Smoked side markers
Smoked side markers
I know there are slight differences between aftermarket products, and I know some may look cheesy. I just wanted to know if anyone have any input on the differences between these two...
F&R Sidemarkers
F Sidemarkers
For some reason the second ones look closer to the oem ones to me. But I cant find any rear ones on ebay right now. Any advice from anyone that purchased them?
F&R Sidemarkers
F Sidemarkers
For some reason the second ones look closer to the oem ones to me. But I cant find any rear ones on ebay right now. Any advice from anyone that purchased them?
they both look like they are the oem shape to me. I have been meaning to get a set of smoked markers for my car i think they will look good. If you end up getting getting either of there let us know how they fit
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 242
the FR ones are actually better since they have an extra layer of plastic right before the actual reflecter part which kicks ***.. the F ones are more oem though thats for sure.. but i like the extra bubble one. have it on my car. it pops out alittle and looks good.
I'm going to bump this thread for new pics. There's no point in starting a new thread... side marker threads are a dime a dozen. However, perkman87 is in here and he was the recent inspiration for my getting these smoked markers. (Which aren't what he's showing here... those were an original pass at painting the lenses.)
The pics below are DEPO "smoked" lenses. The fronts came with an amber-coated, filament bulb, and I tried a number of LED's before concluding the filament bulbs looked best. The rears didn't come with a bulb, so I bought a $4 set at Advance Auto Parts. Unfortunately these bulbs look pink when lit, so now I'm waiting on a few different style red LED's from eBay before I replace the rears.
The only lesson learned is that these front lenses are marked LEFT and RIGHT. For whatever reason, they are slightly different. Make note of that if you're buying replacement markers. The rears are interchangable, although removing the rears is a total PITA. You will likely chip the plastic lens on the one being removed. I did, so I hope whatever bulbs I put in there don't require changing anytime soon.
So far, I'm really happy with they way they look against Sheer Silver paint available on the '03.
(They match the running light because I've got an amber LED there.)
The pics below are DEPO "smoked" lenses. The fronts came with an amber-coated, filament bulb, and I tried a number of LED's before concluding the filament bulbs looked best. The rears didn't come with a bulb, so I bought a $4 set at Advance Auto Parts. Unfortunately these bulbs look pink when lit, so now I'm waiting on a few different style red LED's from eBay before I replace the rears.
The only lesson learned is that these front lenses are marked LEFT and RIGHT. For whatever reason, they are slightly different. Make note of that if you're buying replacement markers. The rears are interchangable, although removing the rears is a total PITA. You will likely chip the plastic lens on the one being removed. I did, so I hope whatever bulbs I put in there don't require changing anytime soon.
So far, I'm really happy with they way they look against Sheer Silver paint available on the '03.
(They match the running light because I've got an amber LED there.)
I'm going to bump this thread for new pics. There's no point in starting a new thread... side marker threads are a dime a dozen. However, perkman87 is in here and he was the recent inspiration for my getting these smoked markers. (Which aren't what he's showing here... those were an original pass at painting the lenses.)
The pics below are DEPO "smoked" lenses. The fronts came with an amber-coated, filament bulb, and I tried a number of LED's before concluding the filament bulbs looked best. The rears didn't come with a bulb, so I bought a $4 set at Advance Auto Parts. Unfortunately these bulbs look pink when lit, so now I'm waiting on a few different style red LED's from eBay before I replace the rears.
The only lesson learned is that these front lenses are marked LEFT and RIGHT. For whatever reason, they are slightly different. Make note of that if you're buying replacement markers. The rears are interchangable, although removing the rears is a total PITA. You will likely chip the plastic lens on the one being removed. I did, so I hope whatever bulbs I put in there don't require changing anytime soon.
So far, I'm really happy with they way they look against Sheer Silver paint available on the '03.
(They match the running light because I've got an amber LED there.)
The pics below are DEPO "smoked" lenses. The fronts came with an amber-coated, filament bulb, and I tried a number of LED's before concluding the filament bulbs looked best. The rears didn't come with a bulb, so I bought a $4 set at Advance Auto Parts. Unfortunately these bulbs look pink when lit, so now I'm waiting on a few different style red LED's from eBay before I replace the rears.
The only lesson learned is that these front lenses are marked LEFT and RIGHT. For whatever reason, they are slightly different. Make note of that if you're buying replacement markers. The rears are interchangable, although removing the rears is a total PITA. You will likely chip the plastic lens on the one being removed. I did, so I hope whatever bulbs I put in there don't require changing anytime soon.
So far, I'm really happy with they way they look against Sheer Silver paint available on the '03.
(They match the running light because I've got an amber LED there.)
Just an idea, if you don't like the Red LEDs you get, you can always buy a can of Testers Red Transparent paint and put a very light coat on the 'pink' bulbs you got.
It is hard to get bulbs 'red' without reflectors or without using LEDs, but I think some Testers may do it. And that would keep the incandecent theme the same.
Rochester from my experience with ebay leds, they always end up dying withing a few months - especially on the exterior. Since then I've only gone with American leds - vleds, superbrightleds etc
You might want to consider these:
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/C...-p8194231.html
PM Dj Kevinmn, iirc he just installed those in his sidemarkers a few days ago.
You might want to consider these:
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/C...-p8194231.html
PM Dj Kevinmn, iirc he just installed those in his sidemarkers a few days ago.
I have leds similar to the ones below(they discontinued mine from V-leds) with the smoked side markers. They work well and they are bright enough to see them day and night.
http://cgi.ebay.com/194-168-Amber-Hi...item5d2c6328e0
http://cgi.ebay.com/194-168-Amber-Hi...item5d2c6328e0
I already ordered two pairs from ebay to play with: one as 5 emitters (four around the side, one in front), and the other as a "refractor" design, with angled plastic lenses intending to throw the light.
Guess I'm rolling the dice. That's OK.
Guess I'm rolling the dice. That's OK.
I'm going to bump this thread for new pics. There's no point in starting a new thread... side marker threads are a dime a dozen. However, perkman87 is in here and he was the recent inspiration for my getting these smoked markers. (Which aren't what he's showing here... those were an original pass at painting the lenses.)
The pics below are DEPO "smoked" lenses. The fronts came with an amber-coated, filament bulb, and I tried a number of LED's before concluding the filament bulbs looked best. The rears didn't come with a bulb, so I bought a $4 set at Advance Auto Parts. Unfortunately these bulbs look pink when lit, so now I'm waiting on a few different style red LED's from eBay before I replace the rears.
The only lesson learned is that these front lenses are marked LEFT and RIGHT. For whatever reason, they are slightly different. Make note of that if you're buying replacement markers. The rears are interchangable, although removing the rears is a total PITA. You will likely chip the plastic lens on the one being removed. I did, so I hope whatever bulbs I put in there don't require changing anytime soon.
So far, I'm really happy with they way they look against Sheer Silver paint available on the '03.
(They match the running light because I've got an amber LED there.)
The pics below are DEPO "smoked" lenses. The fronts came with an amber-coated, filament bulb, and I tried a number of LED's before concluding the filament bulbs looked best. The rears didn't come with a bulb, so I bought a $4 set at Advance Auto Parts. Unfortunately these bulbs look pink when lit, so now I'm waiting on a few different style red LED's from eBay before I replace the rears.
The only lesson learned is that these front lenses are marked LEFT and RIGHT. For whatever reason, they are slightly different. Make note of that if you're buying replacement markers. The rears are interchangable, although removing the rears is a total PITA. You will likely chip the plastic lens on the one being removed. I did, so I hope whatever bulbs I put in there don't require changing anytime soon.
So far, I'm really happy with they way they look against Sheer Silver paint available on the '03.
(They match the running light because I've got an amber LED there.)
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 827
DIY save the money..and the satisfaction of doing it yourself is better. Atleast when I did my sidemarkers they didn't come out PERFECT but came out almost 95% perfect. Also you wont have to wait for shipping if you diy..IMO thats what i would do.
Thanks, Brett. Yeah, I like the amber up front. Those front bulbs are a stalk of 18 half-size SMD's... something like that.
Rochester from my experience with ebay leds, they always end up dying withing a few months - especially on the exterior. Since then I've only gone with American leds - vleds, superbrightleds etc
You might want to consider these:
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/C...-p8194231.html
PM Dj Kevinmn, iirc he just installed those in his sidemarkers a few days ago.
You might want to consider these:
http://www.v-leds.com/Exterior-LED/C...-p8194231.html
PM Dj Kevinmn, iirc he just installed those in his sidemarkers a few days ago.
roch, I have red colored incandescent bulbs, they are super red almost more red then the red in the taillights. Love em. are you going to have to do anything extra with leds there?
I tried sharpie"ing the regular bulbs in the rear red, and looked ok but turned pink to white after being heated up a few weeks later.
and since when are u into looks
I tried sharpie"ing the regular bulbs in the rear red, and looked ok but turned pink to white after being heated up a few weeks later.
and since when are u into looks
As long as it's something only I (we) would notice, and doesn't make the public go, "Good god, what is that thing?" Things like rally stripes, roof spoilers, twin-loop mufflers, LED strips, 20" chrome rims, etc. You know, tasteless, tacky, and embarrassing kid stuff.
Last edited by Rochester; Mar 14, 2011 at 10:12 AM.
I installed the rear markers this weekend, with a 5-bulb refactor lens LED in red. They look fantastic. The only downside is that the housing is white, and you can see the white if you get down on your hands-and-knees and look through the crack (
). If ever I take them out again, I think I'll have to paint the white plastic black.
Did I say they look fantastic? Because they do! Here's why:
When unlit, the amber (front) and red (rear) lenses create a stark color contrast against Sheer Silver, when looking at the car's profile. However, these smoked lenses blend with the Silver, rather than work against it.
When lit, a clear bulb with a colored lens (amber and red) will create a uniform glow in their respective color. But if the lenses are clear/smoked, and the bulbs themselves are sourcing the colored light, then the color is interpreted by reflection, rather than refraction.
In other words, it sparkles rather than glows. And it's a beautiful thing.
). If ever I take them out again, I think I'll have to paint the white plastic black.Did I say they look fantastic? Because they do! Here's why:
When unlit, the amber (front) and red (rear) lenses create a stark color contrast against Sheer Silver, when looking at the car's profile. However, these smoked lenses blend with the Silver, rather than work against it.
When lit, a clear bulb with a colored lens (amber and red) will create a uniform glow in their respective color. But if the lenses are clear/smoked, and the bulbs themselves are sourcing the colored light, then the color is interpreted by reflection, rather than refraction.
In other words, it sparkles rather than glows. And it's a beautiful thing.
