DIY: interior tailgate light LED mod

[stickrod]

I get into the back of my X in a very dark garage. I always felt the OEM lights were less than adequate. Furthermore one of my tailgate light lens had cracked. This just gave me another reason to use my dremel...

BMW p/n: 63 31 6 962 044 - $9.62
LED bulbs: WLED-CWHPG-D - $11.95 ea. (yes, I know, extraordinarily expensive)





OEM light assembly:



Snip the internal heat shield:


Next I had to trim the sides of the lens to fit the larger diameter led array:




Here I have outlined the cuts in blue:




I lined the top reflector with felt tape. Although the reflector would no longer be needed I liked having it installed for added protection:




Close up:




Installed. Far light is the LED. I selected the cool 7000k temp LEDs. I'm wondering if I would have been happier with the warmer color temp. I guess it doesn't really matter as they are much brighter than OEM and serve their purpose.



This picture does not depict the intensity of the light very well. They are bright:




Thanks for sitting through all my pics.

Cost considered I'm happy with the additional output.

[NYCSterling]

noice.. more pics of the garage? looks like there is a place for everything.. I am now getting mine in order..

[Naz24]

very nice, should be added to the DIY section

[papasmurf]

I did something similar, except I used one of these de-cased:



I also used those in my license plate lights. They are really bright.

[Rockmelon]

what are the details to look out for to make sure that the LEDs will be compatible with OEM sockets?

[PersonaNonGrata]

Nice little mod.