Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Cutting and buffing is very labor intensive but really rewarding to do... looks great.

akara wrote: Fri Apr 28, 2023 8:04 pm
Some LEDs are worse or the same than the incandescent and are a ripoff, but I found a good "projector" style LED lamp that favours the Roadster taillight housing design and gives a MUCH MUCH brighter light. (the bulb on the right)

Here is the Roadster brake light with a 25W incandescent bulb.

93-2.jpg

Here is the Roadster Brake light output with just the LED upgrade, same distance away.

93-3.jpg

So which of the LED bulbs did you choose that gave you the output in your photo?

The best I found were these:
https://www.mifmia.com/products/mifmia- ... -pack-of-2
I hadnt posted the link because I have not tested their longevity yet, and it seems like they went out of stock on amazon so not sure they are still in stock.
A close second was this one: https://www.amazon.com/Phinlion-Lumens- ... B08311CT3G
It came in 2nd place because it was more expensive, and I didn't like how bright the tail light was compared to the brake light. It's still a good upgrade in brightness.
The other two LEDs from Auxbeam and Auxito were junk, and got returned. dim and little difference btween brake and tail light on those.

Fixed the underdash regulator with a more modern solution..8.5Vdc linear regulator, that is the voltage average I measured my original one outputting....when it worked.
Koito H4 e-code headlight housings with a proper beam cutoff shape.
The original DOT roadster sealed beam light pattern literally looks like a flashlight...and it would blind people if made any brighter than 35W
With the proper cutoff of the Koito H4 housing, a brighter 55w HID light can be fitted without blinding others, and greatly increasing visibility.
The front of the Koito H4 housing lense is flat, I liked that they are the original brand to the car but Hella H4 housings are curved and would look better.
Make sure to fit this new grommet and cable as well as a new windshield washer fluid hose before fitting the heater
Heater and subwoofer fitting.
Dash is back in!
Evidence of previous crash damage...ouch! looking a little collapsed.
speaker fitted to the uh..."original" location! I even used the original speaker bracket mounting locations on the firewall to secure it.
It's a 10" GRS-HE subwoofer in a .45cuft enclosure and will play as low as 40hz
rolled on a little more sound deadening on the wheelwell...made some patch panels for the 6x9 gashes in the rear
designed and 3d printed in ABS these speaker enclosures that will fit the roadsters factory quarter panel location, They are for a 3" full range Dayton speaker and will play highs and midbass down to 80hz or so

Amazing work!, it's going to be gorgeous. I have a 1967 and will need to swap out the bulb holder assy on the tail lights as mine use the early style rubber bulb holder (which are deteriorating) I see from your LED bulb photo that you tracked down new twist in style plastic bulb holders / pigtails. Would it be possible to get a part number for that? Thanks

Oh man, very impressive! I'm especially interested and really appreciate your info on the lights and lighting. The white paint vs. reflective is a really interesting tip.

And the speaker mounts, would you consider selling a set, I've thought about a sound system and had been leaning toward just carrying a nice bluetooth speaker. But your idea is much cooler and isn't butchering anything. I'm excited to see how you like them.

Keep it up! You're doing your dad proud!

Ya man, do you sleep? Sleepless in Seattle indeed... awesome work.

Thanks for the feedback guys, helps to know im not screaming into the void.
light sockets were just off ebay, part number HP3955, all i had to do was desolder the original bullet connector ends and solder them back on the new socket.
I can definitely make more of the speaker pods for the quarter panel if others are interested!
I cant believe its been 6 months already since I started working on this thing, I am ready to drive it! Helps that I can work on it in the comfort of my own garage little by little.
Its tough to look at the state of the engine bay with everything else so nice, but I'm going to spend the summer driving the car and then maybe over next winter I will do the engine bay, or maybe build an engine first. I'm going to try to work extra hard on it to get it driving this month.

I love the 3D speaker pod Idea. I may have to modify my rear speakers after seeing that. I have multiple other 3D printed parts in my car. It is quite a handy tool!

akara wrote: Tue May 09, 2023 4:36 pm Thanks for the feedback guys, helps to know im not screaming into the void.
light sockets were just off ebay, part number HP3955, all i had to do was desolder the original bullet connector ends and solder them back on the new socket.
I can definitely make more of the speaker pods for the quarter panel if others are interested!
I cant believe its been 6 months already since I started working on this thing, I am ready to drive it! Helps that I can work on it in the comfort of my own garage little by little.
Its tough to look at the state of the engine bay with everything else so nice, but I'm going to spend the summer driving the car and then maybe over next winter I will do the engine bay, or maybe build an engine first. I'm going to try to work extra hard on it to get it driving this month.

I would love to get those speaker pods if you decide to make more!

I have tested the speakers in the car and I am quite happy with them. Pretty impressive what a 3" speaker can do. Doesnt require any fancy crossover components for full sound. Dont expect any huge thumping bass like a pair of big wattage 6x9, but bass guitar down to 80hz sounds good.

I'd be happy to make a set for anyone who is interested, I was thinking
20$ for each pod
10$ for grill set of 2
20$ each speaker driver. or buy it yourself at https://www.parts-express.com/Dayton-Au ... hm-295-587
10$ shipping

If you're interested send me a PM with your address, paypal me or send cash or whatever you like.
Here's an example of install.
install pod, connect wires
cut hole in fibre panel, wrap vinyl around edge and glue for best result.
clip in grill
refit panel

akara wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 3:31 pm I have tested the speakers in the car and I am quite happy with them. Pretty impressive what a 3" speaker can do. Doesnt require any fancy crossover components for full sound. Dont expect any huge thumping bass like a pair of big wattage 6x9, but bass guitar down to 80hz sounds good.

That's great to hear and see. And I'll be ordering in a couple of months when I'm closer to visiting my car...

One question – is there a reason you chose that middle hole rather than the upper hole?

Looks like a great solution.

Nice work.
pm

I chose the middle hole because it has the most depth available. The bigger the speaker chamber the better the bass. I also thought it would be a little bit more subtle having the speakers down lower out of sight, I didn't want the car to look like it had a sound system.

That being said I can make a shorter speaker pod that would fit the top hole, but it wouldn't sound as good.

akara wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 4:21 pm I chose the middle hole because it has the most depth available. The bigger the speaker chamber the better the bass. I also thought it would be a little bit more subtle having the speakers down lower out of sight, I didn't want the car to look like it had a sound system.

That being said I can make a shorter speaker pod that would fit the top hole, but it wouldn't sound as good.

Not for me. Your reasoning is perfectly sound.

iloveredmeat wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 6:38 pm

akara wrote: Thu May 11, 2023 4:21 pm I chose the middle hole because it has the most depth available. The bigger the speaker chamber the better the bass. I also thought it would be a little bit more subtle having the speakers down lower out of sight, I didn't want the car to look like it had a sound system.

That being said I can make a shorter speaker pod that would fit the top hole, but it wouldn't sound as good.

Not for me. Your reasoning is perfectly sound.

To clarify: I meant that I wouldn't want a shorter speaker pod... I want it exactly how you did it because your reasoning makes perfect sense. That's what I'll be getting when the time is here.

I also pm'd you Akara. Thanks, Peter