about 2 hours at the most, and i filed out openings around the hole so the globe mount goes in and twists like a factory one. (looks almost stock)

$10 for the parts, 2hours labour for me, like i said, thats at the most. certainly worth doing this mod.

saved me a few $$$$ over buying a new jap spec left taillight assembly.

Mitch

[Nate]

pics updated

[SehnKhan]

Reminds me that I better finish my Jap Spec look taillights on the BG sedan. Wasn't quite right last time it was done.

[dru]

Yeah i just done this mod today aswell! The bad thing that happened was i bought the globe sockets from supercheap and got the wrong ones....instead of coming on of a nice, they just come on when you brake, but thats cool...still looks awesome.

Cost me $21 since i had to buy a drill bit and some extra wiring!

[mazdamanik]

just go to a wrecker and get the sockets from a KH laser or bg astina....they both the same....i both sides entire wireing and all 3 sockets with working globe in them (brake/tail, blinker, reverse) for $10

then u can hhave both =D

[womble]

Hey Guys,

I am new here and saw what you had done and thought it was a good idea. Went to the wreckers and bought two globe holders from a mazda that are brake and tail light ones for $2. Am going to try and fit them today. WOMBLE

[MeFo]

Good luck with that Womble. Let us know how you go.

And welcome to the forums :)

[womble]

Just finished, used a 25mm holesaw and then a hacksaw blade to make the slots and they fit like the factory job, looks good. Now to look at other tail lights in SA to see if anyone else has done it.

[mazdamanik]

good job dude.....ho bout some pics :D

[89sp1.8]

hey guys bout to do jap spec light mod...but just wondering where bouts n how do u 'splice' the wire in? need pretty quik reply,its getting dark :P

[89sp1.8]

sall good dw :D

[ROB-80E]

You guys would be happy to know that my grey astina has also had the mod done. I chopped the original globle sockets out of a car last time i was at the wreckers, so I also have parkers and Brake...cost for me was nothing and I used my soldering iron to make the holes. Even made them the same shape as the original so I got the whole twist and pull thing going on to remove them. hehe

[Nate]

well done mate :D

pics?

[ROB-80E]

the battery is dead flat in the car mate....i'll get pics as soon as it's on the road. ;)

[89sp1.8]

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/3637/phot00118mi.th.jpg (http://img508.imageshack.us/my.php?image=phot00118mi.jpg)

[mazdamanik]

wat about the secret light dude:D

[89sp1.8]

http://img518.imageshack.us/img518/418/hey13wr.th.jpg (http://img518.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hey13wr.jpg)

[Nate]

Omg :rolleyes:

[Mad Mat]

man that looks exellent. when did u finish it

[89sp1.8]

finished it couple days ago.

[Mad Mat]

hey man i started the tail lights. all i have to do is the wiring. Have a look. i went and did it properly and did the grooves and everything for the glob sockets.


http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02018.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02019.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02016.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02020.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02011.jpg


http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02009.jpg

[mcwilly]

i spliced my wires in the other day just to make sure it would all work b4 drilling holes etc and found that when i had my blinkers on my number plate lights and tail lights would flash in time wid the blinkers only happened when the extra lights were placed into the circuit, has anyone else noticed this? how did ppl wire theres up mine were just crimped together using connectors.

[Nate]

you have hte wrong wires sunshine!

[mcwilly]

they are connected about 1.5-2cm away from the socket so im pretty sure there the right wires, i think it draws to much power therefore dimming my lights

[Mad Mat]

it should be the bottom three wires on the plug man. i will get a picture 4 u.

[Mad Mat]

here is the finished product. it turn out exellent.


http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02047.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02048.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02046.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02045.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d123/Mad_Mat/car%20rear%20lights/DSC02044.jpg

[Mad Mat]

bye the way i solder those conections

[astinafeva]

I wana do this do i just wire it to normal brake lights or tail lights im confused

[323kid]

im keen to do it too

[mazdamanik]

I wana do this do i just wire it to normal brake lights or tail lights im confused

u can wire the new ones into the existing ones

[astinafeva]

hey off the subject but how do i put a photo in my id thing on the left and in my signature it always sais its too big

[astinafeva]

wooo i did it

[astinafeva]

now i cant get it in the signature somone help

[89sp1.8]

imageshack.com upload pic then copy and paste link..

[Rupewrecht]

Does just splicing the 2nd set of globes into the existing wiring dim the 1st set at all (for any that have made both sets of lights work as tail and brake)

[Nate]

not that i noticed. they are in parallel when you splice them in like that so all it does is drop the overall resistance and increase the current ;)

[bourbon]

haha goodold electrical boys....i saved all my time and money and got ORIGIONAL JAP-SPEC ones :p seems to work geat :D

[mazdamanik]

only thing i notice is when u hit the brakes with the lights on the dash lights dim ever so slightly, not really noticable unless ur looking for it

[Nate]

so when are you getting me some bourbs?

[bourbon]

did you want some? ill have to see if we got good quality ones at work first...weve got somethin like 32 pairs or some other crazy number... hahahaha

[MAztinA 323]

only thing i notice is when u hit the brakes with the lights on the dash lights dim ever so slightly, not really noticable unless ur looking for it

ye i seem to notice that for many power applications in my bg. ive never noticed it in other cars, but only mine...

does it happen to other bg owners??

[Mad Mat]

no just when i turn on the rear brake lights i notice it

[bourbon]

i havnt noticed it yet :s but i dont really pay attentioon to it...plus i dotn have air con anymore so less power drain :D

[89sp1.8]

yeah i notice dash dims with braking also.

[rodhog]

It will drain on your car
Nwo I don't know if that model has what the 626 has which is a rear tail light warning system to tell you when your rear brakes lights out but!

take note your adding current or load where it is not desgined for. The J-spec cars usually I find have this already covered.
If you note when you complie a full J-spec car, we cut the 2nd set to meet ADR rule's Syline a good example a fully complied one will only either have one setof tails and two brakes or one tail and two brakes.

on the mazda's it's removed automaticly in the factory.

In most cases easy fix, as I've seen it done on mazda's toyotas and pulsar alot. Increase your battery size or best a better Alternator , preferbly not the crap mitsubishi unit. Get a good Bosch with lots of low down amps and you will find you will have no problem.

I've have plans for my own with different boot lid and 2nd series lights yet I'm only putting in the 5watt tails but also I've already got the mouting.

oh yeah other way to stop current draw and it's quite good - use LED's for the tails.

[bourbon]

well igot origional jap-spec tail lights and i cant notice any dimming...so i dont no if its cause its wired up properly andso on...

[bourbon]

ok everyone...who ever is interested in these taillights let me know...i can get my hands on quiet a few sets...so just PM me for more info...

[hitokiwi]

i just did this mod $2.50 per socket from the wreckers with globes. Only thing is when you have the lights on and then hit the brake pedal, the lights go out for the second set of brake lights.

I swapped over the 2nd set of bulbs with the bulbs from my original set of brake lights and they started doing the same thing. The filaments are in tact but it wont light up the second filament.

I'm thinking about trying new bulbs. Any idea wheres the best place to get replacement brake light globes?

[zappy65]

your wiring is the wrong way around...get a test light and rewire the sockets...

[bourbon]

was it a brake/parklight socket???

[hitokiwi]

doh! test light... thats what i should have asked for christmas!

I just grabbed the sockets off an existing BG at pick and payless in blacktown. So yeh, if anyone is in search of a rear tail lights for a BG there, make sure you check to see if the brake light sockets are still there! :p

[hitokiwi]

i just figured i'd tap them into the same wires... probably should have checked them first. Oh well, jap spec lights will have to wait till after christmas

[bourbon]

how many wires on the socket??? should have 3 i think... 1 for the brake light, 1 for the park light and one for the grounding wire...

[hitokiwi]

3 wires. I haven't seen the sockets since last thursday but since i pulled them from a bg, they've got the same coloured wires as the other brake light sockets. I did find it weird though, the park light would not illuminate unless both wires were connected as soon as you hit the brake/pulled either wire away, it would not illuminate. I find it strange since the two wires are connected to different wires.

[MAztinA 323]

hey heres some pics of mine i did a long time ago..

http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k250/bountyshot/car%20how%20tos%20jap%20spec/

[hitokiwi]

Yep got em sorted today! they look really nice. I uploaded a pic i took with my phone tonight. I found my problem was the black wire. I mistaken thought it was just a ground wire and during testing i was keeping it held down against the metal. Like i said, they look really nice.

[appie B.]

that is the place where my fog lights are . but i am an european 323f driver

i toke my reflection shield (in between the taillights) and i saw enough space to fit in my old 3rd brake light .
you make a hole grind the zilver coting away and cement your light in .
i made it just behind the 323f sign and it looks nice .
(ps. dont be afraid to gind to much te silver must be totally gone .)

[lovemyBG]

my map lights, headlights, and dash lights all dim when i brake.... (posted in this thread as i have Jap-Spec tail lights)
i also get this whirring type noise when I accelerate that I'm pretty sure is not the engine.. time for a new alternator?

[karamello]

if you have an amplifier installed then it could be because you have run the power cable next to the rcas...try separating them if you do have one

dunno about the dimming though?

[lovemyBG]

well.. i tried to run the power cable and all that for my amp with my bf but we got stuck so we got autobarn to do it.. not sure how they did it but the power cable comes into the cabin through the clutch cable spot (not a prob coz my cars auto)
but that probably explains it. typical dodgy job. my mate works there so i know for a fact they do half-a**ed jobs.

[bourbon]

when jap spec lights get installed they take a little bit of extra power to turn the 2 extra lights on and cuase all the interior lights to dim only a little bit...

[so fresh]

when jap spec lights get installed they take a little bit of extra power to turn the 2 extra lights on and cuase all the interior lights to dim only a little bit...

so is this little mod worth doing?
i got the bits n peices,i just need to do it when im free or
is this just a minor thing that wont stuff up the car?

[S373N]

lol id love a more detailed tutorial cause i dont even know what a loom is and how to hook anything up to it

[bourbon]

wont stuff up the car...

s373n - a loom is a bunch of wiring...

[RibZe]

I had it done over the weekend. Looks absolutely awesome. Makes me think of a skyline when i look at it.

[Astinadroxycuts]

Thats sexy but you lost me in ur instructions

i spliced them into the loom and when secured into the holes

[Astinadroxycuts]

Can i get a more detailed instructions on how to do this?? Thanks

[S373N]

lol +1 still
someone said may have to run a relay..
think i'm able to do this myself then get auto electrician to run the relay?

[Astinadroxycuts]

no 1 cares about us:(

[S373N]

they do, just not on this subject as such

[so fresh]

ok got bored tonight played in the garage saw my globe holders for the tail lights an hour later did me some j-spec's, looks good! :D

[l3mur91]

I do it yesterday. Some pics of mine car:

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/8136/p1030232nj.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/577/p1030232nj.jpg/)

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/8996/p1030233i.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/8/p1030233i.jpg/)

Enjoy :D