LED front indicators / running lights.

[makeitfit]

I have been smashing front indicators for a while now and have now binned them in favour of some nice LED ones :wink:
Eventually I'll be doing an exo cage but in the mean time cast your eyes over this little mod :p
Here's the damage I started with, both wings cuffed, both indicators trashed :1087:
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130511_174825_zps22ef0929.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130511_174825_zps22ef0929.jpg.html)
The other side's just the same and you'll also note that the grill is broken after some extreme snow bashing last month.
So time to get it sorted and glass fibre it for some local repair strength.
Cleaned up the mud and cracks then clamped and tied it all ready for GRP
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130511_210313_zpsabc522b3.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130511_210313_zpsabc522b3.jpg.html)
Looks heath robinson but worked a treat . You'll see here I've also glassed up the old indicator holes ready for the LED conversion.
I just taped a bit of card board to the hole and slapped on the glass.
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130511_232021_zpsaf063678.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130511_232021_zpsaf063678.jpg.html)
Here's the other side after a quick clean up, ready for a 1st fill. I'm using glass fibre filler for extra strength.
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_142800_zps59d7f55a.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_142800_zps59d7f55a.jpg.html)
Now you get the feel of the final shape now it's filled a bit more.It will end up being flush with the rest of the grill shape.
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_144245_zps10c54f2b.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_144245_zps10c54f2b.jpg.html)
Here's the LED units I'm fitting. They're side and indicator ones. Water proof too.
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_144747_zps56bdd268.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_144747_zps56bdd268.jpg.html)
Next a quick template out of the box they came in and the wife's chopping board. I got a rollocking last time for using the table :blowup:
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_154322_zps7b84b659.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_154322_zps7b84b659.jpg.html)
Part 2 coming up, photo restrictions apply :eck05:

[threedogs]

I just brought them to put on my roofrack as clearance lights, lol go figure

[makeitfit]

I marked out the position I wanted and cut 2 holes to start the cuts from.
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_155944_zps233ad464.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_155944_zps233ad464.jpg.html)
Then got a decent fine blade in the Jig saw and cut the rest out to the size of the template ;)
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_160447_zps202cd16a.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_160447_zps202cd16a.jpg.html)
Then a little filing and a trial fit :clapping:
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_161805_zpscb48336f.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_161805_zpscb48336f.jpg.html)
Next some ordinary filler to smooooooth things out and get ready for paint.
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_183737_zps10e50307.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_183737_zps10e50307.jpg.html)
A quick spray up of any old porsche metalic , just to see where else needs filling and sanding.
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_210010_zps6e008767.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_210010_zps6e008767.jpg.html)
Yep, still fits :bananarock:
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130512_210059_zps40e0c898.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130512_210059_zps40e0c898.jpg.html)
Got the final filler and sanding done , mainly .
Primed it with a couple of good coats and so ready for a flat back and then paint it all black mmmm
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130513_225644_zps0ef7f87c.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130513_225644_zps0ef7f87c.jpg.html)
Then got a top coat of black and got this
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130514_195823_zps7f6d96fc.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130514_195823_zps7f6d96fc.jpg.html)
I've got to get the grill on the truck when it eventually stops raining :mad: but you get the drift :gday:
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130514_195733_zps13cdf2db.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130514_195733_zps13cdf2db.jpg.html)
I'll get some wired up shots next day or two

[makeitfit]

I just brought them to put on my roofrack as clearance lights, lol go figure
Ha no room for roof racks where I end up:/ Trees tend to chew them up a bit lol

[threedogs]

To me they looked like the biggest brightest led, DRL leds on fleaay and for the price cheap as chips.
Haven't fired mine up yet ,but interested in what you think of them, Can you do any mods over there?
no British motor approval etc
Cost $10 AU free post a pair

looks like a good mod if into DRL leds more so GQ than GU

Gee are you a chippie plenty of drill holes on your work horses

[makeitfit]

Yep easy regs compared to Aus by the sound of it ;) I can't believe you can't even put gauges on your dash ?!
They cost £24 over here for a pair .

[threedogs]

Yeah all line of sight BS, but would be unlucky to be pinged for it .
If using those lights for DRL i would use the pattern of nissan grill one \ that way other / this way.

[rusty_nail]

what are you doing about indicators?

[BigRAWesty]

Looks good. Are they split indicator/ side lights?

[Petit caillou]

Looks good. Are they split indicator/ side lights?

shout out the window, I will soon turn right

[taslucas]

Looking good mate. I like that your not scared to just "makeitfit" haha. I reckon it'll look good once on:-) Just wondering if you'll crack the grill in the same place as the indicator was? Would it be much stronger there now? At least the old indicators were replaceable lol, time to get barred up!

[threedogs]

Yeah they are amber and white Just brought a set as per post for $10 on Ebay free post'
Each light has a row of white and a row of "amber leds, buyers name is 5season88'
Just a thought but could you use late model GQ side lamps on front guard ,not sure if just parkers or indicators.
Mind you like your idea better, would work well as DRLs ,

[makeitfit]

Yerp, indicator and Day driver light. I'm barring up as soon as I can :/
I've got new head lights in some time back which have the side light bulb in them. So for park and side light, that's where it'll be.
The fibreglass is pretty tough but it wont hold back 2 tons of angry Trol :)
The LEDs are replacable and I have a couple as spares, but hope they're set in enough not to take too many direct hits.

[menace 2]

They look good makeitfit...I like it...they would probably be brighter than my stock 20 year old headlights hahahahahahahaha (up-grading them soon !)
I hope you got a couple of sets of them..I dont think they would be around as long as originals ( or a spare grill just in case )

If these blokes here say they are "Barring up " they mean something different !..

[hershal]

looks the goods mate, I have the same issue with my Lights however I managed to smash my whole grill, might be time to get a new one and do some mods before putting it in

[makeitfit]

One of the problems over here is it's a real pain to get the lights in the first place. Nissan want 1 whole arm and half a leg for one. I've had to buy from Aus before now. Same with the grill, they're mega bucks :/ So it's fix it or mod it round here ;)

[Clunk]

Got the grill back on yet?........... looks good so far by the way

MCCrappatappalot signing in!!!

[Brisat]

absolute crap those lights, lasted about 10 days before the led's started to go out. Indicator led's are in between the bigger ones can hardly see them when they are turned on

[Clunk]

absolute crap those lights, lasted about 10 days before the led's started to go out. Indicator led's are in between the bigger ones can hardly see them when they are turned on

He lives in the UK mate, so they're only for show lol

Don't slap it, tap it!!!!

[makeitfit]

Darn it ?@! I only chose them 'cause they were the right size, doh. Ah well I've got 4 all together so I reckon that's nearly 6 weeks ? Still longer lasting than the old ones lol
What you mean " just for show" ? Bloody cheek, I'll have you know the bobbies round here are very keen to see which way I'm going ;)

[taslucas]

Darn it ?@! I only chose them 'cause they were the right size, doh. Ah well I've got 4 all together so I reckon that's nearly 6 weeks ? Still longer lasting than the old ones lol
What you mean " just for show" ? Bloody cheek, I'll have you know the bobbies round here are very keen to see which way I'm going ;)

Or to see which tree your aiming at hahaha

[makeitfit]

Got a bit more done this afternoon.
Had to make up some brackets to hold the little buggers in. Found some old alu in the garage and so went at it :biggrin:
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130526_133146_zps50a77b85.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130526_133146_zps50a77b85.jpg.html)
Drilled a hole each end to line up with the ones on the LEDs
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130526_143420_zps52986e20.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130526_143420_zps52986e20.jpg.html)
The originals in the box weren't up to the modded situ. Here you can see what's going on :o
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130526_135636_zpsa27633ba.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130526_135636_zpsa27633ba.jpg.html)
First fix on the beast went well :1056:
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130526_183704_zps10e4249d.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130526_183704_zps10e4249d.jpg.html)
Will need some more time now to finish the job with the wiring Running the side lights into the headlight units now and then a new feed for the day running lights.
http://i667.photobucket.com/albums/vv36/daudwpsyn/20130526_183714_zps472929c0.jpg (http://s667.photobucket.com/user/daudwpsyn/media/20130526_183714_zps472929c0.jpg.html)
Looks so much better for a bit of sunshine too :thumbup:

[taslucas]

Looks good mate, funny how different it makes the whole front look. Looks a bit more like a defender.
Good stuff.

[threedogs]

Thankyou Lucas couldn't find the word, DEFENDER
Makeitfit did you find Brackets not strong enough
looking good BTW, till next tree, try steering around them
awesome fun, try it next time lol

[taslucas]

looking good BTW, till next tree, try steering around them
awesome fun, try it next time lol

Nah just hoop that bar!! Hoop it mate, you can hit more stuff then:-)

[Clunk]

It's not the trees you've got to watch out for, it's all the little welshmen chasing sheep mate!!!!! Lmfao

Don't slap it, tap it!!!!

[threedogs]

We call them KIWI's over here, Thus the ANZAC connection
Wheres the plugs for the end of your bars, I'm telling lol muuuuuuuumm

[makeitfit]

Wheres the plugs for the end of your bars, I'm telling lol muuuuuuuumm
I didn't do it , Daaaaaaddd he's pickin' on me :/
Well spotted, as always ;) I didn't bother in the end as I'm building an exo cage. There's some funky elbow bits to fit in the ends of the bar to join up with the bit that shrouds the wheel arch. All will become clear when I post that project .
I hadn't twigged the Defender similarity ! Went out and had a look again just now and bugger me you're right, rats ? That wasn't part of the plan lol
Brackets are belt and braces really, they'll be fine for normal driving but I reckon any tree will win over a bit of alu. I've put a bead of black silicone on the back edge of the LED too, that'll do most of the holding in.
We'll soon find out lol

[makeitfit]

Here's a quick vid of the trees that keep jumping out at me lol I missed them this time but follow the links for a guaranteed clout somewhere ?
http://youtu.be/6EJLKHawKlA

[Drew]

Looks good bud

[threedogs]

You can buy those black butt welded steam fittings in 45 or 90 to weld on the ends to give you a swept back look
are we on the same page, ?? elbows I'm talking about already bevelled to except a decent weld, Used here on Boiler and steam
Reasonably cheap to

[MudRunnerTD]

That looks great mate!! Well done! now i need to find CHROME paint in a spray pack ;)

[phelonius]

Have to agree with everyone else, it does look very good.

[makeitfit]

You can buy those black butt welded steam fittings in 45 or 90 to weld on the ends to give you a swept back look
are we on the same page, ?? elbows I'm talking about already bevelled to except a decent weld, Used here on Boiler and steam
Reasonably cheap to

Exactly the same page , cheers. I'll have a spy this side of the globe ;)

[makeitfit]

That looks great mate!! Well done! now i need to find CHROME paint in a spray pack ;)

I know you can get a pretty effective Chrome powder coat now ;)

[Mudveins]

that looks amazing and what a brilliant idea. definatley going to put that on the list of mods to do:)