My normal "unusual" work requests generally get done by Lex Brodies. But two caveats, I'm on Hawaii island (1), and the Lex Brodies here are a franchise and I know the guy who runs them (2).
I have one of the 4k ponies that is pretty dark across the top side. I've about given up trying to contact John to see if he had a better opinion. So I covered the sides and back with metal tape to see if it would help reflect light back into the emblem. And I think it does. From some angles, it looks really good....almost uniform. Other angles are still darker across the top. I think overall there is more light coming out all around. My next step will be to try chrome paint to see if that works because metal tape isn't a permanent solution. Do you have any pictures after your matte paint?Good morning everyone!
A few weeks ago I ordered the front and rear lighted pony from AliExpress to test them against Johns' offerings. I have a few updates to the current situation.
1. I was pretty disappointed in the light dispersion with the kickstarter product. I don't want to rehash all that but I did want to try a little something to see if I could help spread the light output across the pony a little better. I basically taped off the front, top, side edge and the mounting posts of the pony and found a matte clear finish spray paint to "frost" the edges you cannot see from the front of the pony. The result is, much better. The matte spray on the back edge seems to diffuse the light output just enough where it's harder to see the individual LED hotspots. The top of my pony still has significantly less light output than the bottom, but you don't get the "litebrite" effect from the front of the mustang.
2. I haven't gotten to install the rear light up pony from China because apparently, the freight forwarder decided to open the package and take the pony itself. I got the harness for the pony, just no pony. Efforting that now.
3. I can confirm that the front light up Pony for sale on AliExpress does NOT exist. What they send you is a harness that ties into the vehicle wiring to light up an emblem that cannot light up. It looks like the MME in China has a completely different front emblem that maybe lights up or perhaps can have lights shoved into them. Such an absolute goat rodeo. Bottom line, do not buy the front logo because it doesn't exist but you will get a useless wiring harness.
China emblem.
I hope all that makes sense, it you have any questions, hit me up.
It was not dark when I completed the project So I didn't get any good photos. Honestly, I don't really have a before because I knew I wasn't going to install it as I received it. The light dispersion was just too off. I'm not even sure I am using the right wire at the BCM because all I saw on the instruction video was what looked like a yellow wire. I haven't seen a write up on how to install this thing and whenever anyone asks, you get the "watch the youtube video". Then you have to hunt for the piece of information you are looking for through a video. Not ideal. My Pony lights up when you start the car but does not stay on when you are driving or charging. It's super weird.
There are written instructions. I don't know if these are the most current. The main reason I held off was to see how it looked, how it lasted, and to avoid issues like people are currently describing.
Awesome, thanks. I didn't see that. The Pony looks good, it's just the light dispersion that is wonky. I don't know that john could have foreseen how it would refract light due to the odd angles, but it seems if you spread it out/defuse it with matte sealer, it works pretty well. I managed to get my OEM Pony off without breaking it so I can always just, put it back.
So I am definitely on the green/orange wire at the BCM but it’s not acting right. On John’s video, he tapped into what looks like a yellow wire. Anyone know what the yellow wire at the BCM does?
If you are tapped into the BCM, your pony will light up when you approach the car and when the headlights are on. It will not be on when charging or while driving with headlights off.
Yea, that’s what’s weird. I ran a wire to the BCM and tapped into the green/orange. It does not come on when I approach. It does come on when I start the car. Like I said, I pulled up behind someone with a very shiny hind end last night and I pulled forward to see if the pony was lit. It was not. It seems like I am tapped into the wrong wire but I followed the instructions. On John’s videos, that wire looked yellow. I do have a yellow wire there as well. I just don’t want to toast anything here. Just seems odd that it is not illuminated while driving at night.
My understanding is the power is coming off the headline harness and the BCM is just the signal. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
