3D Printing ‘78 Taillight Backing Plates

[Pre10der]

OK, it's been some time whilst I waited for the bits to arrive, but here is the result. I am using LED globes with the approproate holders. I designed rails into the backing plate so that they clip in...and rather permanently it would seem.







Pretty happy with the result!

Ian

[Terry]

Hi,

they look very good, are you taking orders?

Terry

[Halfpint]

Great job Ian, that looks tops 😎

[Canadian Moke]

Hi,

they look very good, are you taking orders?

Terry

Yes.  Are you taking orders?  I could definitely use a pair of those!

Tim.

[Sharks]

+1. If you're making these available we'd also be interested. That's amazing

[OCK66K]

Count me interested too - I'd much rather keep the original look than go to trailer LEDs

[Pete Power]

Very Clever, looks awesome, when are you staring on the Lens?? LOL

[Maddog]

Hi Ian,

That is absolutely brilliant - reproducing old parts with new tech, and making them better.

Well done!

MD.

[lindsay]

I am also interested in a set of taillight backing plates with led  fittings. please keep us posted.
.

[Sharks]

Inspired by Pre10der's initiative, I decided I'd try my hand at making up my own model.

I don't have direct access to a 3D printer, so I haven't yet got to see how close it matches to the original. Considering that an embarrassing amount of it was drawn by eye, I somehow doubt the first print will be perfect. Regardless, this is what I've managed to come up with, and I reckon it's not too shabby for a first try

[Pre10der]

Nice one Sharks. It took about 5 or six prints and adjustments To my model before I got something that I was happy with.

For those that have asked if I can print some, I apologise for the delayed response. My hesitation has been due to not being sure how to best go about it. I only have the ability to print in PLA+ at the moment as ABS plastic is tricky to work with...and emits fumes that is care not to breathe. My Moke stays indoors, so that is no issue for me, but if you wanted something that could take harsh UV from the sun year after year, then I’m not sure how long they would last. Perhaps a few years, maybe more. In my use case, PLA+ is more than adequate.

So, I think what I can do is print a pair for those that want them under the assumption that they are no British Leyland product. I can provide the printed backing plate, and you can source the globe holders (I’ll provide the details of what to get), bolts, screws and whatever globes tickle your fancy.

It won’t be a quick turnaround either As each plate is about a 9hr print, but I would love to help fellow mokers where I am able.

[Sharks]

Thanks, Pre10der. Very nice of you to produce for those who'd like them, too.

We're toying with the idea of big 10W LEDs that are a significantly different form factor to what you're using. They'll probably need some sort of aluminium heat plate behind them to keep them cool, all of which I'll have to allow for in my model.

If I ever get ahold of enough printing time to work out the kinks, I'll finalise this and make the file available for those who would like to print it themselves.

As Pete said, next job is working out a way of reproducing the lens
Might be a bit past my skill set.

[Pre10der]

Yes, the lens would be great as well. Interestingly enough, I have two sets of lenses. One set is the original Hella lenses. These aren’t in very good shape. The set i have fitted seem to be an aftermarket repro. as they are not stamped as Hella, but look identical.

The globes I have fitted may look small, but they are super bright and supposedly rated at 10W. Whether there is truth to that or not I’m not sure (got them on AliExpress), but they really are bright. I am however not too sure on the longevity I will get out of them. Time will tell.

What globe holders are you considering? The original ones in my lights were too corroded for my liking.

[Sharks]

We were considering the big, square, flat LEDs. They usually mount with a 3mm screw on each corner.

As they'll produce a lot of heat, we were going to mount them to some aluminium on the inside of the backing plate and add some trickery to draw the heat out. We'll also need to mount the LED drivers somewhere. Likely we'll just slap them in somewhere last thing.

We've got three lenses total. Two are original and in great nick, especially considering they sat outside for 25 years.
One is a bit of an oddball. It looks like it was entirely amber at one point and the top half was painted red from the inside. Unfortunately the red has begun to flake off. It might be salvageable, but we'll just use the good ones for now.

I was not aware aftermarket Moke lenses were ever produced. Were yours perhaps intended for the Holden Ute?

[Pre10der]

I believe the HQ One Tonner lens and the Moke lens are the same. I just find it odd that one of the pairs I have is not stamped with any Hella branding. The slot that the metal shield slideS into is also not as clean as the original Hella lenses so that is what leads me to believe it’s a reproduction....