hidden reverse light ideas

[icemanrd19]

Has anyone thought of a creative way to hid the reverse lights on a car? I really dont want to put those ugly reverse lights on my car. I was thinking about getting some mini reverse lights and somehow mounting them inside the bumper. Figured get a set of chrome reverse lights might not look bad in the chrome bumper. I also thought about hiding them underneath the car somehow.

Car is a 67 camaro

[absintheisfun]

I've been putting some thought into this as well....I haven't really come up with much, but thought that if I could fabricate a bracket, in the recess of the rear bumper where the license plate goes I could get something there like a long skinny strip of white LED's.

I'm going to be watching this though to see if anyone came up with anything good!

[neki67]

I also would appreciate some good ideas!

[Oats]

Also curious where this thread goes....

[shep]

A little pricey but these would work well http://www.visibolt.com/Bolts.htm

[nekkidhillbilly]

i dont see how those would make it possible to see how to back up

[bigshotsho93]

what about something in a license plate frame but hooked to the reverse lights so they only come on when in reverse. maybe a few led strips, not sure if it would be bright enough i have not used any clear leds so not sure how visible the light would be due to the leds being directional.

[Ash]

Hmm...there really isn't a solution for this on the market, is there?

[icemanrd19]

nope. I think a vendor should be reading this. lol. I would love some LED bright lights that also act as license plate bolts. I think ill head to a motorcycle shop and see if they have any options as far as small lighting.

[racedaddy]

in the mini truck scene there are license plate frames that drop down to drive, what about having them on an actuator so they drop down from the rear valance when they come on and then retract when they are off....or if you want exhaust tips you can buy some that are surrounded by LED's, these are cheap and are sold at autozone-not sure how bright they are

[The Stickman]

Try this. It's what I did to my wife's car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47Ug5Deq2sY

[icemanrd19]

not a bad idea. I think ill just put a thin strip by the bumper

[Bigblue73]

This all depends on how far you want to take this. I have 48 (5mm) LED arrays that can either be hardwired or use an 1156 connection. These are really bright. I use 24 white in the day time running lights and 24 amber. Brad has seen the driving lights in the front of my car during the day. At night, they have no problem illuminating my entire house front at about 40 yards away. The outside diameter is 2.06 inches. Honestly, if you would mount it angled under the inside of back valance it WILL light up the rear of the car for you to see. The issue becomes a small housing to protect it and the electrical connection. Maybe an early ford mustang unit?

As far as strip lighting, these styles are available and basically stick on to any panel or housing using double sided tape. I would recommend a different style of tape if you are considering these for an automotive installation. These are not bright at all and are only designed to add color to items since the LED size is quite small.

[Bigblue73]

So what about something like this?


These are very similar to the ones that Neil installed.

[TA219]

I was able to accomplish this by attaching lights to the inner quarter panel (that attaches to the wheel well and inner rear valance) I used rectangular lights and placed them at an angle. It provides a decent amount of light (although it does me no good since I have 5% tint on the back glass now!).

Forgive what a mess the car was, this was after I initially installed them which was the same time that wet sanding and 100 other things were going on.

[icemanrd19]

yup. Im just going to hide them under like this. THanks guys

[nekkidhillbilly]

i have a set of them on my truck with the oem ones and didnt really help much

[gotmy68goat]

I haven't done it, but you might check with a company that supplies light bars for police vehicles. The lights used are extremely bright led's and fairly compact.

[Bigblue73]

Trailer back up lights is another alternative. The units are completely sealed.

[dontlifttoshift]

I hide mine in the garbage can, they become totally invisible then.

I know, real helpful. :D