When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I took out the original tail lights from my 91 and realized just how bad they are. The reverse clear section is popping out away from the red portion. The other lense has a crack. Since they are nla(at least that's what I've heard) , we need someone to come up with a decent replacement. Possibly led instead of regular bulbs.
This is doable. And if truly NLA I would be willing to give it a go. Question is, how much would somebody be willing to pay for a replacement. This would be a pricey assemble to 3D print.
They're about $850 a pair and still readily available, new. Not sure what a printed set would go but the backside of the housing is a really complex shape, as would be the inner surface of the lens.
Since there would not be big enough of a market to create injection molds, and it's difficult to make silicon molds in this size, 3D Printing would make sense for customized versions of the tail lights.
But I do think this has to be well thought through and carefully designed - otherwise it would look cheap and tacky...
Resin printers like the Objet and Formlabs can print clear pretty well out of the box. But to achieve acrylic like transparency a lot of polishing is needed.
I agree that casting these would be the best route and that would be my approach. I'd 3D print the sections where the it makes sense.
I'll look into this further. At over $800 a set that leaves some room to do better.
They're about $850 a pair and still readily available, new. Not sure what a printed set would go but the backside of the housing is a really complex shape, as would be the inner surface of the lens.
Probably would be best/cheapest to develop the lens and then remove the old lens and reuse the housing.
This is doable. And if truly NLA I would be willing to give it a go. Question is, how much would somebody be willing to pay for a replacement. This would be a pricey assemble to 3D print.
if one were going to the trouble i would also try a version with an updated look.
I'm in for three sets of the early style! When ever you want money. I just paid 900 bucks for a single plastic tail light housing with the reverse lens for a '58 buick!
Resin printers like the Objet and Formlabs can print clear pretty well out of the box. But to achieve acrylic like transparency a lot of polishing is needed.
I agree that casting these would be the best route and that would be my approach. I'd 3D print the sections where the it makes sense.
I'll look into this further. At over $800 a set that leaves some room to do better.
And stay pristine over years of sunlight (UV) exposure....
02-15-2017, 10:11 PM
Someone needs to 3d print tail lights!
