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I've been brainstorming an idea of how to get rear fog lights. I came up with the idea of using one of my rear reverse lights. I saw this done on a VW Golf and it looked good to me. Driving around I see some MBs and Audi SUVs with the rear fogs and I'm a big fan of that look. I purchased an LED from superbrightleds.com and after 4 weeks of being "in transit" it arrived.
VW example
When the weather gets warmer, which will most likely be closer to April/May, I'll do the wiring needed to make it an "always on" application. I'm guessing I'll connect the power from the reverse light to that of the left tail light. Anyone who has a better idea of doing the wiring I'm all ears.......or eyes in this case. Lol. As for the LED bulb itself, it doesn't seem bright enough to me when compared to the Audi/MB rear fogs. It's just as bright as the brake lights which defeats the purpose of a rear fog no? This project is still in "my research" phase but thought I'd share my progress.
You do know that a rear fog lamp (singular) was/is a standard option on Euro-spec G37's:
Many have wanted to add that feature to USDM G's except the design of our license plates interfere with the lamp (EU rear fog).
While I understand the idea of what you're trying to do, I am curious what the legalities, if any, might be?
Plenty of time to work on it and if you need help with wiring feel free to ask.
I've always wanted the R35 GT-R fog lamp for my G- just no feasible way to make it happen:
Do we normally just have the one back up light on the right or are both sides normally reverse lights? I guess I have never had anyone backup my car for me.
In Europe, rear fog lamp(s) are mandatory by law. Most car manufacturers use one reverse lamp for the rear fog (red bulb) and the other reverse lamp for backing up (white bulb) while others use a separate lamp entirely.
Above pic is what Peepz is experimenting with to copy EU-spec cars.
In Europe, rear fog lamp(s) are mandatory by law. Most car manufacturers use one reverse lamp for the rear fog (red bulb) and the other reverse lamp for backing up (white bulb) while others use a separate lamp entirely.
Above pic is what Peepz is experimenting with to copy EU-spec cars.
I'm aware of all that. Don't we normally have both sides as back up lights? So he is effectively eliminating the reverse light on the driver's side to turn it into a rear fog light?
You do know that a rear fog lamp (singular) was/is a standard option on Euro-spec G37's:
Many have wanted to add that feature to USDM G's except the design of our license plates interfere with the lamp (EU rear fog).
While I understand the idea of what you're trying to do, I am curious what the legalities, if any, might be?
Plenty of time to work on it and if you need help with wiring feel free to ask.
Yeah I'm aware of the EU Gs. I should've mentioned that in my previous post that I did consider such fog light as well as looking into getting the 370z rear fog. I'm not really to fond of cutting into the bumper and figuring out the mounting all that jazz. This reverse light option seems less of a hassle to me. Maybe I'll go ask my body guy if he can help me achieve the EU bumper fog look.
As for the legality issue, not really sure if NYS has any law, or US, that mention having two reverse lights as a requirement. Do correct if I'm wrong.
Originally Posted by 4DRZ
I'm aware of all that. Don't we normally have both sides as back up lights? So he is effectively eliminating the reverse light on the driver's side to turn it into a rear fog light?
Yes that's exactly what I plan to do. I even might cover the light with red vinyl tint. Not sure how that'll look on the G but here's an example on a Mazda
Had a bit of nice weather on my recent day off so I decided to take a look at my rear fog project. I'm not to sure when it comes to wiring so I'm still looking at the wires like a 1,000 peice puzzle. The reverse lights have black and red wires. I think black is ground and red is power. The tail lights have 4 wires. I need to know which one is power for the taillights? I know I can PM a few people but I'd like to post the info here in the thread incase anyone else might need it.
This is the right tail light plug. Red. Mint green. Purple. Black.
This the left tail light plug. Purple. Teal. Mint green. Black.
I think a voltage tester should be in my Amazon cart.
For the LEFT side: B60 connector, pin 1 (PURPLE) is (+), and pin 4 (BLACK) is ground (-).
For the RIGHT side: B67 connector, pin 1 (RED) is (+), and pin 4 (BLACK) is ground (-).
For reference:
Pin 2 (LIGHT GREEN (both sides) are (+) for your STOP/BRAKE lights, and
Pin 3 (SKY BLUE/PURPLE) are (+) for the TURN SIGNAL LAMPS.
Pins 1, 2, and 3 are (+) when energized;
Pin 4 is a common/shared ground.
Last edited by ILM-NC G37S; Mar 5, 2021 at 09:34 PM.
A quick background for anyone who is interested in doing this mod. I'm not great when it comes to wiring. If my confused self did it, I'm sure you can as well. The diagram posted by ILM-NC G37S helped a lot and makes me wish more technical manuals were this easy to read. "G37 for Dummies" should be a book.
My goal was to have an always on rear fog light utilizing the rear left reverse light. I've considered doing the EU fog in the lower bumper and the infamous red LED strip that everyone puts behind the Autokits X rear diffuser. EU fog wasn't easy to find and expensive at the same time. Cheapest I found was $550 shipped from a UK website. The autokits idea was a good idea too but I didn't like what was available in regards to the red LED strip.
I settled on the reverse light option. The idea was simple. Run a steady power wire to power the reverse light and replace the bulb with a red LED bulb. I had extra wire laying around from my illuminated kick plates. I cut the red wire from the black wire and used it as a power source.
I started first at the reverse light. The orange light is the power. Black is ground. My method of connection was via red wire taps. The wire taps came from a resistor pack. Fairly easy to use and can be removed easily by prying the taps open with a flathead. This is the left rear back up plug. I tapped into the orange wire which provides power to the bulb.
Next was to run the wire to the rear left taillight. Tucked the red wire from the left rear reverse light through the trunk lid, down the left through the rubber tube, which was a pain in the a**, and through the trunk towards the tailight. Once at the tailight, I again used a red wire tap and tapped into the purple wire. Purple supply's power to the rear tailight.
On the other end, used the same tap and tapped into the the purple wire. This is on the left rear tail light
With both ends connected I installed the red LED bulb. Its a 921 LED to be exact, purchased from superbrightleds.com. Lumen rating was 170. Once installed, I turned on my lights and was satisfied with my wiring until I realized the right reverse light was also illuminated. Great.
Tested my wiring job and found out both reverse lights were illuminated.
I was stuck and a little disappointed. I didn't let it defeat me and started to think of how else I can make this work. I stared at the wiring for a good 45 minutes and figured it out. That orange wire powers both right and left reverse lights. The good thing about the left reverse light is that the orange wire branched off from the main orange wire which ran to the right. I decided to cut that orange wire a bit past the where I tapped into it originally and hoped for the best. I was timid at first. I marked my cut point about 5-7 times and hesitated multiple times but I finally gave in. It worked!!
Here it is with the lights on and rear left illuminated. Lights off and car in reverse.
Felt satisfied with my work and cleaned my trunk back up. Reinstalled all the carpeted panels and clips and waited for night to fall. Wifey wanted Applebee's that night. Perfect!! Let's go so I can take pictures of how my new "fogs" look. So far I'm enjoying it. Also enjoying the fact that my car is becoming more unique in a city that every 1 in 5 cars on the road are a G35/7. Stay different my friends!
No major changes this time around. It's more of a maintenance post. My Z1 air filters have been beaten and battered since I've installed them. I think they're really cheap IMO. They get dirty quickly and not having a splash shield on top of that gets me worried. They've been soaked a few times after a few car washes and inspire no confidence in actually "filtering" the air. Not very satisfied with them.
Did some lurking on the internet and found AFE air filters that fit the Z1s. The Z1s have a 2.5in tube and it wasn't easy to find 2.5in filters so I was happy to see some from a brand I've used before in my G35.
Plus I got free overnight shipping!!! Not sure how but they were here the next day. Win/Win.
Model: AFE PRO 5R AIR FILTER #24-25507
The AFE's were shorter than Z1 but I'm sure it has no effect. AFE does have a taller version of this same filter #24-25508 with "8" being the height of the filter in inches. Side note, when I looking at my Z1, I noticed a bit of rust on the metal strip on the filter itself. Extra worry about how much water I've actually ingested in to the engine .
In regards to waterproofing, I did find some covers made specifically for this model from filterwears.
Good day and happy new year!! I can't believe I haven't posted anything since May. I knew I slowed down on mods but I guess I lost track of how slow I've actually been. There's really nothing else done to the car since I've last posted. I did upgrade my rear fog led bulb to a VLEDS Triton V3. Initial brighteness is blinding and loses I would say about 25% luminosity after being on for about 30mins. I have photos of that if anyone is interested in seeing such.
The next project is one I wasn't expecting on doing so soon. Installing new RHFCs. Last month I was cruising home from work and was doing my usual 65-70 mph when some a-hole decided it would be a good idea to enter my lane without warning at about 45mph. A few high beam flashes and honks later I floored it pass him and my car immediately sounded like a Honda with the eBay fart can special. Narrowed it down to realizing I blew one of my cats. Surprising since I don't really drive to aggressively and my car only has 45kmi. Nonetheless I needed new cats.
Ended up purchasing AAM Competition RHFC. I wanted FI since I planned on getting their exhaust as well but I couldn't wait the 14-16 weeks. I'm sure I couldn't go wrong with either. 2-3 weeks later these showed up.
Plan on doing the install this weekend. I know how much of a PITA this install is so I've been PB Blasting the bolts for a week straight. Let's hope it helps. Will definitely update when everything is done. Be well!
I'm sure I couldn't go wrong with either. 2-3 weeks later these showed up.
