Ady Booth

Has anybody tried to convert their side lights into indicators?

If so how big a job is it?
What are the legal implications of having no side lights, or have you relocated them?

Is it worth considering, or should I just shell out on clear indicators !

Ady

Moz

I got rid of my front indicators and replaced them with wire mesh, then relocated them inside my side lights by drilling an extra hole for the indicator bulb holder, you keep your sidelights but change your indicator bulbs to yellow ones.A lot of cars have sidelights and indicators in the same unit now.

AndrewC

Moz,

Sounds interesting, any chance of a piccy?

Andrew...

kurtw

I would have thought it was simply a case of re-driecting the wiring from the indicators to side lights and vise versa.

Then, if you got clear lenses and bulbs for the lower indicators, you'd retain the side lights.

Finally, get orange bulbs for the old sidelights.

Regards
Kurt

Moz

Ady
I`m not that clued up on how to post pictures here but i`ve got a digital camera so I will mail one to you.

AndrewC

Moz,

It woz me whose wanted the photo, could you Email to me.

AndrewC...

I'll post it if you want, or to try yourself checkout

DavidRB

Spooky, I was thinking of the same thing at the weekend!

Technically, I can't think of any reason why you would get in trouble driving with your headlights on instead of just your sidelights. The biggest loss would be their use as parking lights, hence I would want to keep them like Moz.

Moz, is there a clear route through the old indicator holes to the brakes? If I ever do it, I'd like to be able to cool the front brakes with the same mod.

Moz

David,yes, thats why i did it in the first place, its straight through, plus i removed the resonator box.
Andrew, sorry,i`ll mail it to you.

Moz

Andrew I`ve sent it, let me know if you get it o.k
Moz

AndrewC

Spooky, I just looked at this thread and saw that you'd mailed it at the same time the mail indicator lit up on my desktop!!!

Looks Cool! The photo is a little dark around the mesh looks like it's a pre-99 bumber like mine, I think I may do this instead of fitting clear front indicators.

What type of mesh did you use?

Do you want me to post the photo on scoobynet?

Andrew...

Moz

Yes post it I don`t mind.
Mesh is from B+Q Galvanised stuff just painted black.
Only thing is you have to watch where you make the hole for the bulb holder as there is only a small area that can be used otherwise it will foul the wing when you put it back.

greenking

Hi all,
I am also wanting a picture if you do not mind
Been thinking about this project but was worried about where to drill the hole
Thanks Moz and all the other
G.

[This message has been edited by greenking (edited 09 January 2001).]

AndrewC

AndrewC

Moz, any chance of a full frontal... of the car that is! So we can see the full finished effect.

I'm thinking of using stainless steel mesh similar to that used by some for radiator protection.

Anybody know where I can acquire some?

Andrew...

Moz

I`ll sort out some more pictures, give me a couple of days.
moz

DavidRB

Looks good! I'm guessing the principle will be the same for an MY00.

I'd also be interested in a shot of the sidelight/indicator surgery, but only if it's not too tough. Hadn't thought of the wiring, I'd just been thinking of positioning the indicator bulb to maximise the brightness of both. I wonder if you can get Halogen super-oranges?

The mesh looks the right size to stop stones going in, I guess anything much finer would stop the flow of air onto the front discs. I suppose if you wanted to be really certain, you could use two layers of mesh with the gaps "mis-aligned".

AndrewC

Moz, you're a star.

Perhaps you could do plans, drilling and cutting templates, in fact I'll drop the car off this weekend and let you do the job for me

Andrew...

AndrewC

Moz,

I've just taken the drivers side sidelight unit out of my car to have a look at it. I am struggling to see where the indicator bulb holder could go without fouling the bodywork?

The only 2 places I can it possibly see it fitting are:

1. Towards the bottom of the large flat area on the inside face of the indicator unit, ie. The indicator bulb would be below the sidelight bulb but perpendicular to it, facing outward instead of forwards.

2. In the bottom of the unit with the bulb facing upwards, unfortunately I dont thing there is enough space here to be able to lock the indicator holder in place.

Confused of Preston...

Moz

Your second option is right, there is just enough room, you have to take a very small amount out of the bulb holder where it meets the projected part of the sidelight moulding.
I`ve sent some more pics to you. I will take some of the front tommorow.

richbay

moz i too would be interested in seeing the pic, as i might give it a go

Ady Booth

Moz,

Ady here from the original posting. Is there any chance you could send me a copy of the pictures.
From the picture I've seen it looks like a pretty smart mod to make..

Cheers mate,

Ay

Moz

I`m mailing the pics.