Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: bobander on May 12, 2012, 12:24:34 pm
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I wanted to make my lane changes more obvious to vehicles that were to my side, if they are ahead of my rear bumper they can't see my front or rear turn indicator. This is especially important on a multi-lane freeway if they are two lanes over; I want them to know I am changing lanes in case they also want to move into that lane.
I found these tail/turn indicator lights made for motorcycles, $16 for a pair. I thought they were perfect, not too big and they face towards the rear for good visibilty on the side. I wired them to the front turn signal.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0055DQVDC/ref=ox_ya_os_product
I had to change the bulbs to LEDs because the added load of the incandescent bulbs caused both the factory turn lamp and the added lamp to flash erratically. The 2010 E450 doesn't have a traditional flasher that can be changed, the Ford factory shop manual shows an integral control module with transistors to do the flashing. The bulbs were only $3 each, part no 68-A9.
http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=%2Fspecs%2F67.htm
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Bob that is a really cool mod. Between your mod and Billys rear light the only thing left would be LED daytime running lights. My new 2012 has side lights under the outside mirrors so I can only do two of the three.
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Tom,
I like the new mirrors with turn indicators. I called the mirror company and there was no way to retrofit my mirrors to add the new mirror turn indicators, they said I would have to buy new mirrors. I decide to do my mod instead.
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Love-um, they look great. Very nice job, that's one atta boy.
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And an Attaboy from me too.
I like it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2o2
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I love it too. Very Clean Factory-Like Installation. Great work with the project and the write-up ther bobander! Here's a "Helpful Clicky" for you.
Do you recall the cost of Velvac mirrors with the integrated turn signals? I wonder if you could buy them a lot cheaper through PC-USA than through other suppliers.
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Do you recall the cost of Velvac mirrors with the integrated turn signals? I wonder if you could buy them a lot cheaper through PC-USA than through other suppliers.
Hi Ron,
My mirrors are Ramco series 1350, and they wanted $474 for the pair. I didn't contact PC or any other supplier, just went with my $25 mod.
Bob
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That is about what I paid for the mirrors on my 2010 2350 PC with the short arms, no turn signals. I got them throught Phoenix's Carol, who also had them painted and shipped to me.
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8:00 Monday nite, ordered the lights and replacement led.
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Billy,
Here are more photos of the mod.
To remove the headlight assy there are two screws at the bottom and one at the top, then pull straight out to release one spring clip. The top two lamps (turn signal and running lamps) are removed by rotating the lamp holders counter clockwise, the bottom connector for the headlamp is removed by pressing on the tab on the side of the connector. I used tap splices to attach to the three wires on the turn signal.
Since the LED bulb is more directional, I bent the lamp socket up with needle nose pliers so the bulb points out from the base and parallel to the amber lens.
There are different mounting screws included with the light assy and I used the sheet metal screws, I drilled out the threaded holes in the light assy base so the sheet metal screws would go through the base and into the fender. I think it will be obvious when you see them.
There is a gap in the rubber grommet for drainage, install so the gap is on the bottom, you can see the gap in the photo.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Bob
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Gonna give you another 'helpful clicky' for the explanation, which makes it simpler for ambidextrous maladroits like me. 2o2
Image 1670-1 shows a 'Magic Black Box' with a red wire in plain sight under the hood, What is it?
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Bob, great. A question? How do the wires match up? Color to color?
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Image 1670-1 shows a 'Magic Black Box' with a red wire in plain sight under the hood, What is it?
Thats a battery status indicator, you touch the leads to the battery and it lights up green, yellow, or red. It came free with the BatteryMinder I bought to keep the engine battery charged when stored. I never use it, worth only the free price.
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Bob, great. A question? How do the wires match up? Color to color?
On my 2010 E450 turn signals:
Right front:
Black with grey stripe = ground
Yellow with violet stripe = turn
Violet with white stripe = running
Left front:
Black with yellow stripe = ground
Blue with green stripe = turn
Violet with white stripe = running
As for the new light, you can see which wire is ground as it is soldered to the rear of the socket, the others you have to test by touching to your battery. I can't remember what the colors were.
Bob
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You're just amassing those 'clickys', aren't you?
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You're just amassing those 'clickys', aren't you?
I'm hoping I can trade them in on some stuff, like the Green Stamps of olden days. :-D
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Might have figured a Californian would bring up something "Green". ;)