Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Body/Appearance/Interior => Topic started by: oldraven on December 18, 2004, 04:17:27 PM

Title: TC header pannel mod
Post by: oldraven on December 18, 2004, 04:17:27 PM
Cougar 2 go's thread on his coach light mod reminded me of this mod I had planned ages ago, but never got around to. I don't see myself doing it any time soon, but I'd love to see it done. So any of you guys with the time on your hands, be my guest, and please post pics when you do. :)

It's a mod for putting a backlight on the T-bird emblem on TC headers.
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: servingGod on December 21, 2004, 06:43:05 PM
hey I actually did something like this about a year ago.  Same concept just used a blue neon for show, can't run on the street that way but it looks cool.  I'll go take some pics in a minute.  Nice to know I am not the only one with crazy, BUT REALLY COOL, ideas.
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: servingGod on December 21, 2004, 07:07:40 PM
(http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/servingGod/1.JPG)
(http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/servingGod/2.JPG)
(http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/servingGod/3.JPG)
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: 1986Tbird on December 21, 2004, 07:23:03 PM
THATS AWESOME!:bowdown:
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: oldraven on December 21, 2004, 08:31:16 PM
Booyah! Nice work, servingGod! The whole reason I said amber is because it's legal to have that colour on the front of the car or on the sides, as it's the same as aftermarket marker lights. There would have to be a shield to the ground though, as any form of underbody neons will get you pulled over.

So cool, though, man. I'm glad to see it actually works. :D
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: servingGod on December 21, 2004, 09:52:42 PM
Actually the blue on the ground that you see is my 7 color changing plasmaglow LED kit. 
  I built a box out of plexiglass mirror, that the neon mounts in, that fits between the header panel and the support.  Without the box light would come up through the hood and every other little crack.  My plans are to eventually put a color changing tube up there so I can have it legal for the road and whatever for show.  I like it alot, and it looks even better in person.
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: Tbird232ci on December 22, 2004, 11:03:15 AM
that is awesome....just awesome
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: Rwolf on December 22, 2004, 02:16:06 PM
Trick! +)
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: 87tbird302 on December 22, 2004, 08:08:55 PM
lookin good. It looks awesome man.
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: Bird351 on December 22, 2004, 08:13:09 PM
That looks awesome. Just wish I could find a way to do that to a T-bird emblem that isn't on the nose of a TC.
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: servingGod on December 22, 2004, 08:44:40 PM
are you thinking like on the side emblems?
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: Cougars 2 go on December 22, 2004, 08:54:12 PM
You guys rule. :headbang:
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: Bird351 on December 22, 2004, 09:02:50 PM
Quote from: servingGod
are you thinking like on the side emblems?


I'm thinking of modifying the grille on my '86 and making a floating Bird emblem in the center of it, and that's something I wouldn't mind making glow like that.
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: slamedcat on December 22, 2004, 09:10:43 PM
I had a TC hood on my 3.8 bird and put a red neon between the hood scoops. It would glow red out the scoops. I got alot of compliments on that.
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: oldraven on December 22, 2004, 09:34:49 PM
Quote from: Cougars 2 go
You guys rule. :headbang:


W00T! :ies:

(here's me taking credit for something I thought of after someone else did it first :p )
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: servingGod on December 23, 2004, 12:12:42 AM
Quote from: oldraven

(here's me taking credit for something I thought of after someone else did it first :p )


Just goes to show great minds think alike
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: servingGod on December 23, 2004, 12:33:22 AM
Quote from: Bird351
I'm thinking of modifying the grille on my '86 and making a floating Bird emblem in the center of it, and that's something I wouldn't mind making glow like that.


What about cuting a piece of electroluminescent sheet about 1/8" larger than the emblem, or whatever thickness you want to see.  Then cutting a piece of lexan to the same size and mount the electroluminescent sheet to the lexan to make the electroluminescent sheet more rigid.  And mount the emblem to that.

This shows one type of el sheet and how it can be cut however you want.  I have never used this stuff but plan to sometime as it has lots of possabilities.
http://www.beingseen.com/sheets.html (http://www.beingseen.com/sheets.html)
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: servingGod on December 23, 2004, 01:22:51 AM
The other option that comes to mind would be to cut a piece of frosted lexan 1/8" larger than the emblem perimeter (or larger) and light it using leds mounted somewhere behind the emblem, so they are not seen.  This should be fairly easy using 3mm leds and the frosted lexan.  You may choose to paint the back of the lexan so no light would shine out the back.  Or use a piece of plexi mirror and frost it.  This already has an opaque back side and the mirror would help focus all the light where you want it.  This all makes since in my head but I am sure it may be confusing to try and follow what I have typed.
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: servingGod on December 23, 2004, 02:57:04 AM
This is something I just did real quick to show what I meant by the 3mm leds and a piece of lexan.  I used 3mm white leds, and a piece of 1/4" plexi I had laying around.  I drilled into the inner circle using a .125" drill bit.  Then I frosted the plexi real quick just using 120grit on my random orbit sander.  Not a quality piece, it just shows what I meant.  Also I only put leds in half of the ring, since this was just for example.   

(http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/servingGod/ring1.JPG)

(http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/servingGod/ring2.JPG)

(http://natomessageboard.com/uploads/servingGod/ring3.JPG)
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: lowcat on December 23, 2004, 08:34:15 AM
Where did you get the lexan at?
Title: Re: TC header pannel mod
Post by: Tbird232ci on December 23, 2004, 10:24:53 AM
you can go to most hobby shops and they have some, especially ones who sell r/c cars