9 replies to this topic

[43rocks]

When driving your MK7 more so during day light hours do you guys/Gals ever feel like the the car behind you doesn't or can't see the rear turn signals or brake lights. I know they see the third deck light, makes me wonder as i don't see them back off as I am signaling for a turn, what have you folks done for mods that you feel are worth the effort and money, time. Are the mods MK7 friendly/ let me know,I saw where Mark VII SVO did some mods, looks pretty good.

[W.V. Kelly]

I think this is something we have to get used to. I've been honked at and PASSED ON THE RIGHT while signalling a RIGHT turn into my own driveway. There's no shortage of drivers out there that would rather do anything BUT step on the brake.

That said, you can increase the visibility of the Mark VII taillight assemblies. We did this when repainting "Old Blue". Pull the lenses away from the housings and after cleaning the reflector surfaces paint them with good quality "chrome" spray paint. Noticeably brighter than the 20+/- year old lights.
W. V .Kelly

[Oil_Injected]

I have been thinking about installing some LED's after seeing the Mark VII SVO video

[43rocks]

W.V. Kelly, on 29 November 2011 - 12:27 AM, said:

I think this is something we have to get used to. I've been honked at and PASSED ON THE RIGHT while signaling a RIGHT turn into my own driveway. There's no shortage of drivers out there that would rather do anything BUT step on the brake.

That said, you can increase the visibility of the Mark VII taillight assemblies. We did this when repainting "Old Blue". Pull the lenses away from the housings and after cleaning the reflector surfaces paint them with good quality "chrome" spray paint. Noticeably brighter than the 20+/- year old lights.
W. V .Kelly

that is quite the simple fix, i must try that, I do believe that major brand off the shelf rattle can company has come out with a very nice ( as shown on TV) product.

Oil injected LED's seem to be time intensive and a lot of parts, but at the end of day it is a nice mod.

[Oil_Injected]

I have found the LED banks them selves for about $40 each, 4 rows of 20 lights. They are about 1.25" x 13". The control module (those of you who are more electronic savy will prob know better what they are called) is about $20 and you will need one for each tailight. This takes the 12v and does some witchcraft to make the LEDs work.

I was just going to take the dremmel to the taillight housing and cut a 1.25" x 13" opening into the back then epoxy the LED board in place. From there its just a matter of hooking up a couple of wires. However you may need to do the fronts too or the flasher module in the fusebox might not see enough resistance for the turn signals and flashers to work.


If your just going for increased visability I'd probably just clean the housings. If the lense doesnt want to seperate from the housing easily, pop the unit into the over for acouple of minutes, this will soften the epoxy holding it on if there is any. You can do this to the front corner lights to get them open and remove the amber reflector in there for a custom look. But that is kinda going the other direction from where you are heading.

[W.V. Kelly]

IMHO LEDs are harsh.
W. V. Kelly

[43rocks]

Oil_Injected, on 30 November 2011 - 10:27 PM, said:

I have found the LED banks them selves for about $40 each, 4 rows of 20 lights. They are about 1.25" x 13". The control module (those of you who are more electronic Savoy will prob know better what they are called) is about $20 and you will need one for each taillight. This takes the 12v and does some witchcraft to make the LEDs work.

I was just going to take the dremmel to the taillight housing and cut a 1.25" x 13" opening into the back then epoxy the LED board in place. From there its just a matter of hooking up a couple of wires. However you may need to do the fronts too or the flasher module in the fuse box might not see enough resistance for the turn signals and flashers to work.


If your just going for increased visibility I'd probably just clean the housings. If the lense doesn't want to separate from the housing easily, pop the unit into the over for couple of minutes, this will soften the epoxy holding it on if there is any. You can do this to the front corner lights to get them open and remove the amber reflector in there for a custom look. But that is kinda going the other direction from where you are heading.

I have an old extra set of rear lens, so i can practice on them, I like the idea of LEDs, but I am to nervous about cutting things, it takes me time to get my nerve up. I know sometime in the future I will go that route just to have done it.

[43rocks]

I have 2 MK7's to try to do all the ideas that i like, that the group has come up with, on the red MK7 it will have what I have fond to be useful tasteful( not to Harsh) and get the most bragging points, LoL.

[88MK7Man]

Oil_Injected, on 30 November 2011 - 10:27 PM, said:

However you may need to do the fronts too or the flasher module in the fusebox might not see enough resistance for the turn signals and flashers to work.

You might actually have to swap the old flasher out for an electronic flasher in order for turn signals to work. Of course these days people don't know what turn signals are for. I could swear that the longest lasting part on a Mercedes or BMW is the turn signal stalk. lol

[W.V. Kelly]

88MK7Man, on 02 December 2011 - 04:38 AM, said:

... Of course these days people don't know what turn signals are for. I could swear that the longest lasting part on a Mercedes or BMW is the turn signal stalk. lol

And I thought that all of those late model cars had broken signals.
W. V. Kelly