Discussion
Hi, I posted this
in general gassing and got directed to a few places (namely www.s-v-c.co.uk) for parts. But I was hoping more kit-car people may be able to help further.
What I want to do is add a reversing light (I drive around in the dark so it would be handy to have a manual switching rear light), a fog lamp while nice isn't as important. I don't however, want to "add" them on in such a manner it's obvious I've stuck a couple of lights on the rear.
What I was thinking is replace the existing clusters, instead of a reflector put a reversing light on one side, fog on the other. Is this possible?
The other idea I had was from the YKC catalogue, where the rear lump of the car had to small round lights in, so the other question is, is it hard to drill fibre-glass, or rather is it easy to drill a hole without splitting the body work, damaging the paint...?
Cheers
docevi1 said:
Hi,
can anyone do one of 2 things for me please, either
a) identify the light cluster in the following pic
It looks like a Mini Van/Estate cluster but appears slightly larger and is completely flat not stepped like the Mini's.
b) The reason I'm asking is I would like to upgrade the rear of the car to feature a reversing light (that would be nice) and a fog lamp, there are places they could go on the car, but non would look as nice as intergration into the existing cluster (I'm not a mechanic or a body specalist so have to be very simple mods). Does anyone know of similar styled clusters which include a reversing light one side, fog lamp the other?
in general gassing and got directed to a few places (namely www.s-v-c.co.uk) for parts. But I was hoping more kit-car people may be able to help further.
What I want to do is add a reversing light (I drive around in the dark so it would be handy to have a manual switching rear light), a fog lamp while nice isn't as important. I don't however, want to "add" them on in such a manner it's obvious I've stuck a couple of lights on the rear.
What I was thinking is replace the existing clusters, instead of a reflector put a reversing light on one side, fog on the other. Is this possible?
The other idea I had was from the YKC catalogue, where the rear lump of the car had to small round lights in, so the other question is, is it hard to drill fibre-glass, or rather is it easy to drill a hole without splitting the body work, damaging the paint...?
Cheers
Think the lights shown are from a company such as Wipac (don't know for sure) and you used to get them on the back of milk floats among other things. Maybe still do.
Regarding replacing the reflectors with lights, as refelctors are a legal requirement, that's technically a no-no. Having said that, I used to have a hot rod Ford Pop that never had reflectors, so unless you need to get through SVA you might be able to get away with it. However, I think you'd find trying to modify the lights more hassle than it's worth.
Drilling GRP isn't hard and it certainly won't split it. Main danger is chipping the gel coat around the hole, but any light unit is likely to be big enough to cover it if it happens.
Not sure what sort of car you're dealing with here, but if it has a bumper, have you considered 'under bumper' units?
Finally, if having a manually switched reversing light you'll also need a warning light on the dashboard.
Regarding replacing the reflectors with lights, as refelctors are a legal requirement, that's technically a no-no. Having said that, I used to have a hot rod Ford Pop that never had reflectors, so unless you need to get through SVA you might be able to get away with it. However, I think you'd find trying to modify the lights more hassle than it's worth.
Drilling GRP isn't hard and it certainly won't split it. Main danger is chipping the gel coat around the hole, but any light unit is likely to be big enough to cover it if it happens.
Not sure what sort of car you're dealing with here, but if it has a bumper, have you considered 'under bumper' units?
Finally, if having a manually switched reversing light you'll also need a warning light on the dashboard.
thanks, I didn't realise the reflector was a legal requirement, guess that's why they are always on the clusters I have seen 
.
These are actually on a Marlin Roadster, but I can't decide weather they are default, standard issue ones (not sure if Marlin supplied the lights) or the builder put in third-party units. The build sheets suggest the later.
As for under bumper lights, the problem I have is that the rear of the car has brakets for a overhangy parcel shelf jobie, works well, but means that space on the bumper is severly limited. The other problem is that it'd look very much like it'd be bolted on to the side rather than meant to be there.
As for the switch, I reckoned on the notification light as well but for more practical than legal requirements.
thanks for the advice (goes out to look and fiddle)
edit::
the brackets fit into 2x2 box section struts which are welded either side of the number plate. then next to them is the rear of the chassis (leaf springs are in close proximity) and then a small overhang.
The place I was meaning to drill, or at least thinking about, is the fibreglass just above the bumer and installing a couple of round lights.
Still, I'm only thinking of playing.
>> Edited by docevi1 on Tuesday 6th January 10:28
. These are actually on a Marlin Roadster, but I can't decide weather they are default, standard issue ones (not sure if Marlin supplied the lights) or the builder put in third-party units. The build sheets suggest the later.
As for under bumper lights, the problem I have is that the rear of the car has brakets for a overhangy parcel shelf jobie, works well, but means that space on the bumper is severly limited. The other problem is that it'd look very much like it'd be bolted on to the side rather than meant to be there.
As for the switch, I reckoned on the notification light as well but for more practical than legal requirements.
thanks for the advice (goes out to look and fiddle)
edit::
the brackets fit into 2x2 box section struts which are welded either side of the number plate. then next to them is the rear of the chassis (leaf springs are in close proximity) and then a small overhang. The place I was meaning to drill, or at least thinking about, is the fibreglass just above the bumer and installing a couple of round lights.
Still, I'm only thinking of playing.
>> Edited by docevi1 on Tuesday 6th January 10:28
You shouldn't need much room for 'under bumber' lights as you're only talking about having a small right angled bracket screwed into the underside.
Agree they might end up looking 'stuck on' but that's what Morgan have had to do with the Plus 4 and Plus 8, and the result isn't too horrendous. Do a web (or magazine) search for some pics to see what I mean.
Looks from the pic that the Marlin has a fairly flat section above the bumper that might enable you to do what you where thinking about and flush fit a couple of round lights. Best sort to go for would probably be either Land Rover or Mini indicator type, for which you'll need about 3-3.5" of land, plus some some clear space behind the panel.
Agree they might end up looking 'stuck on' but that's what Morgan have had to do with the Plus 4 and Plus 8, and the result isn't too horrendous. Do a web (or magazine) search for some pics to see what I mean.
Looks from the pic that the Marlin has a fairly flat section above the bumper that might enable you to do what you where thinking about and flush fit a couple of round lights. Best sort to go for would probably be either Land Rover or Mini indicator type, for which you'll need about 3-3.5" of land, plus some some clear space behind the panel.
do you have any idea what depth the under bumper lights are? Is it just a random thing? I'll measure up and give s-v-c a ring.
Thanks Graham, mentioning the aero 8 made me do a search and answered another question that was forming in my brain
Now just to fix the petrol tank and I may be able to drive it again.
Thanks Graham, mentioning the aero 8 made me do a search and answered another question that was forming in my brain
Now just to fix the petrol tank and I may be able to drive it again.
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