Considering mod: front turnsignals to LED

djdrock

djdrock

Experienced Member
Joined
1 June 2005
Messages
948
Location
Happy Little Tree, Indiana
I am considering doing a custom mod myself to make the front turnsignals LED. But before pursuing this, I am wanting help. First, if anyone has an old/worn/slightly cracked one laying around, I will gladly purchase it. I am a bit fearful of taking mine apart and experimenting.

I found a nice amber LED cluster that I believe will fit inside, but not sure.

Has anyone taken the lenses apart?

Thanks!!!
 
I have considered this, but I wanted a cleaner, more fresh look like Mike at clearcorners can supply.

Image03.jpg
 
Yes, thanks, I knew the blinker rate was going to be faster. I needed those links. :biggrin:

But, I need a lense first to play around with to see if the LED array I have will work. :wink:
 
This is one idea I had, from superbrightleds.com. (in amber of course). These are LED light boards that you can make various lengths.

strip_w.jpg


Autozone also has an LED cluster for $20.
 
Osiris_x11 said:
Placing LED's in the turn-signal component of the front combo-light increases the blinker rate, signficantly.
Click to expand...

thanks for the info. didn't know it. glad I heard about it now before I went out and bought some and it didn't do the trick
 
I am still interested in finding a used clear bumper lense, even slightly damaged for this project.
 
Osiris_x11 said:
Placing LED's in the turn-signal component of the front combo-light increases the blinker rate, signficantly. You may have to install a load equalizer:
Click to expand...
Just a clarification - yes, you will need to accommodate for a changing blink rate for the front combo light - the corners can be replaced without worrying about this, they don't have enough effect.

If needed to compensate for the main flasher bulbs, here's a circuit I have done with a couple of relays to replace the OEM flasher relay - this has been tested & works.

One of these days I will remove the OEM relay module & figure out what mod is necessary to bypass the current detect loop!
 
whattabout a strobe-light?

D'Ecosse said:
If needed to compensate for the main flasher bulbs, here's a circuit I have done with a couple of relays to replace the OEM flasher relay - this has been tested & works.
Click to expand...
... and the guru speaks!
icon_thumleft.gif


I personally don't mind the amber-underlay in a portion of the front-bumper combo' lights. However, front side-markers are another story... soon to be addressed (hopefully)! :wink:
 
Okay...putting things back on track here with the turn signal lense conversion...:smile:

I was able to find a couple of used turnsignal lenses, and am going to be modifying these as soon as I get them and the necessary parts. I do have a few questions...

1. I seem to recall seeing a picture of the front lenses taken apart somewhere on prime, and that there is an amber lens inside. Can anyone give me anymore details on this?

2. I have been doing a bunch of research on my LED options, and I believe I am going to go with a flexible-cutable LED array in amber. (see picture below)

P6250122.jpg


It is available in a variety of color...so either Amber or Clear is what I am going with. Do you think that getting clear and using the amber filter inside the lens would be better, or just nuke the filter and go with the amber LEDs?

Thanks!!!
 
djdrock said:
It is available in a variety of color...so either Amber or Clear is what I am going with. Do you think that getting clear and using the amber filter inside the lens would be better, or just nuke the filter and go with the amber LEDs?

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

In general, the LED companies recommend using the same color LEDs as the filter, if you have one. So you should go with amber behind amber, or just the amber LEDs with a clear lense. I think you have to make that choice based on what you want the lenses to look like when the LEDs are off -- personal preference.
 
I need to order the correct Load Equalizer, and I like the ones from http://autolumination.com/equalizers.htm. They have 3 types with various ratings. Will the one rated "15-25 OHM DELUXE ALUMINUM" be sufficient the front turn signals? I will need two of these of course.

Thanks!
 
I amstill looking for a right side front blinker asembly. If you have an extra one after finishing your project, let me know!

thanks,
Wes
 
Hugh said:
Signal Dynamics makes a load equalizer too.
Click to expand...
Don't think that will work Hugh - not plug n play anyway.

djdrock said:
I need to order the correct Load Equalizer, and I like the ones from http://autolumination.com/equalizers.htm. They have 3 types with various ratings. Will the one rated "15-25 OHM DELUXE ALUMINUM" be sufficient the front turn signals? I will need two of these of course.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
6 ohms
 
I plan to re-engineer the OEM flasher unit to work around the fast-flash issue
If anyone has one they could donate (temporarily) in the name of science, they get a free mod at end of it! :biggrin:
 
Well, I have one of the signal lenses apart. Well sort of...these things are not sealed together by an adhesive that melts when heated, so I have cut into the back of them to get inside. The lenses that I received are a little worn, but I knew that when I purchased them as this is a trial-and-error venture. I have sanded the lenses down using about 7 different grits of sandpaper, and then finished with Maguires plastic cleaner and polish. They look nice. Anyways, I have the LEDs and load equalizers on the way, and have fabricated my housing for them. So far, things look very good. If all goes well, each lense will have 120 amber LEDS. I will keep you all posted. :biggrin:
 
Last edited:
I just received the load equalizers, and wanted to double check the installation of these with the experts...

1. The load equalizer has a wire coming out of each end, so I have 2 wires. Do I take one wire to the positive (the cars wiring) and the other to the negative (of the cars wiring)?

2. Does the wiring harness going to the factory bulb have only two wires (positive and negative)? I have yet to look at this.

3. Also, they say these produce heat, but how much? I would like to seal these inside the lights laying on the aluminum housing I made. Is this okay?

Thanks!!!
 
Last edited:
djdrock said:
1. The load equalizer has a wire coming out of each end, so I have 2 wires. Do I take one wire to the positive (the cars wiring) and the other to the negative (of the cars wiring)?
Click to expand...
Correct

2. Does the wiring harness going to the factory bulb have only two wires (positive and negative)? I have yet to look at this.
Click to expand...
Yes - two wires (actually you can tell just by looking at the plug in your picture earlier, where you can see two prongs in each socket - the housing is made of plastic so the only way to 'return' power to ground is by a ground wire)
3. Also, they say these produce heat, but how much? I would like to seal these inside the lights laying on the aluminum housing I made. Is this okay?
Click to expand...
It would be better to be outside - the good news is that they are actually switching on & off so won't build too much heat, & only used for a realtively short duration (not like a parking light where they could be on for extended period) however if you seal it there is nowhere for heat to go. However can't really produce any more heat than the initial bulb it's replacing. Why don'y you do a quick test - hook it up & test it & see how hot it gets. You want to ensure it will fix your flash rate for sure anyway!
 
As always, thank you for your highly educational responses!!! :biggrin:
 
I have one of the LED clusters almost complete. It still needs a few final touches, and I still have to secure it inside the lense and wire it to the factory harness. Here are a pic of the LED clusters and housing I made. It will sit about 3 inches back from the front of the lense. It looks nice inside. :biggrin:
 

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