LED Mirror Mod
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 31
From: Fort Worth, TX
Are your mirrors heated? That may be the reason for the wiring difference. I couldnt get any wire out. I have puddle lamps too. Maybe thats the difference? I dont really know. Once it was apart it was obvious the wire was bundled to the rear of the mirror so if I pulled any harder, no good would have come of it.
I followed the directions for removing the mirrors from another forum...dont know if its against the rules to post it so if anyone is interested just do a google search and you should find it easy enough. You need to unhinge the mirror from 3 points - its a delicate operation. Getting it back on is also one too.
I guess at the end of the day, if you have enough slack in your wires to go through the puddle lamp hole, go for it. Theres no reason to take it apart otherwise.
I followed the directions for removing the mirrors from another forum...dont know if its against the rules to post it so if anyone is interested just do a google search and you should find it easy enough. You need to unhinge the mirror from 3 points - its a delicate operation. Getting it back on is also one too.
I guess at the end of the day, if you have enough slack in your wires to go through the puddle lamp hole, go for it. Theres no reason to take it apart otherwise.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 31
From: Fort Worth, TX
Originally Posted by Pool Runner 
Awesome, I too have wondered why there is an amber reflector but no light in there? I was just thinking about starting a thread about this, but I want to mod mine to stay on with the park/ headlamps like they do on the Superduty & Toyota Tundra as an example. Anyway looks good on yours.
Awesome, I too have wondered why there is an amber reflector but no light in there? I was just thinking about starting a thread about this, but I want to mod mine to stay on with the park/ headlamps like they do on the Superduty & Toyota Tundra as an example. Anyway looks good on yours.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 2
good idea ThirdsACharm however, LED's are very particular about incoming voltage. 12v LEDs will have a very small voltage operating range before you'll damage them. usually in a case like that you'd want to use two different kinds of Leds based on their light output. I've seen the LED strips like I used in my mirrors with 2 circuits in them and for this exact purpose....
great mod though, I'm a big fan of lights. anything to improve visability without looking hideous
great mod though, I'm a big fan of lights. anything to improve visability without looking hideous
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 31
From: Fort Worth, TX
good idea ThirdsACharm however, LED's are very particular about incoming voltage. 12v LEDs will have a very small voltage operating range before you'll damage them. usually in a case like that you'd want to use two different kinds of Leds based on their light output. I've seen the LED strips like I used in my mirrors with 2 circuits in them and for this exact purpose....
great mod though, I'm a big fan of lights. anything to improve visability without looking hideous
great mod though, I'm a big fan of lights. anything to improve visability without looking hideous
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 6
From: Ketchikan, AK.
Just wanted to comment on this - I've seen it where someone used the existing signal wire and a newly-routed parking light wire together for this mod. They used 2 diodes per mirror (keeps the current going only in one direction) and a resistor on the parking light wire (so the parking light wasnt as bright as the signal light) and at the end of the day the LED was both a running light and a signal. Pretty sweet mod if you feel like finding the way to run the parking light wire to the mirror. If you are going to take the time to do that wire-routing, the electrical components are really cheap to also make it a blinker. If you search google for something like "f150 reflectors to blinkers diode" I think you would find a diagram, etc. Just a suggestion if you havent thought of it. Would be cool as just a running lamp too!
Great mod for that price!!
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,873
Likes: 1
From: Phx, AZ
Forgive me..... What is a puddle lamp? I would like to do this mod. Bu not sure what a puddle lamp is referring to.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,295
Likes: 2
Puddle lamps are mounted on the bottom of the mirror, facing the ground. The idea is to have some light in the area of the door, so you don't step into a puddle as you approach the vehicle.
I guess I'm weird - I prefer my truck stay 100% dark when I approach...
I guess I'm weird - I prefer my truck stay 100% dark when I approach...
. Now what?
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
I personally think the amber lights look much better than the blacked out lights. I mean after all it is about safety and seeing the turn signal clearer...and the blacked out mod is not helping that especially in the daytime.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 265
Likes: 31
From: Fort Worth, TX
@Fire Rooster - There should be a cap on the base of the mirror where the puddle lamp would be if you had them. You can pry that little cap off and go through there. If you dont have a cap, you have to take the mirror apart.
@PrinceValium - Yeah, the reflecting qualities are compromised with the blackout.
Though the LEDs burn through fine even in daytime.
From a maximizing safety perspective, probably best to leave them amber.
At this point, its clear I am just never going to grow up and some things I am going to do because they "look cool" (even if only to me!)
@PrinceValium - Yeah, the reflecting qualities are compromised with the blackout.
Though the LEDs burn through fine even in daytime.
From a maximizing safety perspective, probably best to leave them amber.
At this point, its clear I am just never going to grow up and some things I am going to do because they "look cool" (even if only to me!)