Cutting open the 2009 370Z tail lights

ZeeRedZ · 02-18-2013, 09:06 PM

OK, need to know if anyone has attempted to cut open the tail lights on a 2009 370Z. I want to install LEDs in them but have not seen anyone post this mod on the DYI section. Has anyone tried? The concern is cracking the lens when cutting it open. Thanks for any feedback.

AlexRaymond19 · 02-18-2013, 09:15 PM

Use a hot knife man, no chance of cracking it... Search online, i don't think anyone has done it with a Z yet, but ive seen a lot of other cars do it. The process should be the same. Be the first and write an awesome DIY thread!

Z370Z011 · 02-18-2013, 09:38 PM

I thought we weren't able to open our tail lights? Its all fused together or something like that (dont quote me on it) i THINK i remember reading something like that. But if you try it, let is know how it goes!

TreeSemdyZee · 02-18-2013, 09:43 PM

Do you mean LED strips?

bullitt5897 · 02-19-2013, 08:11 PM

AS others have said before... A hot knife is the only way to open the taillights cleanly unless your a master with a dremel tool...

The taillights already posses LED's but if your looking to add accent lighting your best bet is to start about a 1/2" from the lens and go slow.

I would look over the lens carefully everywhere you intend to cut!

Make sure the taillights will be able to come apart before you cut by looking through the lens and examining the back side. Secondly, I would draw your cut line before cutting.

Remember your power lines will have to go through the back of the housing so make plans for that and know where you intend to tap for power...

These are just a few helpful tips before trying this... I wouldnt mind putting a DIY if I could find a cheap broken taillight somewhere or that someone would be willing to give me for a tutorial...

whyte_widow · 03-28-2013, 10:51 PM

pretty sure the z tail lights are already led?

Wonka2581 · 03-28-2013, 11:05 PM

sub'd I gotta see this...

DriftKr6l · 03-28-2013, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wonka2581

sub'd I gotta see this...

I second that

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

Wonka2581 · 04-23-2013, 01:42 AM

Any updates?

Flyryde · 02-14-2015, 05:32 PM

Flyryde · 02-16-2015, 02:18 PM

Not sure if I just deleted this, or I'm breaking rules and they're getting deleted by admin/mods:

Check out the extra sections sliced out on the first unit I opened just to find how it was assembled inside! The 2nd one was nice and clean.

josemartinrea · 02-19-2015, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flyryde

Woah. This. Done. How much?

edliaszenik · 02-19-2015, 03:42 PM

So what did you change??

bullitt5897 · 02-19-2015, 04:02 PM

How well were you able to seal it back up?

He painted the internals black.

Tadpole · 02-19-2015, 04:26 PM

Looks like Mr. Fly showed you boys how to get er done. Props to you Mosca!

02-18-2013, 09:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
ZeeRedZ Base Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 124 Drives: 370Z Rep Power: 14	Cutting open the 2009 370Z tail lights OK, need to know if anyone has attempted to cut open the tail lights on a 2009 370Z. I want to install LEDs in them but have not seen anyone post this mod on the DYI section. Has anyone tried? The concern is cracking the lens when cutting it open. Thanks for any feedback.

02-18-2013, 09:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
AlexRaymond19 Track Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Maine Posts: 771 Drives: 2010 Nissan 370z Rep Power: 15	Use a hot knife man, no chance of cracking it... Search online, i don't think anyone has done it with a Z yet, but ive seen a lot of other cars do it. The process should be the same. Be the first and write an awesome DIY thread! TerribleONE likes this. __________________ 2010 370Z Touring MT \| Stillen \| Motordyne \| Momentum\| Z1 \| Fast Intentions \| Advant Garde \| RE11 \| Swift \| SPC \| Quaife \| Whiteline \| Evo R \| 322RWHP 259ft-lb Mustang

02-18-2013, 09:43 PM	#4 (permalink)
TreeSemdyZee Premium Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Kentuck-IANA Age: 60 Posts: 4,885 Drives: '09 370 & ‘14 Juke Rep Power: 27408	Do you mean LED strips? __________________ Borla S-Type \| Motordyne \| Z1 (lots) \| South Bend \| K&N \| Nismo/Nismo S-Tune \| Eibach \| Aerojacket \| Fujimara \| Spl \| ZSpeed Performance \| Kenwood-Infinity-Sound Ordnance \| Whiteline \| Ecutek \| Hotchkis \| Clazzio \| VQ Vortex \|Morimoto XB \|Dynosty Tune 329.64hp 265.73 ft/lb

02-19-2013, 08:11 PM	#5 (permalink)
bullitt5897 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North GA Posts: 6,831 Drives: Twin Turbo Z34 Rep Power: 3682	AS others have said before... A hot knife is the only way to open the taillights cleanly unless your a master with a dremel tool... The taillights already posses LED's but if your looking to add accent lighting your best bet is to start about a 1/2" from the lens and go slow. I would look over the lens carefully everywhere you intend to cut! Make sure the taillights will be able to come apart before you cut by looking through the lens and examining the back side. Secondly, I would draw your cut line before cutting. Remember your power lines will have to go through the back of the housing so make plans for that and know where you intend to tap for power... These are just a few helpful tips before trying this... I wouldnt mind putting a DIY if I could find a cheap broken taillight somewhere or that someone would be willing to give me for a tutorial... __________________ *Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z SOLD, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054*

03-28-2013, 11:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
Wonka2581 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 3,083 Drives: MY WIFE CRAZY.... Rep Power: 2611	sub'd I gotta see this... ts-c63 likes this. __________________ "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat""Winston Churchill"

02-18-2013, 09:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
Z370Z011 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 1,052 Drives: PearlWhite 370z 6MT Rep Power: 15	I thought we weren't able to open our tail lights? Its all fused together or something like that (dont quote me on it) i THINK i remember reading something like that. But if you try it, let is know how it goes!

03-28-2013, 10:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
whyte_widow Base Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: fairfield Posts: 10 Drives: 12 370z Rep Power: 12	pretty sure the z tail lights are already led?

04-23-2013, 01:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Wonka2581 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 3,083 Drives: MY WIFE CRAZY.... Rep Power: 2611	Any updates? __________________ "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat""Winston Churchill"

02-14-2015, 05:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
Flyryde Base Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Socal Posts: 5 Drives: 92 SC400 Rep Power: 10	bullitt5897 and Zbrah like this. Last edited by Flyryde; 02-16-2015 at 02:14 PM.

02-16-2015, 02:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
Flyryde Base Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Socal Posts: 5 Drives: 92 SC400 Rep Power: 10	Not sure if I just deleted this, or I'm breaking rules and they're getting deleted by admin/mods: Check out the extra sections sliced out on the first unit I opened just to find how it was assembled inside! The 2nd one was nice and clean.

02-19-2015, 03:42 PM	#13 (permalink)
edliaszenik Base Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 184 Drives: 2012 NISMO 370Z Rep Power: 11	So what did you change??

02-19-2015, 04:02 PM	#14 (permalink)
bullitt5897 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North GA Posts: 6,831 Drives: Twin Turbo Z34 Rep Power: 3682	How well were you able to seal it back up? He painted the internals black. __________________ *Shop Cars: 2013 318whp Nismo VspecII 370z SOLD, 2009 1000hp+ 93oct 4.0L TT 370z Fast Intentions STAGE 4 #054*

02-19-2015, 04:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
Tadpole A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Lockhart, TX Posts: 1,082 Drives: 13 Nissan 370Z A7 Rep Power: 18	Looks like Mr. Fly showed you boys how to get er done. Props to you Mosca! __________________ Takeda TR3009P Short Ram Intakes, Custom Dual Exhaust, X-Piped with 18" Resonators & TopSpeed Axle Backs. EVO-R Led Third Foglight,

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