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Discussion summary
YOUR RESEARCHUpdated OEM 996 taillights!
Leading reported evidence
Run into this
Performed · outcome unconfirmed
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0
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1
Discussions
Read evidence and context
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Performed · outcome unconfirmed
I ran into this when I was considering an LED third brake light upgrade.
Leading evidence: 'Run into this' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace lighting inside' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
Are you using the stock lights and just replacing the lighting inside?
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Suggestion
I'd already replaced the rear bulbs with LEDs prior, so I was interested in seeing how it looked if I kept all the bulbs in.
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Suggestion
One of my taillights has a small cracking in the lens that I've thought about replacing for several years.
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Suggestion · Original poster
My set is done, I just haven't taken the car out to take proper pictures & video yet as I'm waiting on some supplies to do my first oil change since I bought the car in April.
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Suggestion · Original poster
My set is done, I just haven't taken the car out to take proper pictures & video yet as I'm waiting on some supplies to do my first oil change since I bought the car in April.
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55 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
Rennlist: 1 discussions
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I modify taillights for folks on my previous platform (GM Ecotec) and since I just bought my first Porsche in April I thought why not play around with its taillights bit.
I really don't like the available after market tails as they all look a bit too ricey for my taste. What I'm trying to achieve is the stock look with the tails off, combined with some late model LED features when lit.
I haven't got everything figured out yet, but here's a litte sneak peak. Let me know what you guys think!
Vimeo
Vimeo
Yes, I've only mocked up this one so far. It's not fit to drive around with, lol.
I do plan on properly building a set next so I can do just what you're asking for!
Thanks. I'll do you one better. Once I figure out how to best do this, I plan to offer to do this modification for people. I may even put a DIY kit together with instructions for those that like to tinker themselves
This looks awesome, very interested in what you have to offer!
My old C4S had aftermarket tails that didn�t look quite right. New car has OEM setup that I�d love to refresh.
Think you could extend the LED strip across the length of the complete C4S reflector?
I've been trying to get my hands on a C4S reflector!
Yes it would definitely be an option to make the red halo strip continue across the entire back of a C4S.
If only I knew someone close to me that had one and was willing to be my guinea pig!
So am I.
I'm not entirely sure I'd want my C4S to be the guinea pig on this but I'm certainly willing to consider it.
PM me if you're anywhere near Golden.
Sorry for the radio silence. It has taken me longer than anticipated to get the lights finished. My set is done, I just haven't taken the car out to take proper pictures & video yet as I'm waiting on some supplies to do my first oil change since I bought the car in April. I'll take her out soon and will post the results here!
+ 1 following. I'll be ready to do this mod shortly. I've noticed a few age-related stress cracks in my real taillights. Does the LED 'bulb' work with a stock 996 or is some type of modifier required? I ran into this when I was considering an LED third brake light upgrade.
Subscribed.
Are you using the stock lights and just replacing the lighting inside? One of my taillights has a small cracking in the lens that I've thought about replacing for several years.
OP - Are you engineering this to sell it, or would you be willing to document the mod so others could follow? I'd love to see more detailed pics of how it was done.
Finally got a chance to shoot some pics and videos today. See below. It's really hard to capture these led strips because the camera adjusts to their brightness.
In the meantime I've also been working on coming up with options for offering these taillights to those of you that are interested.
Since I'm a visual person myself, I decided to explain what I came up with in a video rather than typing it up here. Check out the video link at the end of this post.
PS: I hope I don't get in trouble with the admins for posting this, I asked for info on becoming a vendor on this forum but haven't received a response yet.
Brake lights at night are very bright!
I tried taking pictures under an underpass for better lighting. The red lens of the taillight doesn't light up as much as these pictures show, but this was the best I could capture.
Vimeo
Vimeo
Pretty neat, but honestly, this sort of thing almost always makes the car look a bit cheap.
Embrace the halogens and the period-ness of the car or go full bonkers like this R34 IMO
edit: addendum, I think for aftermarket LED units, you did a great job. The chasing turn signal would look a bit more "elegant" to me just as blinker. Nice work!
I think it looks great! It keeps the original look of the light housing, while adding a classy, upscale, modern effect that suits a 911. It�s definitely not for the purists, but what lighting modification is?
As-is, it�s unfortunately a little more costly than I�d be in for. That said, I very much respect the use of quality components. Cheap hardware looks cheap, and fails easily. I commend using the good stuff.
As an FYI for everyone: The blinker/reverse switchback strip can also be had as a solid one, without the "chasing" behavior! It can even be a solid red strip!
Pretty cool. The only thing I don�t like is the single LED line for turn signaling. It seems insufficient and makes me wonder if it would even be legal.
Would be very interested in a set of these as well as any headlight options you would plan to offer as I too have had a similar idea for these cars. The stock lights are "good" but they could use a little facelift.
Update: I signed up as a sponsor of this forum so as to stay out of trouble with the admins for advertising on here
I didn't want to risk getting banned from this wonderful site plus I like the idea of helping financially to run this site with a portion of my proceeds.
This is my new "vendor" account that I will be using for posting about the taillights from now on.
Please remember that this is a hobby of mine so if you are considering ordering from me it will take me a little time to purchase and retrofit your taillights.
I also ordered a 997 taillight today to experiment with after I received several inquiries on facebook regarding retrofits for 997 tails!
Thank you for all the positive responses!!
Hey Mike, I noticed that there is kind of a void when it comes to retrofit options for the 996 (OEM) headlights. Historically, I�ve stayed clear of the headlight market on my previous platform (GM ecotec) because there were so many people making retrofits and none that did taillights/side markers/ 3rd brake lights.
So it�s definitely on my radar. I just need to educate myself a bit more as I don�t consider myself enough of an authority yet on HIDs, LED headlight bulbs and projectors
But thanks for the suggestion!
Hey there is a European company that’s selling stock upgrades but I’m all thumbs and a I have a spare set of litronics I will sell you cheap if you redo my taillights and a second set of headlights lmk pm your # and we can talk
Mike
I bought a pair of these lights, opted to keep my originals and buy one of the sets built with used taillights, the condition of which were fine and pretty much the same as my originals. Installation was very straightforward, you swap the harness and any bulbs from the old unit to the new one, then for the sequential blinker you need to attach a provided wire to the 12v jump post in the engine bay and route it through some existing holes.
I'd already replaced the rear bulbs with LEDs prior, so I was interested in seeing how it looked if I kept all the bulbs in. What the photos are trying to show is that for all modes of operation the LED strips were as bright or brighter than the original bulbs, then for the brakes especially they throw more light by the nature of it being more spread out than the OEM design. The first two photos are the DRLs and brake lights taken just a few seconds apart at dusk, the exposure is different because of how much more light is coming out at full brightness. The sequentials stay in sync with the main blinker bulb, which is something I was glad to see.
One issue I found during testing is the hazard lights don't trigger the sequentials when the engine is running and the DRLs are on, its very bizarre as the OEM bulbs still flash as expected, and the hazards
do
engage the sequentials if the DRLs are on but the engine is off. Everything else worked as expected, and I'm keeping the bulbs in so there's not a safety issue, but I did let Adrian know and hopefully a fix can be found.
Overall I'm happy with them, the visual presence of the brake lights is certainly a major step up, and I do prefer the aesthetics of the LED strips compared to the christmas-tree style units, all though one doesn't really get much chance to look at their own taillights when driving. You get to see the sequentials when you lock/unlock the car, so thats a nice reminder at least.
