If you decide to do something to your car because you saw it here, please give me credit where it is due! (link to my page w/ my name or something) Thanks.

Side Marker Installation, Page Updated January 27, 2008

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Project Completed in March-June 2007

I finally got around to completing the side markers I got in December 2006. I needed to put LEDs in these so that they would be bright enough and so that the light would shine out the sides.

I am not using these anymore, since my newest mirrors light up out the side just fine.

This is what I started with. You can see that the light doesn't actually shine out of the sides, so I had to cut out the Z so that light would come through.

First, I found the screws on the back by scraping off some of the tape, and I took them out.

The entire light came apart at that point.

See the chrome Z pieces in this pic? I cut out the Zs with my Dremel so that the light would shine out the Z opening.

Then I covered both sides of the opening with scotch tape, so that the light would be diffused, and you wouldn't be able to see the LEDs inside.

Now to put LEDs in them. After much deliberation, I decided to get some of these LED bulbs from Ebay. Since the side markers were only going to flash normally (they would be off most of the time), the LEDs would not burn out.

I simply removed the LED circuit board from the 1156 metal base and put it in the light and hooked up wires to it. Then I screwed it back together.

Then, I cut the opening with a 1 inch drill bit and fed the wires through. I used the stiff green wire under the hood to pull the side marker wires up through the fender. Then I wired the side marker to the turn signal.

I did not like that they were silver colored, so I painted them black.

Much better, and complete!

You can see the 3 1 watt LEDs a little behind the tape.

Now, it is very bright! Obviously, it uses 3 watts of LED power. It is easy to see during the day.

You can see the side marker from the front. At this point, I have the brighter LEDs in the head lights and I have switched the mirrors and bumper lights to a bright-dim configuration.

You can see the side marker from the back. Lots of LEDs for the turn signal! You can see some of the blue LEDs I have put inside the car.

No problem seeing my signal from the side, so now there is no confusion when I am changing lanes on the highway!

Again, I am not using side markers anymore because my newest mirrors can be seen from the side, and I liked the car without the side markers on it because it looked cleaner.

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Don't forget that if you have any help, advice, comments, criticisms, or questions about my car and future mods, please sign my Guest book!

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Table of Contents

My Corolla Today
Page 1: Current Exterior
Page 2: Current Interior
Page 3: Current Engine
Page 4: Current Audio

Corolla Time Lines
Page 5: Phase Time Line
Page 6: Detailed Time Line

Other Stuff
Page 7: Photoshop
Page 8: Look at this page before you buy replacement LED bulbs
Page 9: Details on my current and future mods
Page 10: For Sale!

DIYs and Project Write-ups
Page 11: Bumper light LED retrofit 1
Page 12: Third Brake light LED retrofit
Page 13: Diablo Mirror LED replacement
Page 14: Taillight LED Retrofit 1
Page 15: High Beam DRL Mod
Page 16: Bumper Light LED Retrofit 2, PLUS detailed description of how I do LED mods
Page 17: Painting preparation (details on my fenders, grille, trunk, and Bondo)
Page 18: Side marker LED retrofit and installation
Page 19: HID fog lights and headlights
Page 20: Interior painting, modifications, and exterior trim painting
Page 21: Installing Halo/LED/Projector headlights
Page 22: Mirror cover LED replacement
Page 23: Installing a new stereo and speakers
Page 24: Body kit installation, front end conversion, and other body work for round 2
Page 25: Retrofitting LEDs into my third mirrors and front turn signals
Page 26: Putting interior LEDs behind the dash and in all the buttons and all over the interior
Page 27: LED tail light retrofit 2 and baking your lights in the oven to remove the lens