2 replies to this topic

[beardylondon]

So 10 years ago plus I fitted a home made LED brake light and indicators to my Mk1 using pretty basic LED strips.

This is the original as fitted:

https://youtu.be/x_ClZ2I1lIM

Then in 2021 when I bought my 1990 Cooper I used LED rope to create this:

https://youtu.be/aAtGp7eh0VE
And
https://youtu.be/vn483O7L-Dc

See build thread here:
https://www.theminif...and-indicators/

So now in 2025 the original LEDs in the MK1 were looking pretty dated, and are very obvious from the exterior.

I was following a fairly new Range Rover and I noticed the indicators are hidden behind tinted black plastic and it gave me an idea.

In the photographic and film world neutral density filters are used, and the effect is that it’s a near black out when put over light when off. So I got some samples, as there are different grades and did some tests.

I found the 0.6 ND was best, as it let enough light through, but also masked the Neons in daylight

https://www.ebay.co....ar=466577377135

So I ordered the following, 1 metre of Orange and 1 metre of red:

8mm sized Neon (the coloured rubber bit) and 6mm LED

https://www.aliexpre....74e61802uDFUK4

Then I need something to mount it all in, so I got some 12mm conduit from B & Q and sprayed it matt black, and bent it ever so slightly to the shape of the rear screen.

See process here:



Please note, rather than get into making custom clips as I did with the Cooper, I used my original method and gaffer tapped it to the piece above the rear screen, with very sticky Gorilla Tape. Not ideal, but the last one stayed there 10 years plus.

This is the result, which I'm pretty happy with.

https://youtu.be/yESatedFQ8g

Photo in daylight:

Edited by beardylondon, 24 June 2025 - 01:25 PM.

[john2502]

This is a genuine question and not meant to sound snarky at all. Are you ever worried the high indicators will be more of a distraction to other drivers behind you?

 

I have a Daihatsu cuore light which I need to get around to wiring up on the rear parcel shelf which I feel is similar to other car's top 3rd brake lights.

 

Having indicators in the rear window high up is unusual and I wonder would driver's ever be more distracted by this than just a brake light line (which is more....expected I guess).

 

I highly admire the work that's gone into it, and sorry to sound negative, was just my thought.

 

Cheers. John

[beardylondon]

Hi John,

I’ve been driving round with the first incarnation for 10 plus years, and only ever had good comments. I lived in the London at the time, and I got regularly tailgated by SUVs and the like a few times. Even when not being tailgated, a few times drivers (especially trucks and HGVs) must have not seen the small and let’s be honest weak and low down brake light and indicators, especially I believe harder to see in certain conditions, such as bright sunlight. Hence having something high up is not a distraction in my opinion, but an extra warning. I spoke to an MOT tester about it at the time, and he wasn’t concerned and thought it is a great idea.

The indicators are probably at the height of some modern SUVs indicators anyway. Plus don’t see how it’s any different from when you see a recovery vehicle with additional lights. Granted you don’t expect to see them on a classic car!

Edited by beardylondon, 25 June 2025 - 08:38 AM.