Tail light Knockout
05-10-2011, 12:45 AM
#1
Tail light Knockout
Well I know you guys don't feel great about these Knight Rider cars(some of ya, but you might like this tail light Knockout from Billy of Knight Designs.....Would look cool on any trans am..anyway Well, before I got started on the interior and engine stuff....I just had to go ahead and do this to the car...been waiting awhile to do this, but here it is... MY TAIL LIGHT KNOCKOUT!!!!! YEY!.... I got the tail light knockout from Billy of Knight Designs, although you might want to take your time on this as it does take awhile to do. First off, this is my second one of these, but this is my first from Billy. Billy's is definately sturdy and not going anywhere anytime soon, that's for sure. This is not a tutorial, this is just how I did it...First off, you have to split the tail lights into their two sections....which, just undo the pins on the bottom and the two pins on top(plastic ones).....then , you go ahead and mount the tail lights and make a few brackets.....go to your local Lowes hardware are any hardware store and get some 90 degree elbows made out of aluminum.... then mount it.....
When you take the tail lights apart , you will see that the tops of them are undone. You have to secure these as these are what holds your knockout bracket on. Here's the knockout bracket put on.... By the way...that center section has to come out or the middle will not be flush with your bumper....too much space....found out the hard way... Anyway
I put long holes on the brackets so I could adjust them before tightening...this way you can get the knockout plastic to be exactly with your bumper....
After I got this done, I just had to put the plate on.... anyway...that's Billy's knockout. Definately a days work , but worth it. I still need to get me a chrome bezel for my plate. but that will be tommorrow.... Anyway Thanks for a taking a gander
Marc
When you take the tail lights apart , you will see that the tops of them are undone. You have to secure these as these are what holds your knockout bracket on. Here's the knockout bracket put on.... By the way...that center section has to come out or the middle will not be flush with your bumper....too much space....found out the hard way... Anyway
I put long holes on the brackets so I could adjust them before tightening...this way you can get the knockout plastic to be exactly with your bumper....
After I got this done, I just had to put the plate on.... anyway...that's Billy's knockout. Definately a days work , but worth it. I still need to get me a chrome bezel for my plate. but that will be tommorrow.... Anyway Thanks for a taking a gander
Marc
05-10-2011, 03:34 PM
#2
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Re: Tail light Knockout
illegal, but clean
05-15-2011, 10:01 PM
#4
Re: Tail light Knockout
Thats what show-car insurance is for.
Some states have varying rules. I believe in IL they have to be visible from 500ft with running lights on. *note RUNNING lights, not brake lights. So the light must be visible from 500ft without pressing the brake pedal to switch the tail lights from low to high voltage).
Check with your states vehicle codes to be sure. But this is what it is for IL.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs...qEnd=129300000
Based on that, on a normal night, as long as his blacked out lights were visible from 500ft with just the running lights on he'd be legal.
The only stickler I can think of would be the reflector requirement for visibility that later thirdgens got (the lower rear reflector in case of 85-90 birds, and upper rear reflector in case of 91-92 birds) Its there for a reason, but i'm not sure about the legality in removing it.
Some states have varying rules. I believe in IL they have to be visible from 500ft with running lights on. *note RUNNING lights, not brake lights. So the light must be visible from 500ft without pressing the brake pedal to switch the tail lights from low to high voltage).
Check with your states vehicle codes to be sure. But this is what it is for IL.
All other motor vehicles shall exhibit at least 2 lighted head lamps, with at least one on each side of the front of the vehicle, which satisfy United States Department of Transportation requirements, showing white lights, including that emitted by high intensity discharge (HID) lamps, or lights of a yellow or amber tint, during the period from sunset to sunrise, at times when rain, snow, fog, or other atmospheric conditions require the use of windshield wipers, and at any other times when, due to insufficient light or unfavorable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 1000 feet. Parking lamps may be used in addition to but not in lieu of such head lamps. Every motor vehicle, trailer, or semi‑trailer shall also exhibit at least 2 lighted lamps, commonly known as tail lamps, which shall be mounted on the left rear and right rear of the vehicle so as to throw a red light visible for at least 500 feet in the reverse direction, except that a truck tractor or road tractor manufactured before January 1, 1968 and all motorcycles need be equipped with only one such tail lamp.
Based on that, on a normal night, as long as his blacked out lights were visible from 500ft with just the running lights on he'd be legal.
The only stickler I can think of would be the reflector requirement for visibility that later thirdgens got (the lower rear reflector in case of 85-90 birds, and upper rear reflector in case of 91-92 birds) Its there for a reason, but i'm not sure about the legality in removing it.
Last edited by Thirdgen89GTA; 05-15-2011 at 10:16 PM.
05-29-2011, 05:17 PM
#7
Re: Tail light Knockout
Here is Billy's lit up with his car.....Does look a little dim for daylight driving. Depends on what your doing as / show/ driver.... You might get a ticket and then again, there are cops that would see the replica and go, well, it is a replica of KITT......How likely is that $hit? You'd probably get a ticket, but here they are lit. Hopefully Billy won't mind me posting his car lit up, we go back, me and that Billy guy ...Jjokin. Also , remember , I did take the outer smoke off , and now the lexan plastic is the smoked lens. Not really a difference except the Lexan is slightly darker....Hmmm....just a little maybe? Here you guys go...Just remember , it is a replica car for shows.
Marc
Marc
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06-25-2011, 08:58 AM
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Car: '89 RS camaro 305 TBI
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Re: Tail light Knockout
Looks awesome!
One of very few times I feel sorry for not having a Firebird.
Wouldnīt it be possible to take a sheet of Lexan, cut it to shape and use something like VHT Niteshade to make a somewhat lighter version?
I have to disagree on the LEDīs. Old fashioned lightbulbs light out a taillight in a way LEDīs just can not equal. Part of the charm is the light fall-off towards the edges, and that is really what makes mods like this one work in my opinion
One of very few times I feel sorry for not having a Firebird.
Wouldnīt it be possible to take a sheet of Lexan, cut it to shape and use something like VHT Niteshade to make a somewhat lighter version?
I have to disagree on the LEDīs. Old fashioned lightbulbs light out a taillight in a way LEDīs just can not equal. Part of the charm is the light fall-off towards the edges, and that is really what makes mods like this one work in my opinion
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