Kia Rear Light conversion

[Gee0]

Hi

I have managed to source a set of KIA rear lights

The set include Main light barcket, Main lights, reversing light barcket and light for each side.

Pic shows one side.

I an struggiling with the reversing / fog light and numberplate configuration.
I think I will have to get a holder/plinth made up to house these.

Any suggestions will help lots

Thanks

[Doug]

have you searched for threads on this?

enough people have done this conversion that I'm sure you can get all kinds of help/tips/advice

no help from me though . . .

[Gee0]

Ya I have done a search without much help (which supprised me )

Thanks for your reply Doug

[Gee0]

Just realised that I am missing 1 or 3 items to make this work

2 x reversing light covers
1 x Numberplate holder


The Pic is of one side of the reversing lights covers.

Any Ideas?

I have just niticed that it must be 3 items as the 2 sides of the reversing lights are in the pic and not the numberplate holder.

[paulrwebster]

Ratman fitted Kia lights and fitted reversing/fog lights behind his rear grill. Have a search for his thread.

[paulrwebster]

Here you go.

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/v ... 1444e46638

[Gee0]

mmm Interesting I like the look of that

Is that numberplate plinth the same as UK spec car?

[GeoffSmith]

I think the thread on Stripey got dumped, but you could ask Sy.

[Paul.P]

Is that numberplate plinth the same as UK spec car?

That is a Uk spec number plate plinth, the Kia elan didn't have one, i changed one of the original Kia reversing lights into a fog light by dying the lense red, came out ok, & the reversing lights have there own mounting brkts.

[Gee0]

Thats deffo the look Im after Paul.

Im missing the covers for the reversing lights. I have the brackets.

SO the numberplate is attached directly onto the fibreglass on the rear, covering the fixings of the reversing light covers.

Did you paint/spray the covers black to match the bodywork?

Im thinking if I can get hold of the covers I might spray them Silk Red to match in with the rest of the car rather than leaving them gray/black

Any thoughts?

[Sy V]

So, I take it the covers in your 17:09 post are not yours?

If this is the case (and your source can't help with their supply) I think you may have a shroud manufacturing job ahead of you.

I think I have an old UK number plate plinth if you need it, Gerry.

Appart from the fact that I extended my VRN plate into the recess in the reversing light covers, my set-up's identical to Paul's, which is not surprising, as I copied his ideas!

[Gee0]

So, I take it the covers in your 17:09 post are not yours?

Yip just identifying which items I needed.

I have just heard back from my source that these are unavailable.

Not sure where to go now.

Ratmans car looks good but not the look I was after.

Not sure if I have the aptitude the manufacture a shroud for these.

Any ideas guys?

[Sy V]

I would try here matey:

http://www.option1sportscars.co.uk/

[Gee0]

[quote="Sy V"]I think I have an old UK number plate plinth if you need it,[quote]

Yes please Sy

I think I have a plan

Thanks to Sy I will have 2 numberplate plinths.

Cut one down the middle, and add in the required amount from the other so that the plinth is butted up to the main lights (NO gaps)
Spray the plinth in silk red!! (Im sure someone that can get their head round photoshop will have a go )

The number plate should cover the scars

Im thinking this is just a matter of some plastic welding (sounds so simple )

Then is a mater of sorting out the fog and reversing lights as per Ratmans car.

The idea is showen very crudly on Ratmans car

SORRY Ratman for using your car a an illistration the only one I could find with the Kia lights and numberplate plinth.

ANY thoughts.

Gee0

[GeoffSmith]

Don't know if you'll get away with your rear foglight being there in the UK Gerry.

[Gee0]

I thought the law stated the requirement of a rearward facing red light

which this is.

Someone with more knowledge way me able to enlighten us.

[GeoffSmith]

Stand by for Pinkster.........

[dapinky]

Hang on - I'll be there in a bit......

I can't remember the exact specs of the top of my head (I'm not quite a perfect memory, and don't want to give incorrect info which might drop you in the mire!)

Give me a chance and i'll have an answer in a while!

[GeoffSmith]

Stand by for Pinkster.........

As if by magic!

[dapinky]

Okay then, I've looked it up (and it's a good job I did, because i would have got one of the distances wrong from just my memory )

The legislation you need is Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations, 1989.

Schedule 1 states that you need a Rear Fog Lamp (or 2 if you prefer!) on a car of the age of Elan (that's not good English ) ie first reg after 01/04/80.

Schedule 11, Part 1 tells you how it needs to be fitted.

I'm not going to re-write it in full, because you can view the original by clicking here, but the basics are that:-


It needs to be red!

It has to face the rear (between a given set of angles)

It needs to be between the centre line of the car and the right hand side.

It should be fitted between 250mm and 1000mm from the ground.

It has to be at least 100mm from the brake lights.

There has to be a 'tell-tale' warning light for the driver.

The important ones from a legal and aestetic point of view is the height above the ground, and distance from the brake lamps - there must be a variety of ways to do it, but I'll leave it to you to decide how you want your own car to look!