Switchback Turn Signals - DIY

I've decided to update my turn signal mirrors by adding a Diode Dynamics 6" switchback strip to the signals. Thanks goes out to all of the TW members that have done similar modifications and posted up their ideas, suggestions, etc., which allowed me to avoid the common pitfalls and issues. I hope that this post will build on the knowledge within the forum, help others out and give them the confidence to tackle some of these modifications for themselves. Not everyone has the time, money or desire to try these projects and I can appreciate that. In fact, I've seen a few posts recently from a company that is selling them for $100.

The total cost of the project for me was about $110, but this number depends on several factors. I chose to purchase a set of the turn signal light housings from another TW member for $30, but you could to use your own and save on this expense. I purchased the switchback from Diode Dynamics and used the Black Friday coupon, so I believe they were around $70 or so after shipping. I also needed to pick up some wire, silicon and some other miscellaneous items. So I was already over the $100 that they are being sold for, but I can't help but wonder if you really get what you pay for. I can't comment on the quality of these units, but doing these types of modifications for yourself, you know exactly what you have, you get the chose the components and you have some sense of pride when the jobs completed.

I figure that I probably spent about 10 hours total from beginning to end...spanning over 3 weeks.

I've included a few pictures during the process.

Process overview
1. Open up the lenses with a putty knife and and exacto knife. The plastic is fused together and you just need to crack them apart. Take your time.
2. Debur and clean up all edges and used a Dremel to cut out the black plastic ribs that hold the acrylic diffuser.
3. Used oven cleaner to remove the chrome on the inside of the lenses. Ended up painting the inside black where the chrome originally was. This provides the nice clean lines of the switchback...opposed to light being scattered everywhere.
4. I trimmed off the ends of the acrylic diffusors and epoxied them into the clear portion of the lenses. I didn't want to wrap or use nite shades to smoke the lens, but i also didn't like the way that you could see the LED strip through the clear lens. The diffusor actually hides the strip and provides a nice uniform light output.
5. Used JB weld to adhere the LED strip in the housing and permetex'd them all back up.
6. The driver is small enough to be tucked into the mirror itself as can be seen in the image. I was debating on keeping it in the door or just putting it in the mirror. The mirror is a better option in my opinion. Tight fit but it works (no rattles).
7. I made all of the electrical connections in the door and abandoned the original turn signal connector in the mirror (taped it up).

They turned out great and are bright. In the one image, you can see how bright it is with the headlights off. Once you turn on the headlights, the white will dim down slightly and are still bright and sharp looking, if I do say so myself.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to provide some guidance.

Enjoy and have fun!
Tom

 

I ordered a set of the new sequential Pixel switchbacks....cant wait to do this mod!

 

Do you have any pics or guidance for wiring in the door?

 

Good job OP, looks amazing!!!

 

I chose to run all 4 wires from the switchback driver back into the door and do all the wiring there.

The 4 wires are:
White - Dim White
Red - Bright White
Yellow - Turn
Black - Ground

I tapped the yellow and the black into the turn signal wires inside the door.
The white was tapped into the parking light wire (green) at the window switches.
The red was tapped into the ignition wire (white=driver, pink= passenger)

De sure to use a meter and measure the voltage to ensure you're tapping into the right circuit.

Personally, I don't or trust the positaps/crimps that I see used everywhere. I will strip back the wire and solder each of the connections. Once done, I'll tape or use heatshrink to seal everything back up. I just feel more comfortable soldering.

Good luck and have fun. Be sure to post pictures when done.

Tom

 

Thanks Tom! I appreciate your help. I plan on doing this tomorrow and was not 100% confident with the wiring. Your pics and guidance will definitely help.

 

nice job! Appreciate you sharing.
Thanks.

 

Send me a message of post if you run into any problems. I'll try me best to help you out.

Tom

 

How'd u run the wires to the strip? Like through the housing?

 

There are 3 wires from the switchback strip to the small enclosure containing the driver. there are 4 wires from the driver that need to be wired (as described above). I chose to mount the driver in the mirror assembly so the 4 wires get routed through the mirror assembly into the door (next to the preexisting wires). It is a tight fit.

Tom

 

How'd u get the wires into the plastic enclosure that houses the led strip?

 

I ran the wires through the original socket for the OEM light. Once the housing was opened up, I was able to remove the two metal pins and I used an exacto knife to open up the area a little more so I could get the 3 wires out. Once the wires were passed through, I epoxied the hole to keep the wires in place and the water out.

 

Gotcha. I'm currently working through the pros and cons of each different option. Thank you!

 

No problem...let me know if you have any further questions. I'd be interested to hear what direction you ended up going.