Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

Taillight Mod

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 03:49 PM
  #1  
mermel's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: New York City, NY, USA
Default Taillight Mod

I saw a 1985 Chevy Caprice with this once. The pic is small because it's someone's avatar on ThirdGen.org

I want to do this to my 01 T/A. Anyone know how?

Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 04:23 PM
  #2  
ghettocruiser's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 2
From: West Chester, PA
Default

Its commonly known as the "sequential turn signal mod". I think you can get a module, and you have to change the outermost socket...but that might be all there is to it. I dont know for sure...

Might turn something up if you google seq. turn signal mod.

Here is a site off the cuff...although not showing any support for f-bodies, it might be a good place to start.

http://www.sequentialtaillights.com/

And another site that has it listed..but looks like you have to join the site.

http://www.importmodifications.com/chevroletcamaro.html



J.

Last edited by ghettocruiser; Dec 13, 2007 at 04:28 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 13, 2007 | 07:10 PM
  #3  
87formy's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Default

IIRC the guy you got the avatar from sells them. He might be able to help you out. I might have seen kits on ebay too.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 07:05 AM
  #4  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

Have a look on Brent Franker's site. Brent is well known for f-body mods - he sells the brass replacement gears for Firebird headlight motors.

I have the sequential turn signals in my T/A and they are a real attention grabber. I almost consider them a safety item because people really notice when you use them. I even had a guy in a BMW follow me into a parking lot to ask where I got them.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 08:50 AM
  #5  
mermel's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: New York City, NY, USA
Default

Thanks, WhiteBird, but I have all the electrical know-how of a brick, so I think I'll get someone more experienced than I to install this kit.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 08:57 AM
  #6  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

Actually, it's quite easy. If you can connect the wiring for a stereo then you can do this mod. It's just a case of adding a dual filament bulb socket for the outer segment to replace the factory single filament socket and then connecting the wires. If you don't want the sequencing to happen when the brakes are applied then you also need to run a pair of wires up to the steering column to connect there.

Then you might have to play around with different flashers until you get the timing right. I think it was the fourth flasher I tried that finally was slow enough.
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 11:48 AM
  #7  
mermel's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: New York City, NY, USA
Default

I can hook up speakers to a stereo, but the instructions talk about cutting and tracing and shortening wires and all kinds of stuff that I know nothing about.

And I don't understand what you mean by "fourth flasher," but I DO want the sequence to happen when I brake.

To be honest, I'd rather set it up so that the lights alternate as opposed to sequentially light up. So instead of going "OFF-I-IM-IMO-OFF" (I - inside, M - middle, O - outside) it would go "OFF-I-M-O-M-I-M-O-etc." Any idea how to do that?
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 12:55 PM
  #8  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

Originally Posted by mermel
I can hook up speakers to a stereo, but the instructions talk about cutting and tracing and shortening wires and all kinds of stuff that I know nothing about.
No tracing is necessary - I can tell you where to find the necessary wires and what color they are.


Originally Posted by mermel
And I don't understand what you mean by "fourth flasher," but I DO want the sequence to happen when I brake.
I meant that I bought several different flashers in an effort to find one that would cycle slow enough that the light sequencing would have the desired effect. It was the fourth or fifth one I tried that finally ran slow enough.

Originally Posted by mermel
To be honest, I'd rather set it up so that the lights alternate as opposed to sequentially light up. So instead of going "OFF-I-IM-IMO-OFF" (I - inside, M - middle, O - outside) it would go "OFF-I-M-O-M-I-M-O-etc." Any idea how to do that?
I don't know of a way to do that other than creating your own electronic module and providing an alternate power source. You're not allowing for an off cycle in that pattern but the power coming from the turn signal switch is an on-off pattern. Not to mention that what you're suggesting would be confusing to people behind you. The sequential pattern moves from inside to outside making the direction of the signal obvious.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 01:16 PM
  #9  
mermel's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: New York City, NY, USA
Default

Ok, then from what you're telling me there's only one thing stopping me from doing this myself. I don't have or have access to (or even know what it is) a Dremel. It says I have to cut my taillight in the back in a way that would allow the outer light to illuminate during braking and turning.

I'm very scared when I do something to my car myself since I don't know what I'm doing. One thing done wrong and it won't work. Give me a computer, a screwdriver, and a RAM tester and I can troubleshoot anything computer-wise, but I know nothing when it comes to cars (don't even know how to change my own oil).
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 01:24 PM
  #10  
WhiteBird00's Avatar
Ungrounded Moderator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 345
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Default

A Dremel is the brand name of a rotary tool. It is somewhat similar to a drill but it's designed to use various cutting and grinding tips.

There is an existing bulb and socket in the outboard segment of the taillight but it's a single filament bulb that only works with the running lights. You need to install a dual filament bulb and socket there so that it will work with the brakes and turn signals as well as the running lights. Dual filament bulbs and sockets are larger than the single filament ones so you use the rotary tool to enlarge the existing hole to fit the new socket. You could do it with a sharp knife if you're patient but you can get a rotary tool from Harbor Freight for $20 (they even have a 12V model for $8).
Reply
Old Dec 14, 2007 | 01:51 PM
  #11  
mermel's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: New York City, NY, USA
Default

Power tools and me don't mix either. I'll just get someone from my local FBody Association to do it. Still, many thanks for the link. Cheap for such a cool mod.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:32 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE