Smoked tail lights installed - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

SunDiego · 10-10-2008, 09:44 PM

Just finished installing smoked tail lights. I ordered the ones from Smart Madness. As usual their packaging was top notch, excellent service and quick shipping.

Here are some pictures,

Installation: The install process required removing the side skirts, rear panels, rear door panel and the rear latch/door it's self. It wasn't tricky until I got to the four bolts holding one the rear panel (next to the rear door, 2 on each side). These screws were extremely over torqued at the factory. I used a heat gun on each screw for roughly 10-25 minutes, depending on how bad it was. The heat gun helped a ton. Once I got the rear panel off it was a lot easier. Putting everything back on was a lot easier. Total time: 1 1/2 evenings (got dark!). If the screws weren't stuck it would have made the process WAY easier!

Quality: The "smoke/tint process" on these lights are superb. They look GREAT in person and really go better with the car. No complaints at all. Once again, Smart Madness delivers an excellent product!

Safety: I noticed a slight decrease in light output however it is NOT significant at all. I'm not worried about the slight decrease in light as it is very minimal. If you're going to comment about how I will now be rear ended - save yours and my time and don't bother

. Yes I know these are illegal too.

I'm very happy I purchased these. Thanks to Boris & Rachel from Smart Madness, they continue to deliver excellent products to the Smart community!

I will post better pictures tomorrow in the day light.

Enjoy!

P.S. I'm not affiliated with Smart Madness in one way or another.

Kermit · 10-10-2008, 10:46 PM

Looks GREAT!!!! but aren't you worried you'll get rear ended by a Mack Truck?

JUST KIDDING! They look really nice

Cruising n Coasting · 10-10-2008, 10:52 PM

Very nice!

SunDiego · 10-10-2008, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bum-bling-B

Looks GREAT!!!! but aren't you worried you'll get rear ended by a Mack Truck?

JUST KIDDING! They look really nice

Haha, nahhh

Thanks!

Turbo42 · 10-10-2008, 11:38 PM

very nice man!!! I have to do mine still. Sad part is I paint cars for a living for ford and I have still yet to smoke my tail lights. Where as all my other paint work is done interior and headlights lol

SunDiego · 10-11-2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babybenz

very nice man!!! I have to do mine still. Sad part is I paint cars for a living for ford and I have still yet to smoke my tail lights. Where as all my other paint work is done interior and headlights lol

Your painted headlights looks awesome

I need to do mine soon...

Turbo42 · 10-11-2008, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunDiego

Your painted headlights looks awesome

I need to do mine soon...

Thank you did you see the other sets I did Pingu, and wdhitch

SunDiego · 10-11-2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babybenz

Thank you did you see the other sets I did Pingu, and wdhitch

Yeah they all look great. Just gotta get the courage to do mine

Evilution · 10-11-2008, 03:57 AM

Do you not legally have to have visible red rear reflectors?
When I tinted mine I just added some aftermarket reflectors to the tow eye caps.

Fredvon4 · 10-11-2008, 06:47 AM

Kane, yes we are required to have XX# of square inches of amber and/or red on front, sides and rear....

Fortunatly (or unfortunately depending on perspective) most of the law requiring it is muddied in the Federal regulations. Each state has differing or conflicting law and just too confusing for most police to know exactly what the rules are...

So there is little or no enforcement. About the only kind of ticket you will get is a "fix it" ticket with a small fine. And most of the time if you show the correction was made then the ticket is removed and no action is done.

A lot of folks are doing the head light paint and removing the side amber reflector inside the lens assy... I bet not one ticket will ever be issued because you can look in any parking lot and see hundreds of cars with and with out the reflector inside the head light assy

Way back when I was young and not concerned with my personal safety I drove a Nissan 300zx that was totally blacked out, Limo tint...the whole car was black on black on black...never got a ticket for equipment (many for speeding) eventually sold it to a Virginia State Trooper... At the time that one had VHT brand black (semi transparent) paint on the red rear lights... real cool visual effect but at night the car was virtually invisible