I did a thing.

[OySmallFry]

I've been mulling over a design for a backlit pony emblem for a couple years now actually. Personally, the fully body lit emblems from Xlume, Ford, etc look a bit tacky. So I designed my own no-show LED emblem. This style requires an OEM Ford emblem (broken mounting pins work fine) and a grille-delete or emblem-delete grille (because that's what I have).

Printed in plain ol' PLA and installed this (version 4.1) in my car last week. Holding up great so far through a couple rainstorms. I'll eventually print in PETG (for strength & temp) and probably swap out the RF controller for a wifi-enabled unit.

Exploded view:

Mechanical Parts Lists (left to right):
1. Stainless steel 1/4-20 button head screws, qty 2 (https://www.mcmaster.com/90909a530)
2. OEM Ford Pony emblem (not shown, use your original)
3. Top Shroud (3D printed, black PLA)
4. Light Diffuser (3D printed, white or glow-in-the-dark PLA)
5. Bottom Shround (3D printed, black PLA)
6. Mounting Bracket (3D printed, black PLA)
7. Threaded inserts, qty 4 - your choice, either:
7A. Brass heat-set inserts (https://www.mcmaster.com/94459a380 - $8) - requires soldering iron to melt into mounting bracket
7B. Brass screw-to-expand inserts (https://www.mcmaster.com/92395a331 - $11) - weaker, but only requires screwdriver
8. #4 x 3/8" sheet metal screws, qty 6 (home depot / lowes, or https://www.mcmaster.com/90190a108 - $2) (not shown)

Electrical Parts List:
1. RGB LED strip, min 20" long, weatherproof IP65, 12 VDC, 5050 SMD, 60 LEDs/m (https://www.adafruit.com/product/346?length=1, should come with wires pre-attached) - $25
2. 18 AWG wire, 4 colors (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LH1FYR4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - $19
3. Wire sleeve, black (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FW86XV6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - $8
4. RGB LED Controller, RF or Wifi, make sure it takes 12V power (something like this: https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...olor-changing-modes-5-amps-channel/3050/6263/) - $30
5. In-line fuse, 18 AWG (https://www.amazon.com/Gauge-Waterproof-Fuse-Holder-Cover/dp/B0053RUQ0E) - $5
6. 1 amp ATC fuse - $1
7. 18-22 AWG terminal ring connector (the red one), for grounding - $3
8. Posi-tap, for power, 20-22 AWG (the red ones, https://www.amazon.com/Lockitt-POSI...ords=posi-tap&qid=1552166467&s=gateway&sr=8-5) - $10
9. Crimp Connectors (optional, if you don't know how to solder - https://www.amazon.com/WGCD-Insulat...tt+connectors&qid=1552166521&s=gateway&sr=8-4) - $12


Development versions:

View attachment 346520

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[Nagare]

None of your embeds work other than the video and the last image, looks good in the video though!

 

[1 old racer]

now offer them for sale.

 

[RichBrew]

now offer them for sale.

Seriously! I doubt I’d ever go through the trouble to build this, but I’d buy one in a hurry! Well, if it were blue I would.

 

[OySmallFry]

None of your embeds work other than the video and the last image, looks good in the video though!

Thanks for pointing that out. The new interface is a little strange regarding images, but I think they're all working now.

 

[OySmallFry]

Seriously! I doubt I’d ever go through the trouble to build this, but I’d buy one in a hurry! Well, if it were blue I would.

I'll upload another video, but since the LEDs are RGB, you can choose any color under the sun. Flashing, strobe, slow transition, etc.

You can also dim or brighten for your chosen level of "pop". I've got them wired up to my headlights, so they turn on automatically at night, but you could easily wire them to your fogs, or DRLs if you wanted always on accent lighting.

 

[papinist]

I was working on a similar design a couple years ago, I was using the same solution you are using (3d printed, led strip..) but dropped the project due to a busy schedule.
Congratulations for the great result!

 

[Nagare]

So is this image showing it with a regular grille pony in front or am I hallucinating? Looks great, but I love my corral grille so I don't think I'm giving that part up any time soon.

 

[RoninRed]

How is the LED strip attached?

 

[ponie1992]

Interesting...

 

[Elvis66]

I really like that!! Good job ..I would buy one from you to support the cause.the one I have from Xlume is nice..but way to bright ...looks like 3rd headlight

 

[whokilledkaji]

This should be on kickstarter... I'd support this!

 

[CANTA1M]

Id be all over this if you could do a Star Wars Imperial emblem for the front and one for the back.. lol

 

[jstaz1993]

Would definitely buy this!

 

[JOKER M1]

Nice work

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