Aviator's Courtesy Light Mod
Apr 21, 2010 | 03:19 PM
#1
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From: COTKU,Ontario,Canada
Aviator's Courtesy Light Mod
This is a mod I've been thinking about for sometime and Ritzy's Safety Light mod has inspired me to get rolling on it. So here it begins... This is a work in progress and is not yet complete. Consider this a teaser LOL I'll post some more info in the next few days as I complete the rough in.
Many high class vehicles offer a small light on the bottom of the door that lights up the immediate area around the door so you can see anything you might be about to step in/on before you get out. It also calls a little attention to the open door to warn others albeit not as well as the red safety lights found on the SR5 models did. In my research I found the best lights seemed to be found on Mercedes cars.
These lights are from a 124 body Mercedes (300 series) [they are also found on the 500 series models] from the mid 80s to early 90s. If you can't find them in a yard you can get them from any MB dealer for $6.25/CDN just ask for courtesy light lenses for a 124 body sedan.
This is the light in the stock MB location in the bottom of the map pocket.
As you can see it sits proud of the bottom by a little less that 1/8".
To remove them insert a standard screwdriver in the trailing edge of the lens and gently pry it out (if removing from rear doors pry on leading edge).
This is what you get when remove the lens. The power wires are attached to the assembly with standard spade connectors so modifying for our use is a breeze.
I'm holding it up against the metal door bottom of an 89-95 4runner door here as you can see it will fit size wise. I have'nt checked yet to see if they will fit with the door closed so if you don't have map pockets to mount them in either proceed at your own risk or wait until I find a wrecked door to test it on LOL.
That's all for now I have the rough measurements to cut to fit the lenses but I want to verify the specific size before I post it for all to see.
oh heck... rough dims to cut are 1" x 1.75" the lens assembly is 5/8" deep.
Many high class vehicles offer a small light on the bottom of the door that lights up the immediate area around the door so you can see anything you might be about to step in/on before you get out. It also calls a little attention to the open door to warn others albeit not as well as the red safety lights found on the SR5 models did. In my research I found the best lights seemed to be found on Mercedes cars.
These lights are from a 124 body Mercedes (300 series) [they are also found on the 500 series models] from the mid 80s to early 90s. If you can't find them in a yard you can get them from any MB dealer for $6.25/CDN just ask for courtesy light lenses for a 124 body sedan.
This is the light in the stock MB location in the bottom of the map pocket.
As you can see it sits proud of the bottom by a little less that 1/8".
To remove them insert a standard screwdriver in the trailing edge of the lens and gently pry it out (if removing from rear doors pry on leading edge).
This is what you get when remove the lens. The power wires are attached to the assembly with standard spade connectors so modifying for our use is a breeze.
I'm holding it up against the metal door bottom of an 89-95 4runner door here as you can see it will fit size wise. I have'nt checked yet to see if they will fit with the door closed so if you don't have map pockets to mount them in either proceed at your own risk or wait until I find a wrecked door to test it on LOL.
That's all for now I have the rough measurements to cut to fit the lenses but I want to verify the specific size before I post it for all to see.
oh heck... rough dims to cut are 1" x 1.75" the lens assembly is 5/8" deep.
Last edited by aviator; Apr 21, 2010 at 03:52 PM.
Apr 21, 2010 | 03:34 PM
#3
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From: Ahwahnee, CA
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