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VanGeek
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2022
Posts: 238
Location: New England
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 Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 6:08 pm Post subject: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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I've noticed that many of the newer VW vehicles have illuminated grill badges, and stumbled across a company that makes them: https://www.carledlogo.com/car-logo-badge/led-vw-emblem/
I did it! Pics don't do it justice. Looks really cool. But this gives you an idea...
I have more important improvements and fixes to make on my weekender. ....and yet, I had to try it. Ordered the emblem, popped out the OEM emblem, and went to work. Wanted something that was semi-plug-and-play -- so I easily could swap the new emblem for the old one.
There's a star-wars emblem on thingiverse.com that snaps into the spot for the OEM emblem, and the guy nailed the size, clips, etc. I redesigned the emblem and made it an adapter -- basically shaved off the star wars emblem. But the illuminated version has a curved backside. So I made a curved section and glued it to the adapter, and then mounted the illuminated adapter to it. Ran a 12v igntion-triggered wiring from my aux panel under the dash, thru the firewall, and into the new emblem. Added a connector near the grille so it can be unplugged when the grill is removed for service.
This worked out so well, I think I'm gonna have to buy a red one for the rear hatch 
Here are photos of the adapter and back-side of the emblem. There are two pieces to the adapter because it would be difficult to 3d print as one piece.
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obnoxiousblue
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2007
Posts: 2952
Location: East Northport, NY
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| Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 6:21 pm Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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HELL
YES
If you sell these as a kit, put me down!
_________________
Mike
1964 Beetle
2001 Eurovan Camper |
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Glenn 
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 77061
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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| obnoxiousblue wrote: |
HELL
YES
If you sell these as a kit, put me down! |
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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obnoxiousblue
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2007
Posts: 2952
Location: East Northport, NY
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| Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2024 7:09 pm Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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| Glenn wrote: |
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Don’t make me come down there… 
_________________
Mike
1964 Beetle
2001 Eurovan Camper |
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VanGeek
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2022
Posts: 238
Location: New England
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| Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 5:07 am Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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| obnoxiousblue wrote: |
HELL
YES
If you sell these as a kit, put me down! |
Wasn't planning to sell a kit, but posted the snap-in adapter files on thingiverse.com so anyone can download and print them. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6594695
There may be other creative ways to mount it in the grill in the place where the OEM emblem snaps-out. I had considered cutting or disassembling the OEM emblem and using part of it as a base for the new emblem but wanted to keep it in-case the illuminated emblem didn't work out.
YMMV on how to wire this in -- it only needs a +12V and ground either triggered by ignition, headlight power, or a switch. I installed an aux fuse panel and used that to power mine.
This adapter was printed with PETG. ABS has better heat resistance but I didn't have any on-hand. I will likely put a small amt of heat reflective insulation on the back-side for additional insurance against heat deformation. |
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Glenn
Mr. 010
Joined: December 25, 2001
Posts: 77061
Location: Sneaking up behind you
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| Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 5:16 am Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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| obnoxiousblue wrote: |
| Glenn wrote: |
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Don’t make me come down there… |
Don't threaten me with a good time.
_________________
Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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MrBreeze
Samba Hitman
Joined: October 06, 2002
Posts: 5550
Location: Lawn Guyland, Noo Yawk
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| Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 5:49 am Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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| obnoxiousblue wrote: |
| Glenn wrote: |
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Don’t make me come down there… |
He's just waiting for a Subaru one
_________________
-=Rob
WTB: Bay Shore or Queensboro VW Frames
HBB 1984-2009
RW 1943-2011
ER 1964-2023 |
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obnoxiousblue
Samba Member
Joined: February 21, 2007
Posts: 2952
Location: East Northport, NY
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| Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 5:50 am Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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| MrBreeze wrote: |
He's just waiting for a Subaru one |
Something tells me VanGeek would be happy to help! LOL
_________________
Mike
1964 Beetle
2001 Eurovan Camper |
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VanGeek
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2022
Posts: 238
Location: New England
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bigfoot_ev
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2018
Posts: 160
Location: Anacortes, WA
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| Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 10:51 am Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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| VanGeek, that's friggin awesome! |
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bcolins
Samba Member
Joined: December 04, 2020
Posts: 741
Location: Austin, TX
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| Posted: Thu Apr 25, 2024 11:12 am Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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| Love it! If you do a kit,…. I will take two for my 95 EVC and my 2003 MV |
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OB Bus
Samba Member
Joined: February 09, 2003
Posts: 2545
Location: Ocean Beach in Beautiful BLUE California
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KillerGriller
Samba Member
Joined: June 15, 2022
Posts: 57
Location: Ontario, Canada
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| Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2024 12:41 pm Post subject: Re: VW illuminated emblem -- totally unnecessary but I had to do it |
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| It's stuff like this that REALLY tempts me to buy a 3d printer, so many options to build bits that fit your specific application. Well done! |
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