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Thread: Coverting the mirror indicators to Orange lenses

  1. #1
    Over The Pond
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    Coverting the mirror indicators to Orange lenses

    Ok people in England (and Australia)

    As you are aware, our stupid laws require that you have flashing side repeater lamps on the front of the vehicle.
    The MOT regs state that you must stand level with the rear bumper, move 1 meter to the left and then you must be able to see either the front indicator (impossible) or a side repeater lamp.
    If you have a 2002 or older model, you can buy an M3 type mirror that has Orange bulbs but none are available for the 2003.
    The indicators in the mirrors (on a 2003) fit legal criteria but all indicator lenses MUST be orange. The original Red lenses will not do.

    To avoid drilling a hole in your front fender for a side repeater lamp, I did this.........

    1. Remove the mirror cover to access the lamp. Red lamps are Verbotten !!!!



    2. Take a small drill and swiss cheese the lens. Be careful. It's easier to remove material than put it back.



    3. Take a junior hacksaw blade and cut the middle of the lens out.



    4. No going back now. Take various Files/Dremmel/what have you and smooth the hole out till it looks like this.



    5. Take a piece of card and make a template of the hole. (This bit makes you feel a bit like Chip Foose but a lot less talented)



    6. Transfer the outline onto a suitable Orange lens and draw it out



    7. Hack away with your drill and saw till you have the rough shape.



    8. Take your file/dremmel again and make the new orange lens the same shape as the hole in the original lens. Yes, this is the tricky part.
    File, measure, file, measure. Go slowly.



    9. When you are happy with the fit, glue the insert in.



    10. To finish off, and remove any last traces of the red lens, I painted the outline in black paint. Looks factory



    The results.........

    Video of the original Red lenses (Click on image to play)



    Pic of the new Orange lenses



    Video of the new Orange lenses (Click on image to play)





    Does it all make a difference? In my opinion No but now it is legal and will pass an MOT without having to fit side repeaters on the front.
    You might be lucky and get away with the originals for your MOT. It all depends on the guy doing the test but this way it's 100% even for a VOSA pull on the side of the road.
    Last edited by Adam; 05-25-2006 at 08:35 AM.

  2. #2
    El Capitan
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    Russ Dogg's Avatar
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    That looks pretty badazz. It's a lot better than a\having a marker on the fender.

    Rusty
    Rusty
    2006 F250 DSG HD
    Black 2003 #00023 - SOLD

    R.I.P Blake "Fuzion" Finnell

  3. #3
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    That's one slick azz MOD!

    You should make up a batch and sell them here for the other brothers in need.

    -Del

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    HD F150 SC's Avatar
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    Great job.
    Last edited by HD F150 SC; 05-25-2006 at 02:58 PM.

  5. #5
    Over The Pond
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    Quote Originally Posted by Delmustator
    That's one slick azz MOD!

    You should make up a batch and sell them here for the other brothers in need.

    -Del
    Hah, the price would be huuuuuuge. It's very time consuming to do each lens (whole day for both) as they are pretty delicate when they are cut away and the insert needs to be an exact fit. You just have to go slow.
    The problem is, over here you can't just go out and buy a new lamp if you screw it up. I'd have to order from ndebt and import them
    You can't see it on the pics but I made the pieces with a bevel so the new lens wouldn't slip through.

    I think it would probably be easier to french another lamp into the 03 housing and make an M3 style but I like my stealth look.

  6. #6
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    TX Harley Guy's Avatar
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    Nice! I really like little details like that that most people dont notice.

    Great job!

  7. #7
    World's Fastest Street HD
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    wow, nice work!!!!! thats some attention to detail there!

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    Would you please explain how you removed the mirror cover? I need to replace the bulbs in mine. Thanks Terry

  9. #9
    Over The Pond
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    I had to ask the same question last week as I couldn't work it out either.

    Tilt the mirror all the way down as far as you can and there are 2 small tabs that need to be lifted up (together) to release the back cover.
    A small torch helps as it's pretty dark in there.


  10. #10
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    Adam...Thanks for the help. I saw exactly what you were talkng about. Now I can change my bulbs. I did assume a torch is alike a flashlight here in the Deep South USA ! LOL. You are the man! Have a great day!

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