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RED TAIL HAWK FAB WING LIGHT MOD… w/PHOTOS

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Old 08-15-2010 | 08:23 AM
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Default RED TAIL HAWK FAB WING LIGHT MOD… w/PHOTOS

Hello ScionLifers.
I have another unique mod to talk about. This one is very loud visually. This mod is for XB’s with the FABULUS spoiler wing or any mounted FAB TYPE wing. Cost of the part was $8.95.
Two sided tape was required. Many hands to help is desired.
As you can see below, it is hardly noticeable when OFF:

On a cloudy day, visiblility is outstanding. Safety first!

Now, after dusk, the LED’s seem to be bright. Seen here at the YOUNGER SCION ‘PURE SCION’ SHOW in Haggarstown, MD. This was a fun event from 6pm to 10pm. This is the first show that allows the display of light mods when the sun goes down. See the photo below with the Full Moon Hubcaps:

See the photo below with OEM Hubcaps:

The front lights were upgraded. I use the halo/eyebrow as daytime running lights. Not angle eyes, more like angry eyes or crazy eyes. No other cars have lit eyebrows, as far as I know.

I tapped into the license plate lights, so these are parking lights or running lights. Or perhaps ‘NO TAILGATING’ lights.
Works better than towing a port-o-potty. No one behind me and no one to the side because of the side marker LED’s.
Here we see the effect of darkness on these lights:

Sorry the shot below is so fuzzy:

Rear view at night. Red LED’s in the license plate lights as well. My other LED mod this week was a dome light replacement. I chose cool white but I might switch to red.

A single 48 inch string of LED’s wrapped around the rear window washer nozzle, so it works just as before.
Garage testing after installation shown in the next photo:

The burn in test was critical. This product is from China.
It is not UL listed. This product could burst into flames at any moment if not installed correctly and/or not sealed in the back with enough sealing plastic to fully cover the wires.
If too much glue is used, and there is a flaw in the seal…POOF! My first install resulted in a FIRE on the BOX!
Not flames, but a sizzeling sound, smoke that stained the window and wing. A bad burning smell in the air. There was a burn mark on the hatch paint. But, now that I know what is what, my mistakes can be the keys to your modification success. Apply two sided tape to the string of lights, on the back and the top. Leave the cover on the tape, fold over one corner so you can pull it out once taped string of lights is in place. Many hands are needed to make sure the string is mounted flushly to the wing above and the hatch behind it.
You can use glue, but it will remove paint when or if it is removed. The hard part is the wiring the LED wires into the license plate light. Access through the rubber wire harness at the top of your hatch. Pull it up, and use your tester to see what wire is hot when the plate lights are lit. Tap into that wire, poke a small hole in the rubber protector for your power lead. The negative can be any ground spot. Hide the wires as best as you can. Mount the string first, then do the wiring.
See here for another view in the garage:

So there it is, a new mod. I will post some better photos soon.
As usual, when you invent a mod, you get to name it. This is the “RED TAIL HAWK FAB WING LITE MOD”.
Questions? Comments? Feel free…. Feel free to mount these on, but not under your box, underglow is not allowed.
Final photo follows:

Old 08-15-2010 | 01:31 PM
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WOW, nice work BUT that would be TOO MUCH of an attention getter where i live.....
Old 08-15-2010 | 06:40 PM
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Default ..Hello Rockland.....

Grew up in Montvale, on the border at the Blue Hill building.

I need to know when ROCKLAND TOYOTA is having their next show.

On April 4, 2009, I went to the indoor show at York, PA. That was the same day that you had your big SCION show. I'll go to the next one, if it is on a Sunday.

In the few hours that I have been running with these lights, many a cop has observed, followed and inspected my rear at a 2:30 am DUI checkpoint. The cop asked me for my license, and asked if I was drinking.
My words stumbled out at first, but I was then able to articulate better. He took my license to the rear of the car. I could see the red glow in his face. He came back to me and almost said something nice about my car. He said, "So, you like these things?" I said 'I'ts fun". He handed my license back and I was free to go. There was about a dozen North Carolina Troopers standing there, gawking. So, as I left I shouted "THERE AINT GONNA BE NO TICKET!!" I laughed as I pulled away. Just out of view was a whole bunch of cars and people on the side of the road. Unhappy people waiting for a tow or credintials or something.

Anyway, Toyota is coming back, post up info on your next show, ROCKLAND.
Old 08-24-2010 | 08:50 AM
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hey, if you get rid of your White LED dome light...I want it!
how bright white is it?
Old 08-24-2010 | 07:45 PM
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Default ..LED DOME...

LED dome light replacement has 16 LED's. Not pictured above. $15 from Oznum:
http://www.oznium.com/search?q=bulbs

I got cool white and it is very bright at night.
It fits in behind your dome light cover.
Old 08-24-2010 | 08:55 PM
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Hey man, where do you live?
I live about 20 minutes from Hagerstown on I-81. I'd like to check out your xB one day.

Are you selling the cool white Dome light?
Old 08-25-2010 | 06:43 AM
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Default ..More photos..(no dome light photos)...

You are Z MAN, I am Z HAWK. Some dealer will have a show, I get around and I show to all. Watch for shows or events like Scion Swap Meets.
No, I am not selling dome lights. I just bought a set from Ozniun and installed them. See link above, go to Scion Zone.
Here are some better shots.

There are LED's in the headlights. Halo and eyebrows are LED's.

Tail lights have been agumented. Anyone like or dislike?
Old 08-25-2010 | 03:25 PM
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I think that could too easily be mistaken as a third brake light and actually cause problems...
Old 08-28-2010 | 04:59 AM
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I Like the way that looks but i'd make it as a 3rd brake light and the tag lights LED white. like Rock Toyota said, in NY your going to get in some trouble with red tag lights. or anywhere really.

I grew up in Rockland county and bought my 04 from Rockland Toyota. first one with a manual March 10th, 2004

xBhawk, my (late) ex-fiancé grew up in Montvale as well. and my dad worked at Blue Hill. small small world this place is
Old 08-28-2010 | 06:12 PM
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I have no knowledge of any Scion meets.

Is there a website I could go to to see some other xB guys?
Old 08-30-2010 | 01:48 AM
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Default ..From ScionLife Regional....

This is the next show that I'm going to, link below.
Rockville, MD. Can Z MAN make it there? Sunday 9-26-10
https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=191102

These LED's could be wired to the brakes. A long wire from the hatch hinge to the wiring for the passenger side tail lights would be tricky. Also, I almost never use the brakes. 115,000 miles with only 2 rear drum adjustments.
(5-Speed) Looks like I ride my brakes? I only ride my brake lights, not my brakes.

Hope to hear about a Rockland show so I can visit my homeland.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=191102
Old 08-30-2010 | 05:41 AM
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Thanks! You shall see my xB and I shall see yours. Now to get off work early that day haha.
Old 09-16-2010 | 07:38 AM
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Default ...Now legal in 48 states....

I bought 2 red LED bulbs to replace the rear side marker bulbs, but our rear side marker's bulb is not replacable, it is in a sealed unit.

So, I tried the bulbs in the license plate lights. I had one bulb that went off sometimes on the right side of my plate. This problem was a poorly connecting bulb. The LED bulb shed a lot of light but some of the surfaces on it would go off and go on at random times. It almost looked like a strobe effect as parts of these multi LED bulbs went off and on.

So, I have now got good old clear bulbs in the license plate lights and they look good. Or good to me, it must be legal and it is a contrast to the red. See additional photos below:


Viewed with hatch opened to show the secret of the optical illusion.
Old 09-16-2010 | 10:53 PM
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Originally Posted by xBHAWK
I bought 2 red LED bulbs to replace the rear side marker bulbs, but our rear side marker's bulb is not replacable, it is in a sealed unit.

So, I tried the bulbs in the license plate lights. I had one bulb that went off sometimes on the right side of my plate. This problem was a poorly connecting bulb. The LED bulb shed a lot of light but some of the surfaces on it would go off and go on at random times. It almost looked like a strobe effect as parts of these multi LED bulbs went off and on.

So, I have now got good old clear bulbs in the license plate lights and they look good. Or good to me, it must be legal and it is a contrast to the red. See additional photos below:



This doesn't do it justice but I have a 12 inch LED strip for my license lights.
It now lights up the whole road behind my car.

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It's pretty awesome, I just hate the reflection of the strip.

Last edited by Zman; 09-17-2010 at 03:51 PM.
Old 09-17-2010 | 01:44 AM
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Default ...WOW...

That looks good Z-Man. I can not wait to see that LED license plate light. But why did you need 24 inches? 10 or 12 inches would (should) be enough. Where is the rest of the 24 inch string?

I have got a suggestion.... I just bought the LED tails.
I swapped the sockets so that my directional signal is on the bottom, lighting up the larger chamber with an amber bulb.
The reverse light is on top, in the smaller chamber.
Reach in there and swap the sockets, (leave the bulbs in place). Testing is underway to prove out my theory, right now I am performing a side by side test run with one LED and one TYC for tail lights. Compare and contrast!

More suggestions to come, I'll see for myself on 9-26-10.
Old 09-17-2010 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by xBHAWK
That looks good Z-Man. I can not wait to see that LED license plate light. But why did you need 24 inches? 10 or 12 inches would (should) be enough. Where is the rest of the 24 inch string?

I have got a suggestion.... I just bought the LED tails.
I swapped the sockets so that my directional signal is on the bottom, lighting up the larger chamber with an amber bulb.
The reverse light is on top, in the smaller chamber.
Reach in there and swap the sockets, (leave the bulbs in place). Testing is underway to prove out my theory, right now I am performing a side by side test run with one LED and one TYC for tail lights. Compare and contrast!

More suggestions to come, I'll see for myself on 9-26-10.
Ha, oh yeah, I used 12inches but I bought 24inches.

I bought all the stuff to do the LED turn signal mod a year ago, but I haven't got the courage to do it.

Check this out: https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=126865


Meanwhile your little swap seems cool.
Old 01-01-2011 | 10:52 PM
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Default ___168 LED's = NO TAILGATING___

Updated Photo:

This MOD is working out well. No confusion. UNIQUE on EARTH.
I am still not done! Street Glow reflective tape will be afixed in 2011.
Old 01-06-2011 | 08:03 PM
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that looks good
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