Turn Signal Parking Light Mod
#1
Turn Signal Parking Light Mod
Here is the beginning of the turn signal conversion in no particular order. You need to get a pvc fitting from Home Depot or Lowes. Take the socket for the light with you. It should fit right into the end that has the groove and clip into place. The fitting is the same dimension as the vertical curved lip on the back of the parking light. Trim off this vertical partial curve on the back of the parking light. Also trim off the plastic clip part just next to it. The back of the parking light needs to be opened up. It needs to be large enough for the bulb to fit through, but small enough so that the pvc fitting doesn't fall in. The large end of the pvc fitting needs to be trimmed off (opposite the end with the lip). After it is trimmed off, you can set it on the back of the parking light. It needs to have a slight curve carved into it so that it fits the curve of the back of the light. Make sure to remove enough material for the PVC fitting so that the bulb fits into the hole of the light. If it isn't in far enough, the light won't be bright enough. Don't cut to much, or the bulb will contact with the front lens and could be too hot and melt it.
#2
This shows the gluing of the PVC part onto the back of the parking light. I use liquid nails because I typically have a tube around from household projects. Use the epoxy of your choice. Just get it coated good to fill in the gaps from the rough dremel cuts.
In regard to the wiring, you need a socket as shown and an 1157 bulb. These are dual filament bulbs. There are 2 wires, one is low which is for parking, the other is high, which is for the turn signal. The case of the socket is the ground. Put the bulb in and test to find which is bright. Simply ground the socket to the negative of your battery, and touch one wire to positive. Then try the other wire. Remember which is which. I drill a tiny hole in the clip part and solder another wire on it to use for the ground since it can't ground through the pvc.
You need to determine on your parking light which side is positive. Easiest way is to unclip the parking light (if you didn't to do the cutting). Turn on the parking lights, take a voltmeter or test light, and put one lead into one side of the parking light plug. Put the other to ground. If you get voltage, that is it. If not, try the other side. Then mark the corresponding side of the bulb side of the plug + and -. The turn signal is much easier. It has 2 wires, one that goes into the center of the bulb, one that goes to the side. The center is positive, the side is negative.
Now that you have the positive and negative sides marked and know what the bright/dim wires are on the new bulb, time to connect them. Personally, I solder mine and wrap in electrical tape. Make sure the + for the parking goes to dim, the + for turn goes to the bright. You really only have to connect the - wire you put on the socket case to one of the two ground wires for the lights. I typically use the turn signal ground wire. The parking ground (unsure if it really grounds, which is why I opt not to use it) remains empty, so cover it over with some tape.
Your new light is now ready to install. I will post more updates when the weather clears and I can get outside to fit it into my truck. Minor mods are needed on the truck.
#3
The last modification needed to install the lights is the pound in the seam that is right behind the headlights. Otherwise the bulb on the parking light won't fit since there is a clip that fits into the fender meaning the light has to go in straight rather than angled. Pics of before/after of the pounding of the seam. The passenger side I cut first with the angle grinder just to make it bend a little easier. Not necessary really.
Last edited by Patroller; 04-06-2019 at 07:32 PM. Reason: pics
The following users liked this post:
RAD4Runner (04-06-2019)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
willywillyk
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners
14
01-14-2013 04:14 PM