ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

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maytag
Posts: 1789
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:22 pm
Your car is a: 1976 124 spider
Location: Rocky Mountains....UTAH! (Not Colorado)

ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by maytag »

I've done some searching, and there doesn't seem to be a definitive thread about this.
I just removed the bumpers, and now I'm looking at some options for turn signals. I'm toying with the idea of some led's, tastefully drilled into the chrome headlight trim ring.... Not sure how the flasher unit will respond to that? (Right now, with the front turns missing, there doesn't seem to be enough load to make it flash more than once)

I've looked at the headlights with the turns built into them, but there doesn't seem to be a high-quality option that doesn't cost $300/pair. (Anyone know of an inexpensive but non-cheesey source?)

I've seen what some of y'all have done with off-the-shelf universal-type turns, and some of them I like... but haven't found the right look that way yet.

So post up pics of your own solutions!?
Let's see what ya did?
costs and other details are also helpful.

By the way: I LOVE my Spider! Drove it today in the snow.... just 'cuz I had to road-test a couple of things... and man, what a hoot to drive! 8)
I'm no Boy-Racer..... but if I can't take every on-ramp at TWICE the posted limit.... I'm a total failure!
zachmac
Posts: 1278
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2008 9:20 am
Your car is a: 1978 Spider [1979 2 ltr engine]
Location: Aiken, SC

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by zachmac »

Most folks mount a set in one of three spots; the bumper holes, the rectangular outboard holes or in the grill. I just installed the set that Mark Allison sells in the bumper hole location. Looks jsut like the red car in the picture above. the down side to this is of course you can't do that AND any sort of bumperettes.
Jeff Klein, Aiken, SC
1980 FI Spider, Veridian with Tan (sold about a year ago), in the market for another project
1989 Spider, sold
2008 Mercedes SL65
2008 S600 Mercedes V12
htchevyii
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Joined: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:31 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider hers 1972 Spider his
Location: Hydesville, CA (NorCal)

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by htchevyii »

zachmac wrote:Most folks mount a set in one of three spots; the bumper holes, the rectangular outboard holes or in the grill. I just installed the set that Mark Allison sells in the bumper hole location. Looks jsut like the red car in the picture above. the down side to this is of course you can't do that AND any sort of bumperettes.
I've been eyeing this for awhile, they even have driving lamps. The only thing is that the lamp is a single filliment, so that might need to be changed if you want parking & turn sigs. They do look pretty good for$100. per pair.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/acvw-air-co ... -3305.html
Trey
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1982 SPIDER 2000, 1964 CHEVYII, 1969 Chevy Nova, 2005 DODGE RAM, 1988 Jeep Comanche
1972 Spider, 78 Spider rat racer 57 f-100,
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by narfire »

I used a rear turn signal from a honda motorcycle and attatched to the shackle that holds the round bumper tubes. I can then use the bumper holes for the bumper-ettes.
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Hope this helps
Chris
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
Newell33

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by Newell33 »

I too have been looking for a good turn signal option. I plan on using the round holes for bumperettes, otherwise Mark's option would be considered. I'd like to see a good alternative for mounting the turn signals in the rectangular hole. I'd really like something that fills the hole well, and looks like it was intended to be there from the factory. Keep the photos coming.

Thanks,
Josh
So Cal Mark

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by So Cal Mark »

you could mount my lights in an alternative location and still use the bumper holes for some time of bumper block. The trouble with using the rectangular holes is that they really aren't rectangular, and they have a pretty steep curve to them. Most lights stuck in there just look like an add-on rather than an integral part of the car.
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by narfire »

I'll agree with Mark. The bolt on turn signal although working great looks bolted on.
With a bit of metal fabrication,one could use the vent holes and like the pictures, fabricate a smaller opening where the tubes went for the bumperettes.
wish I found this forum before finishing off my car.
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
azygoustoyou

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by azygoustoyou »

Check out these ones. The whole headlight blinks on the one.
http://www.nationalhotrodsupply.com/AL-headlights.htm
So Cal Mark

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by So Cal Mark »

headlamp blinking? umm, maybe not a good idea on a high speed turn
azygoustoyou

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by azygoustoyou »

Yeah, I didn't think of that one. LOL :lol:
mbouse

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by mbouse »

headlight blinking is not a good idea... wonder if it would even be legal.

here's my first solution:
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note the amber portion of the headlight. it is a blinker and a running light.
ROOK1

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by ROOK1 »

Mike. Were you able to get the one bulb to act as two? What did you end up doing?
Btw I think this is the best option if you want those bumperettes, which I think is the best looking option out there.
mbouse

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by mbouse »

the bulb kit i used is this:
http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/cat/Truck/100T.html

which is all LED, headlight marker and turnsignal. the marker lights and the turnsignal bulbs occupy the same portion of the assembly. the LED headlights are B.R.I.G.H.T., especially with relays already in place.

i ended up putting a voltage reducing diode in place to reduce the brightness of the marker light to nine volts. seems the intensity of the supplied marker lights are identical to the intensity of the turn lights, making the turn lights invisible anytime the marker lights are on.

if i were to do it again, i'd NOT buy the three-way kit, i'd just do the headlights/turn signals and skip the marker lights.

i knew that i'd eventually add driving lights to the grill area, and since i drive 98% of the time during the day with night time driving only out of necessity... i am reasonably satisfied with my results.
Image
i use the driving lights always, and the headlights/markers only at night. that helps others see my turn lights.

wish i had specifications on the LED's cuz.. i'd entertain increasing the voltage to the turn lamps if i knew how.
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boogiedude
Posts: 410
Joined: Mon Mar 02, 2009 5:22 am
Your car is a: 1978 spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, HI

Re: ideas for turnsignals after bumper removal

Post by boogiedude »

mbouse wrote:the bulb kit i used is this:
http://www.chevsofthe40s.com/cat/Truck/100T.html

which is all LED, headlight marker and turnsignal. the marker lights and the turnsignal bulbs occupy the same portion of the assembly. the LED headlights are B.R.I.G.H.T., especially with relays already in place.

i ended up putting a voltage reducing diode in place to reduce the brightness of the marker light to nine volts. seems the intensity of the supplied marker lights are identical to the intensity of the turn lights, making the turn lights invisible anytime the marker lights are on.

if i were to do it again, i'd NOT buy the three-way kit, i'd just do the headlights/turn signals and skip the marker lights.

i knew that i'd eventually add driving lights to the grill area, and since i drive 98% of the time during the day with night time driving only out of necessity... i am reasonably satisfied with my results.
Image
i use the driving lights always, and the headlights/markers only at night. that helps others see my turn lights.

wish i had specifications on the LED's cuz.. i'd entertain increasing the voltage to the turn lamps if i knew how.
How difficult was the installation and set up? I personally find that kit quite alluring. Definitely a contender for #1 solution for blinker sans-bumper
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