OK, this is my situation, and it's probably not nearly the same for everyone, but probably for some. It's common knowlege that the Cuda rear has holes for the plate lights that are totally the wrong shape for the stock housings. So, before paint, I fiberglassed and filled the holes, leaving NO lights. After the paint, I went and drilled holes for 4 LEDs to shine down onto the plate. Bad idea (or bad execution), but they lasted 2 months before the LEDs rusted out at their bases and they stopped working. I probably should have siliconed everything... duh. ANYWAY, here's what I've done, after 10 months of no plate lights (and dodging the 5-0).

I purchased Street Glow LED Strips in white. $23 after shipping for a pair on ebay.



Also needed are at least the following tools:
Dremel with various grinding stone shape bits
Drill & Bits
Clear Silicone
Brush, swabs, and other cleaning untensils
Rubbing Alcohol
Wiring nuts & connectors
Elec. tape
as well as standard shop tools


mask out with tape the shape, size and location of the LED Strip to help when grinding. Drill a hole at opposite ends for the wires to go through.


Use whatever grinding bits you have on your dremel, but do your best to make a box shape to seat the LED strip securely.


Keep fitting the LED Strip until it's flush.


When both grooves are cut and perfect, clean all of the dust out with the brush, and using rubbing alcohol and a swab, clean, clean, clean.


Fill the grooves & holes with clear silicone, don't worry about being messy... as long as you're using clear silicone! peel the adhesive strip from the back of the LED Strip, and press it into the groove. With a wet paper towel, wipe excess away. Fill the wire hole from the back of the bumper with silicone to ensure a water-tight seal.


Wipe excess away as needed as it dries, just make sure the circuit board behind the LEDs is encased in the silicone to prevent rusting.

Sadly I didn't take pics of the wiring, but I just tapped the positive wires of the LED strips to the positive wire of one of the stock plate lights, and tapped the negative wires to the stock negative wire. Simple. If you need a diagram of how to do that, you shouldn't be doing this DIY at all. drillsergeant.gif

Here is the final product.


It looks perfect. As for how it holds up, still a work in progress, but with all the silicone involved, I doubt there will be any issues. I'll post if there are though.



and here's a pic at a fast shutter speed to show how the strips light up... 3 flat LEDs per strip.

 

Nice DIY...If mine ever go out I may have to try this. It's been 3 years now and no short outs.

 

nice job. looks AWESOME

 

cool.gif

 

do u put the silcone over the hole thing?

 

you could if you wanted, considering it's clear. I put a very thin layer over the entire thing, then wiped it off the domed top with a wet paper towel while it was still wet.

 

ya me not thinking i didnt fill in those holes. i was kinda pissed but just bought an led tube on ebay. its thick enough to cover the holes i just have to figure out soem way to make it fit without looking really bad

 

Nice writeup phorq, ill add it to the listing.