I realize this mod is a bit odd but I like it and will do it. The problem comes when I start looking into doing the mod itself. I already designed a few circuits using 555 timers and 2N3055 transistors that should work perfectly, but the problem is the look.

The firebird taillights have 6 bulbs, lets say this is a drivers side taillight. #5 below is a turn signal. #6 reverse light. #'s 1,2,3, and 4 are taillights, and #1 and 2 get brighter when you hit the brake.
[1] [2] [3] [4]
[ 5 ] [6]

Now the problem is: sequential taillights look cool when the bulbs pulse, but the inner two are always the same brightness (#3 and 4). So now I hit the brakes and the two outer would go back and forth. So I was thinking of changing #3 to a dual filament and making it like a 4th gen sequential taillight (basically the standard pulse look). 4 wouldn't be touched unless it really looked bad, and I could have a 4 way sequence which would be awesome. I was also thinking if making the bulbs pulse like night riders front light bar would be awesome, but horribly unsafe.

So if you made your way through this, any tips on what will look good or what I should do would really be appreciated. Thanks!

 

I think I'm gonna go straight all 4 across if the dual filament bulbs fit right in. I bet they won't, thats how my luck is...

 

That is exactly what you have to do ,sockets too. Let me know how it works.

 

Hell, I thought I was the only one thinking about doing something like that...! (Of course, my inspiration for doing that was the '68-ish Mercury Cougars...)

Seriously, keep us informed of how that works for ya, I'd like to know more about it..

 

I will post a complete schematic, parts list, walk through since I'd love to see this on a 3rd gen with all 4 bulbs. I think I'm gonna have a switch to make the bulbs pulse rather than strobe just for when I'm parked.

 

Right now I'm having trouble tracking down 4 of the brake light bulbs and holders.

 

Anyone into electronics that could help me, I'm having trouble making the LM3914 sequencer to activate the ULN2801 darlington pairs. I can send a schematic if anyone knows how to have that work out.

 

Josh...im assuming u have seen the commercially available sequencers, maybe they arent exactly what u want(only 3 bulbs) or they wont work on your car (says some firebirds) but just in case go here. I posted about this on TGO and those were all anyone knew of. I want sequenced tail lights that dont all stay lit once they go on like those...in otherwords innermost bulb blinks on/of... then middle bulb blinks on/off.. then outer bulb blinks on/off... havent been able to find anything yet so ive been doing a litte research but havent come up with too much yet.

 

My design (and any sequencer using an LM3914 chip) can have that option. I would get the one you posted, however: $75 for something I can build for $5 in parts is a bit pricey, and I want 4 bulbs. I considered the same thing you mention, but it seems like a danger hazard just having strobing bulbs. I am about 75% done with my design, and the parts will be on the way soon.

 

cool, if you get em done let us know how they turn out, and maybe post a schematic if u dont mind... As for the strobing thing i dont want all 3 bulbs going in the time it would normally take a blinker to blink once, its hard to explain stuff like that by typing it... but basically i want them to blink at the normal cadence of the blinker just starting inside then going out. anyways good luck with your project.

oops almost forgot....in some of the reading ive done i have come to the conclusion that you need to trick the blinker into thinking that its still just the plain stock one... i think if you wire it wrong it will trip the blinker module like when you have a bad bulb so it will blink extra fast.... just a heads up incase you overlooked.

 

Thanks for the headsup but I am not touching the stock turn signals. Stock turn signals are just the one orange section at the bottom. Well I am modifying the top 4 bulbs so thats not a worry. I am looking for some good relays right now so Ill post back in a day or so with my newer developments.

 

Well I just got the sockets and I am drilling out the taillight right now. I'm going to make step by step instructions for any 85-89 firebird....

 

I'm waiting for the write up

 

Well first get dual filament 2057 bulbs and replace bulbs "3" and "4" as I called them below. Stock they are tiny little bulbs and I replace them with the low powered filament of the 2057. You need to get 4 sockets from another firebird harness. It takes a steady hand with a dremel to make the holes larger, but once you do that you should be all set. Black i ground, brown is connected to the running lights, and light blue is the high powered filament so leave that free until I do my write up. Here's a picture. I labeled all 8 of the dualfilament bulbs straight across so wiring is easier later. This is step 1, preparation for the circuit.

www.fxdoctor.com/sequential.jpg

 

You can see the little stock bulb in the dead center of the picture.


I am working on the circuit at the moment. The chips are in the mail at the moment. Its gonna be about $10 in parts.