SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Painted headlights w/ drls and adjustable suspension links
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sl55 amg
Painted headlights w/ drls and adjustable suspension links
I used to have a highly modded widebody SL55 a few years back and sold it, but I just couldn't help myself when a smoking deal appeared on a Rentech tuned low mile SL65 came available about a year ago. So I am back!
I have held off for a year touching this car, but time has finally come to make some parts for it and do some simple mods.
First, wanted to paint the headlights and add drls. I painted the insides gloss black to go better with the black car. My previous design of adding drls, or leds to the lights had been done by others a few times also, so had to change it up this time.
I had a 12" strip of led tube that had white leds in it (and looks like a neon tube when on like the late model benz's) but also amber leds for turn signal. Wire the white leds to ignition on circuit, and turn signal right to the wiring in the headlight, so the only lead is one power wire coming externally. When turn signal is activated, the white leds turn off, and will automatically come back on once turn signal is off for more than 1 second. Just like newer model cars. The led tube fit perfectly behind the hid shroud cover. Literally, it sandwiches in there with no need to fasten and 12' is the perfect length. It is held very tightly.
My car is lowered, and I finally am tired of all the camber wear, so made a set of adjustable toe links, and am in the process of building the camber links.
Toe links are straight, but had to neck down the tube to get proper subframe clearance. I only had to rotate the stock bracket a little to make it work. Tubing goes from 1.25", to 1", then to a solid 3/4" with threads tapped in it for the last few inches.
More pics of camber arms once complete.
I have held off for a year touching this car, but time has finally come to make some parts for it and do some simple mods.
First, wanted to paint the headlights and add drls. I painted the insides gloss black to go better with the black car. My previous design of adding drls, or leds to the lights had been done by others a few times also, so had to change it up this time.
I had a 12" strip of led tube that had white leds in it (and looks like a neon tube when on like the late model benz's) but also amber leds for turn signal. Wire the white leds to ignition on circuit, and turn signal right to the wiring in the headlight, so the only lead is one power wire coming externally. When turn signal is activated, the white leds turn off, and will automatically come back on once turn signal is off for more than 1 second. Just like newer model cars. The led tube fit perfectly behind the hid shroud cover. Literally, it sandwiches in there with no need to fasten and 12' is the perfect length. It is held very tightly.
My car is lowered, and I finally am tired of all the camber wear, so made a set of adjustable toe links, and am in the process of building the camber links.
Toe links are straight, but had to neck down the tube to get proper subframe clearance. I only had to rotate the stock bracket a little to make it work. Tubing goes from 1.25", to 1", then to a solid 3/4" with threads tapped in it for the last few inches.
More pics of camber arms once complete.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Sep 2012
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sl55 amg
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2009
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From: North California
02 C32 AMG, 05 SL55 AMG, 09 SL63 AMG, 14 E350, '18 G550, 92 300ZX & 15' GL63 AMG
I am excited to see this build! keep them coming! i am loving the blacked out headlights! i see you painted the chrome reflector for the parking lights as well!
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sl55 amg
Thanks. I left the rear of the reflector chrome, but only the dish. The reflection of the black though makes it look painted also. Worked out well and there is zero problems with light emission.
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Thread Starter
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sl55 amg
Thanks. Ya, I was surprised how easy it ended up being. I had tons of leds layed out, and other led tubes, not really knowing what I was going to do. Grabbed that one and it fit perfect and gave the exact effect I wanted. It looks much better in person too!
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2005 SL65 AMG
I would pay you to do mine for sure.
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sl55 amg
Well, I am taking some time off from work, and am bored, so why not. If you cover shipping back and forth, and we can agree on a price, I can do it for ya.
It takes about 2 days to do all together with cure time. I could have them turned back around to you pretty quickly.
It takes about 2 days to do all together with cure time. I could have them turned back around to you pretty quickly.
Last edited by overZealous1; Feb 9, 2018 at 11:13 AM.
Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 171
Likes: 12
2005 SL65 AMG
Well, I am taking some time off from work, and am bored, so why not. If you cover shipping back and forth, and we can agree on a price, I can do it for ya.
It takes about 2 days to do all together with cure time. I could have them turned back around to you pretty quickly.
It takes about 2 days to do all together with cure time. I could have them turned back around to you pretty quickly.
