Side Reflectors?

[MerlintheMad]

It would be cool to extend the tail lights down the side if we could get it to match the look. I’m genuinely curious to try, I might order a couple of OEM markers and mess around with adding a led strip.

In spite of legality questions, why wouldn't someone create an aftermarket replacement that does exactly that? An aftermarket part would have to be hollowed out to take the thin LED strip.

On legalities: the side markers are not visible from the front at all (any angle inside of standing directly in front of the side mirrors hides the side markers, because of the Stingers wide "hips"), so don't worry about "dead center". The little side lit portion is just forward of the rear angled "tail" of the side marker. Making this lit portion extend the entire length shouldn't change anything legally speaking. But it would require something very thin.

 

[YOWStinger]

either as a part of the tail lamps or separately, two red reflectors

No person shall drive or move any vehicle or equipment upon any highway with any lamp or device thereon displaying a red light visible from directly in front of the center thereof.

Whew, thankfully we're good here. Reflectors are still part of the tail lamps and the lights which are already a part of the side markers are not visible when standing directly in front of the center thereof.

Thanks for confirming @Doel that this does seem to be pretty legal, or at least would be a real stretch for someone to make a legal deal of it. There are definitely way more people on this forum that are deleting their cats where is pretty unequivocally illegal. I bet some people on the forum even speed! Maybe even squeal their tires a little bit while checking out their new Eibach sway bars.

 

[YOWStinger]

caveat emptor, modify your car and make the decision for yourself whether you're willing to take responsibility for your own actions.

 

[Doel]

Whew, thankfully we're good here. Reflectors are still part of the tail lamps and the lights which are already a part of the side markers are not visible when standing directly in front of the center thereof.

Thanks for confirming @Doel that this does seem to be pretty legal, or at least would be a real stretch for someone to make a legal deal of it. There are definitely way more people on this forum that are deleting their cats where is pretty unequivocally illegal. I bet some people on the forum even speed! Maybe even squeal their tires a little bit while checking out their new Eibach sway bars.

I'm just very cautious about tampering with "Safety" features, especially when it's something that could cause litigation. Getting a fix it ticket for a gutted cat isn't a big deal. Someone running into your car because your reflectors aren't there or don't meet code is a very big deal. Guess what happens if they get injured, or worse, someone dies? You'll be found at fault for that and at best in the hole for a considerable sum and at worst possibly jail time.

 

[MrSmoofy]

First I've heard LEO's were always up to date on their law education.

 

[MrSmoofy]

I'm just very cautious about tampering with "Safety" features, especially when it's something that could cause litigation. Getting a fix it ticket for a gutted cat isn't a big deal. Someone running into your car because your reflectors aren't there or don't meet code is a very big deal. Guess what happens if they get injured, or worse, someone dies? You'll be found at fault for that and at best in the hole for a considerable sum and at worst possibly jail time.

This could be said about any mod's to the car you better make sure you leave your's stock so you don't go to jail

 

[Doel]

This could be said about any mod's to the car you better make sure you leave your's stock so you don't go to jail

Well that's just not true. Most mods we would do are completely legal. Most illegal mods wouldn't cause litigation, just fines. Modifications to safety equipment is where it gets dangerous, I would hate for someone to get charged with vehicular manslaughter or sued for 6 figures just because they wanted their side reflectors to light up.

 

[YOWStinger]

Someone running into your car because your reflectors aren't there or don't meet code is a very big deal.

I fully agree, let's run a LED strip behind the whole thing to improve our visibility and avoid potential future accidents, think of it as PPF but for the ass end of your car.

 

[YOWStinger]

I also happen to think these look cool on a black car, you should reach out to these sites to let them know:
Tail Light Side Reflector Smoke Tint/Gloss Black | 2018+ Kia Stinger
2018+ Stinger Rear Side Marker Carbon Fiber Decal Kit
Side Reflector Overlays Precut Tint (Stinger 2018)
Rear Side Markers SMOKE Overlay PreCut Vinyl Kit Fits For 2018 2019 KIA STINGER | eBay

 

[Doel]

I fully agree, let's run a LED strip behind the whole thing to improve our visibility and avoid potential future accidents, think of it as PPF but for the ass end of your car.

if possible that could work, I'm just a bit skeptical there's enough room in there to fit one, and if there is if enough light will pass through the reflector to even be worth it. I'm thinking maybe there's a way to get light to shine down the piece from the corner?

 

[Doel]

I also happen to think these look cool on a black car, you should reach out to these sites to let them know:
Tail Light Side Reflector Smoke Tint/Gloss Black | 2018+ Kia Stinger
2018+ Stinger Rear Side Marker Carbon Fiber Decal Kit
Side Reflector Overlays Precut Tint (Stinger 2018)
Rear Side Markers SMOKE Overlay PreCut Vinyl Kit Fits For 2018 2019 KIA STINGER | eBay

oh they know
Some colors may be intended for "off road use" or "Show" only

Please check with your local law enforcement for laws and regulations

that gets them off the hook and leaves the buyer on the hook for any accidents

 

[MrSmoofy]

Well that's just not true. Most mods we would do are completely legal. Most illegal mods wouldn't cause litigation, just fines. Modifications to safety equipment is where it gets dangerous, I would hate for someone to get charged with vehicular manslaughter or sued for 6 figures just because they wanted their side reflectors to light up.

Legal or not a lawyers will use it against you to find you at fault. You use a JB4 to make the car have more HP then it was designed for. This caused you to drive recklessly on public streets. Lawyers will use everything against you.

 

[YOWStinger]

oh they know
Some colors may be intended for "off road use" or "Show" only

Please check with your local law enforcement for laws and regulations

that gets them off the hook and leaves the buyer on the hook for any accidents

Thankfully we're still making the same points here, which is basically, don't f*ck with your car, unless you want to, in which case you're a grown adult, take responsibility for your actions. Seriously though, no one is suggesting deleting the ABS from their cars, removing their seatbelts, disabling lights, etc.

But back to the topic on hand, I'm going to see if I can pick up a couple of these corner markers and see if I can do a light pass over my router to create a slot for the LED strip, then just need to match the input voltage of the stock light to the LED strip. I also bet that the colour of the strip may be a little different than the stock tail lights.

 

[MrSmoofy]

Thankfully we're still making the same points here, which is basically, don't f*ck with your car, unless you want to, in which case you're a grown adult, take responsibility for your actions. Seriously though, no one is suggesting deleting the ABS from their cars, removing their seatbelts, disabling lights, etc.

But back to the topic on hand, I'm going to see if I can pick up a couple of these corner markers and see if I can do a light pass over my router to create a slot for the LED strip, then just need to match the input voltage of the stock light to the LED strip. I also bet that the colour of the strip may be a little different than the stock tail lights.

View attachment 24860

I can 100% assure you the LED strip will be a different color then the tail lights if you try to use a colored LED. If you use white LED and then it should be the same but then you have to worry about the color temperature of your white LEDs, that's assuming the tail lights are white LED behind red plastic. The other issue will be brightness the side markers could be brighter or dimmer than the tail light.

 

[YOWStinger]

I can 100% assure you the LED strip will be a different color then the tail lights if you try to use a colored LED. If you use white LED and then it should be the same but then you have to worry about the color temperature of your white LEDs, that's assuming the tail lights are white LED behind red plastic. The other issue will be brightness the side markers could be brighter or dimmer than the tail light.

Yeah, I think all of that can be addressed, there are a lot of options for LED strips in varying temperatures out there. Throw a couple of resistors on there and we can play with the brightness. The key would be the connector and the slot. Additionally, the stock reflector provides a "window" for the light in the corner, so that's going to look different too without manufacturing a new reflector entirely.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Yeah, I think all of that can be addressed, there are a lot of options for LED strips in varying temperatures out there. Throw a couple of resistors on there and we can play with the brightness. The key would be the connector and the slot. Additionally, the stock reflector provides a "window" for the light in the corner, so that's going to look different too without manufacturing a new reflector entirely.

Couldn't the light be replaced entirely with the LED strip? No reason to keep the little side light.

 

[YOWStinger]

Couldn't the light be replaced entirely with the LED strip? No reason to keep the little side light.

Oh yeah, absolutely, I'd use that power for the LED and pull the bulb out. I don't want to cut those wires though and screw up the harness

 

[BC00]

Anyone seen new side LEDs? Your opinions guys?

2018+ Stinger LED Side Reflectors

Established in 1999, Shark Racing is the No. 1 source of parts and accessories for Korean cars.

sharkracing.com

 

[Snicklefritz]

Anyone seen new side LEDs? Your opinions guys?

2018+ Stinger LED Side Reflectors

Established in 1999, Shark Racing is the No. 1 source of parts and accessories for Korean cars.

sharkracing.com

This is literally a stick on. It sticks out. If it were a replacement that was flush like the side reflector I would like it.

 

[jdmvette]

Those look terrible because they stick way too far out like warts.

I too wouldn't mind trying an integrated led strip in a stock-sized reflector housing if it was done correctly