Aftermarket Tail Lamps?

16554 Views 20 Replies 11 Participants Last post by James.np, 15 d ago

DeletePhoto

Discussion Starter · Oct 21, 2016

I finally got bored with my modified touring and I now feel the need to make another customization.

grin

They have three really nice sets of aftermarket options to choose from, I was wondering out of the three which seems to be the better option?

I've been down the aftermarket way before so I have no problem with these as my headlights function better than my OEM set that I had. However, there can be problems with these that I am unaware of and the last thing I want is to be rear ended from having break lights that don't function properly. Also are these completely plug and play or would re-wiring be neccessary? Lastly, is this worth it?

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my95tsi

· #2 · Oct 21, 2016

The first set is best IMO. I've seen the 2nd and 3rd sets before and they are nothing unique. They look too similar to the new Kia and Hyundai lights. All should be plug and play, if they aren't then I would run away. The first set fits the flow of the car better.

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RightYouAreKen

· #3 · Oct 21, 2016

my95tsi said:
The first set is best IMO. I've seen the 2nd and 3rd sets before and they are nothing unique. They look too similar to the new Kia and Hyundai lights. All should be plug and play, if they aren't then I would run away. The first set fits the flow of the car better.

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I agree. The first set looks like the tail lights on the 2016 GT models. I like them a lot.

flyandi

· #4 · Oct 21, 2016

I am trying to find the first set

flyandi

· #5 · Oct 21, 2016

Only one I found is $600+ 2pcs Car LED Tail Fog Lights Rear Brake Stop Lamp DRL For Mazda6 Atenza 2015 | eBay

TitaniumVT

· #6 · Oct 21, 2016 (Edited)

DeletePhoto, for some reason I thought you had a 2016 model. All of the 2016s have LED tail lamps as standard equipment. I agree that the first ones (2016 replicas) are by far the best option. The one notable advantage with LED tail lamps is that the brake lights get to full brightness nearly a half second faster than incandescent bulbs. Might not sound like a big difference, but it's definitely noticeable in a side by side comparison and may buy just enough reaction time for the person behind you to avoid rear ending you. Visit an auto parts store in your area to see if they have any manufacturer displays that show a side by side comparison of LED vs. halogen tail light bulbs. My local Schucks/O'Reilly's has one from Slyvania (I think), and you can get an excellent feel for the light up time lag between halogen and LED.

The downside risk with an aftermarket modification like this is that if it fails (and the other party can prove your car was modified), you might be held liable for causing an accident. One thing you might look into is whether you could buy original Mazda tail lights instead (or looking for used ones on Ebay). They may be comparably priced to the aftermarket options you're considering, and you'd have the comfort of having more confidence in the build quality. The thing I'm not sure about is whether the wiring harness and/or connectors changed between 2014/15 and 2016

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my95tsi

· #7 · Oct 21, 2016

2014's and 2015's also have LED brake lights. Only difference is that that have incandescent marker lights.

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Kirby34

· #8 · Oct 22, 2016

TitaniumVT said:
DeletePhoto, for some reason I thought you had a 2016 model. All of the 2016s have LED tail lamps as standard equipment. I agree that the first ones (2016 replicas) are by far the best option. The one notable advantage with LED tail lamps is that the brake lights get to full brightness nearly a half second faster than incandescent bulbs. Might not sound like a big difference, but it's definitely noticeable in a side by side comparison and may buy just enough reaction time for the person behind you to avoid rear ending you. Visit an auto parts store in your area to see if they have any manufacturer displays that show a side by side comparison of LED vs. halogen tail light bulbs. My local Schucks/O'Reilly's has one from Slyvania (I think), and you can get an excellent feel for the light up time lag between halogen and LED.

The downside risk with an aftermarket modification like this is that if it fails (and the other party can prove your car was modified), you might be held liable for causing an accident. One thing you might look into is whether you could buy original Mazda tail lights instead (or looking for used ones on Ebay). They may be comparably priced to the aftermarket options you're considering, and you'd have the comfort of having more confidence in the build quality. The thing I'm not sure about is whether the wiring harness and/or connectors changed between 2014/15 and 2016

That slight time difference to full brightness between LED and incandescent was something I didn't think about when I installed aftermarket LED tails on my '05 3 hatchback. I noticed the "lag" right after installation when I had someone step on the brake while I was behind the car. I immediately ordered an LED 3rd brake light. At least everything was plug-and-play. I eventually opened up the tail lights to add a reflectors on the sides to at least make them something close to legal.

flyandi

· #9 · Oct 22, 2016

Only 2016 GT's and Tourings with Tech Package with face lift have the new tail lights.. I have a 2016 Touring and have the same lights as the 15's. But they are full LED.

DeletePhoto

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 22, 2016

Yea so I'm going to have to go with the first option as it seems more OEM. Also I do have a 2016 touring but it did not come with LED tail lights. Only problem with this is wondering wether or not these need rewiring now Im not sure but I think the tail light connectors should all be the same - (all trims)

An old picture before my headlight swap but yea those are my current tail lights.

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TitaniumVT

· #11 · Oct 23, 2016

The OEM design looks so much better, IMO. Another option if you want to keep the OEM look and upgrade to LED would be to just switch the bulbs in your stock housings to LED.

Donkey Grundle

· #12 · Oct 25, 2016

TitaniumVT said:
The OEM design looks so much better, IMO. Another option if you want to keep the OEM look and upgrade to LED would be to just switch the bulbs in your stock housings to LED.

I did that and there is really no difference between the LED and OE bulbs. I even tried the blade style LEDs to push the light further down the channel, but still no improvement.

Roger Wilco

· #13 · Jan 16, 2017

TitaniumVT said:
The OEM design looks so much better, IMO. Another option if you want to keep the OEM look and upgrade to LED would be to just switch the bulbs in your stock housings to LED.

Donkey Grundle said:
I did that and there is really no difference between the LED and OE bulbs. I even tried the blade style LEDs to push the light further down the channel, but still no improvement.

(thread revival, as part of search here) - Q: what bulbs did you try and has anyone come across any that work well?

my95tsi

· #14 · Jan 17, 2017

Roger Wilco said:
(thread revival, as part of search here) - Q: what bulbs did you try and has anyone come across any that work well?

Read up

http://forum.mazda6club.com/showthread.php?t=405234

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atenza15

· #15 · Jan 17, 2017

Has anyone tried these on a 2015 non GT?
TYC NSF Left Side LED Lid Tail Light Assy for Mazda 6 2016-2017 Models | eBay
This is only for the inner pieces, but it would save us some cash vs doing the full replacement.
I think that it would look ok even with the standard tail light.
TYC has a good reputation, but I don't know if the connectors would match.

TitaniumVT

· #16 · Jan 17, 2017

atenza15 said:
Has anyone tried these on a 2015 non GT?
TYC NSF Left Side LED Lid Tail Light Assy for Mazda 6 2016-2017 Models | eBay
This is only for the inner pieces, but it would save us some cash vs doing the full replacement.
I think that it would look ok even with the standard tail light.
TYC has a good reputation, but I don't know if the connectors would match.

I doubt the connectors are the same. And think there may be an issue with hyper flashing as the non-GT wiring harness expects more electrical load from the bulbs.

Shinde

· #17 · Jan 19, 2017 (Edited)

TitaniumVT said:
I doubt the connectors are the same. And think there may be an issue with hyper flashing as the non-GT wiring harness expects more electrical load from the bulbs.

I thought the hyper-flashing only applied to turn signal lights? As far as I know, the '16-'17 GT outer taillights use an incandescent light bulb for signals like the Sport/Touring lights.

As for connectors, I'd figure the only difference would be in the LED running lights and possibly sidemarkers, as those both are also incandescent bulbs in the Sport/Touring taillights for all years (and ALL '14-'15 models). That's purely speculation, though; take it with a grain of salt. I really hope the connectors do match, though!

EDIT: Doing a little more research, it *LOOKS* like the connectors are the same on the INNER taillights, but I can't say 100% from the pictures.

'16-'17 GT inner taillight from @atenza15's post:

'14-15 (all models) inner taillight from eBay:

-----

Looking at the pictures for the outer lights, however, it seems that there's no socket for the sidemarker lamps on the '16-'17 GT lights (I think they're LED on the '16-'17 GT lights), so it's possible that some rewiring is needed. Again, the pictures aren't 100% clear on that. Here are the related eBay links for your perusal:

'16-'17 GT outer taillight. Notice that there are two gray sockets here. I don't know if there's a third socket, as I can't zoom in.

'14-'15 (all models) outer taillight. There are three sockets in the back: one for the turn signal, one for the brakes, and one for the sidemarker.

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atenza15

· #18 · Jan 20, 2017

I agree with your comments. The inner housing lights up with the parking light and the low beams, no hyperflashing. If there is a "bulb out" indication it might require a resistor (unconfirmed...). It gives me some hope to see that the connectors are similar. I think that replacing the inner lights ONLY would still look good with the non GT outer lights.

flyandi

· #19 · Jan 20, 2017

I am sceptic about that a bit. The tail line goes across the outer ones and it will look like a cut off line if u only use the inner. But than again .. let's see

DeletePhoto

Discussion Starter · #20 · May 10, 2017

Finally got around to buying a pair. I actually bought these, personally (IMHO) I think these are really nice I feel it has much more of an Audi or Maserati style than compared to Kia and Ford
Also, before I go into depth I must give a big Thanks to @OCTOGONPC for his thread on installing these tail lamps if it wasn't for him I'd be completely lost upon installation!

These tail lamps are completely LED to the exception of your reverse light. The lamps don't come with a pair of reverse bulbs
they expect you to use your own most likely the OEM halogen or if you purchased an LED bulb prior. These lamps have the same size bulb for the reverse lights.
Also the tail lights are completely plug and play up until the trunk lid lamps, these only require rewiring between the w5w connector(stock lamp) and the two wires
from the new lamp (basically putting wires into the same connector as the OEM bulb (w5w))

Here are some pictures BTW I'd say the entire process takes about 1 - 3 hours depending on whether or not you know what you're doing.

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