Clear Indicators
Discussion
Searching through the forum there are loads of posts about switching the front indicators from yellow to clear. Though I'd add my own version seeing as I've just started the job in case anyone finds it useful.
I've managed to get a couple of decent condition clear lens from eBay, but they don't have reflectors. As per the following post I'm going to try and fashion some from some flexible mirror sheets - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Starting off the inspection hatches were removed from inside the front wheel arches. Just a couple of Phillips screws to undo.
Then reach through and unscrew the bulb holder from the actual lens and pull it out through the hatch
Looking in you'll now see the actual lens that needs to be removed.
The lens was bonded in on my car, but only around the top part. Zooming in as per the next pic, at the top of the lens is the piece of sealant I started to pick and lift. This was then gently pulled out until no more sealant was present.
Now it was time to knock the light out. They have to be pushed back inside the body from the front. I placed the handle end of a rubber mallet against the top part of the lens and hit the other end with a small lump hammer. The offside lens was pretty much ready to come out as it was. The nearside needed a couple of taps. Nothing crazy or over the top, just a gentle but solid hit and they should pop out.
And hopefully the following is what you should be left with if you ever decide to try the same. First pic is the nearside half way out.
And a quick trial fit. Nothing bonded in yet as I'm waiting for the mirror sheets and bulbs to arrive tomorrow. Will update this once its completed. Still not sure how to re-bond them in. Have seen people talk about superglue, sealant or even araldite. Will have a think about this tonight as I have all 3 options already in the garage.
I've managed to get a couple of decent condition clear lens from eBay, but they don't have reflectors. As per the following post I'm going to try and fashion some from some flexible mirror sheets - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Starting off the inspection hatches were removed from inside the front wheel arches. Just a couple of Phillips screws to undo.
Then reach through and unscrew the bulb holder from the actual lens and pull it out through the hatch
Looking in you'll now see the actual lens that needs to be removed.
The lens was bonded in on my car, but only around the top part. Zooming in as per the next pic, at the top of the lens is the piece of sealant I started to pick and lift. This was then gently pulled out until no more sealant was present.
Now it was time to knock the light out. They have to be pushed back inside the body from the front. I placed the handle end of a rubber mallet against the top part of the lens and hit the other end with a small lump hammer. The offside lens was pretty much ready to come out as it was. The nearside needed a couple of taps. Nothing crazy or over the top, just a gentle but solid hit and they should pop out.
And hopefully the following is what you should be left with if you ever decide to try the same. First pic is the nearside half way out.
And a quick trial fit. Nothing bonded in yet as I'm waiting for the mirror sheets and bulbs to arrive tomorrow. Will update this once its completed. Still not sure how to re-bond them in. Have seen people talk about superglue, sealant or even araldite. Will have a think about this tonight as I have all 3 options already in the garage.
I would question whether you need to add a reflector at all.
I say this because I have replaced all the bulbs on my Mk1 with LED bulbs (except the headlights for annoying legal reasons).
The LED bulbs are a direct swap, just need to ensure you get the right polarisation of bulb for the indicators (mine are negative).
You would also need to get a replacement relay to operate LEDs - it's an electronic relay not a mechanical. It will operate older lights, but the older relay won't operate LEDs.
These are the bulbs I got.
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/products/2-x-clas...
I can heartily recommend this upgrade all round if you haven't considered it.
I spent around £100 in all, and it has made the car markedly more visible especially from the rear (if you have the earlier Ford light unit), and the extra bright reverse light is a godsend in the dark.
I say this because I have replaced all the bulbs on my Mk1 with LED bulbs (except the headlights for annoying legal reasons).
The LED bulbs are a direct swap, just need to ensure you get the right polarisation of bulb for the indicators (mine are negative).
You would also need to get a replacement relay to operate LEDs - it's an electronic relay not a mechanical. It will operate older lights, but the older relay won't operate LEDs.
These are the bulbs I got.
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/products/2-x-clas...
I can heartily recommend this upgrade all round if you haven't considered it.
I spent around £100 in all, and it has made the car markedly more visible especially from the rear (if you have the earlier Ford light unit), and the extra bright reverse light is a godsend in the dark.
With the ever increasing scarcity of the Land Rover lenses these are another option
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364020960669
PabloGee said:
I would question whether you need to add a reflector at all.
I say this because I have replaced all the bulbs on my Mk1 with LED bulbs (except the headlights for annoying legal reasons).
The LED bulbs are a direct swap, just need to ensure you get the right polarisation of bulb for the indicators (mine are negative).
You would also need to get a replacement relay to operate LEDs - it's an electronic relay not a mechanical. It will operate older lights, but the older relay won't operate LEDs.
These are the bulbs I got.
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/products/2-x-clas...
I can heartily recommend this upgrade all round if you haven't considered it.
I spent around £100 in all, and it has made the car markedly more visible especially from the rear (if you have the earlier Ford light unit), and the extra bright reverse light is a godsend in the dark.
I have the later style round lights at the back so thats all good, but appreciate what you're saying.I say this because I have replaced all the bulbs on my Mk1 with LED bulbs (except the headlights for annoying legal reasons).
The LED bulbs are a direct swap, just need to ensure you get the right polarisation of bulb for the indicators (mine are negative).
You would also need to get a replacement relay to operate LEDs - it's an electronic relay not a mechanical. It will operate older lights, but the older relay won't operate LEDs.
These are the bulbs I got.
https://www.classiccarleds.co.uk/products/2-x-clas...
I can heartily recommend this upgrade all round if you haven't considered it.
I spent around £100 in all, and it has made the car markedly more visible especially from the rear (if you have the earlier Ford light unit), and the extra bright reverse light is a godsend in the dark.
I'll trial fit the bulbs and see what happens without reflectors. If I don't need them then great, but the material was only a couple quid from amazon so seemed silly not to order it just in case.
Plus I don't fancy led lights at the moment. Firstly coz I can't really be bothered
and secondly as I'm off to Le Mans on Wednesday so running out of time.phillpot said:
With the ever increasing scarcity of the Land Rover lenses these are another option
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364020960669
Mine were still cheaper https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/364020960669
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115630307874
But good call for anyone wanting to have a go at this.
So for the grand total of £24 we're all done !
No reflectors were needed (so will be returned) as they are more than bright enough as is. Few blobs of araldite to hold them in place. Once set I smeared some sealant around the circumferences and they are bonded in. Will give them a good 24hrs to set fully though. No pics of that as impossible to get my hand in there, apply sealant and take photos. Needed a couple more hands for that...
Overall I'm properly pleased.
No reflectors were needed (so will be returned) as they are more than bright enough as is. Few blobs of araldite to hold them in place. Once set I smeared some sealant around the circumferences and they are bonded in. Will give them a good 24hrs to set fully though. No pics of that as impossible to get my hand in there, apply sealant and take photos. Needed a couple more hands for that...
Overall I'm properly pleased.
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