So finally I took the time to install the Paradox rear clear sidemarkers in my car. The DIY guide is below, but if you don't want to do a lot of work, such as cutting wires, splicing wires, cutting plastic, getting your fingers cut and/or bruised, potentially swear at the car multiple times, stop now.

First the problems:

1. On the I35, once he OEM sidemarker is removed, you'll notice it has another inner body panel. The new clear markers with the bulb socket inserted will NOT fit as it will bump into the inner body panel.

2. The sidemarkers is held in by two tabs, the cheap plastic tabs on the new clear marker is stiff as ****, and the marker itself won't even stay in, it'll pop out automatically in a few seconds.

So here we go, you'll need these tools to work:

1. Exacto knife with various blades
2. Wire cutter
3. Needle nosed plier
4. Wire taps from Radio Shack
5. Eletrical tape

First you'll need to modify the supplied bulb socket, by cutting 90% of it off with an Exacto knife like below:



Then wrap the EXPOSED wiring with electrical tape.

BUT, when installing the bulb socket, BE VERY CAREFUL as the wire could break off like it did on mine.



Next, go look at your new clear sidemarker, where the bulb socket goes into, there is a raised plastic ring around the opening, cut ALL of it off so the surface is flush.

Then, take out your old sidemarkers, and remove the metal tabs on each end, insert those metal tabs into the clear sidemarker (remove plastic tabs).

Splice or solder the new wiring into the old factory wiring, I chose to splice to keep the factory wiring in place. The wire tap looks like this:



Test the new wiring by inserting a bulb into it, if not, use needle nose pliers to squeeze the tap more.

Insert new bulb socket into new sidemarker, press in and DONE!!

 

End result looks like this:





So who wants to give me rep points?

 

Looks good! I love that clear clean look.

 

Looks good, man...nice job! I guess I don't understand why a company would make an aftermarket part that doesn't fit without serious modification...can anyone explain?

 

I'm sure the Paradox imports the kit, from where the Asian/Euro-spec Cefiro A33 exist. So the kit fits those cars fine...

 

Looks good, I'm a proponenet of the all clear look as well.

BTW, you DO have to modify the bulb socket on the A33 I30's as well. Overseas A33's have a different bumper.

 

Oh really? Because the only people I knew that had rear clear markers were A33 I30s in the US.

 

Nice write up, would you mind if I added this to the install write-up? It certainly clears up a lot of questions people ask.

And the reason why this is necessary as stated above, is because these are imported Cefiro products and not manufactured by us.

 

Sure, go ahead.

 

Thanks, just edited our writeup.

 

My car is probably one of them, and I had to cut down the bulb harness to install mine. I also replaced the AM plastic clips with the stock metal ones. Holds them in there a lot more securly.

 

Our minds think alike

 

Please also add that for the front markers, it is easier to just use wire splice. As that will keep the factory wiring intact, and reverting back to stock is a breeze job if needed.

 

Hmm...I just got a set of clear markers from Paradox 2 weeks ago. On my I35, the front factory harness has 4 tabs. 2 small, and 2 large. Actually, of the 2 larger ones, 1 of them is actually about 1/8" larger than the one directly opposite.

The front markers/corners from Paradox came with 4 tab slots already. The only modification needed was enlarging one of the larger tab slots by 1/8" to accomodate my harness. I did this with a kitchen knife in 2 seconds.

So I guess that in my case, no splicing was necessary at all. The rears, a different story. I'm going to work on that. Thanks for the write-up.

 

The clears doesn't fit Euro-spec Maximas(I30) either and also ours side markers are nonlighting
Nice write up!

 

LOL...OK Asian spec only then

 

My car in the dark now, with hyperwhite inverted LEDs on the sides.

 

I thought that the A33s had those stock...

 

Looks good. Just like the set-up I had... Just watch out for cops, I just got a ticket for improper use of red and blue lights And yes, I have the same inverted white LED's

 

I was going to say the same thing. I wouldn't ever mess with safety equipment on my car. In the USA, lights on the side must be amber or red. You can still run clear outsides, but the bulbs must be red or amber in back, and amber up front.

 

O/t slightly....anyone want to sell me their stock driver side rear sidemarker? if so pm me with price....thx

 

My car = my choice, I respect your opinion though.

 

I say the same thing!

I had my clears with super whites all around for probably two years... Then got a ticket

Then I had the clears with red in back and super whites up front... Then got a ticket

So, Unfortunitely my choice has had to change as a result of **** law enfrocement. I am ordering more amber LED's as we speak because my room mate decided to throw away all the other ones I had.

 

So I just finished installing the rears on my girls I35... Definately not plug and play. I followed advice from here and used a dremel to cut-off about 95% of the socket provided. I then cut and spliced in male and female connector to both the stock harness and the provided wire set. I taped it all up and it looks almost like a stock harness again. The problem was the fitments of the rubber trim and of course the actual fitments of the clips to the cut outs in the bumper. I simply bent the clips around until they fit the way I wanted and then I place double sided tape on the portion bumper portion that is behind the light on the rear end side of the car. They don't sit super flush, but they are very close and even if the clips don't hold, the tape will.

All in all we love the look. the front were easy and if you can't do the little amount of work it takes to make that easy then you shouldn't mod your car at all. I used all the stock set up up front except the actual clear marker. I just notched the wholes to fit the stock bulb set up. In back however, I would do it COMPLETELY different if I were to do it again. I would simply take both the stocks and the clears and bake them just enough to separate the actual lens and then just swap them. you would have to get the appropriate epoxy and take your time, but it would be such a better fit and so much easier in the end. Hope this helps.

 

Swapping lens has been atempted by other members and failed, the original glue is too strong.

Also as for the clips, did re-use your OEM metal ones? The plastic ones are POS....

Lastly, 2 year old thread!

 

^ I know its an old thread, but its one of those that people are always asking about. I couldn't get the OEM clips out (didn't really have th right tools. How did you get them out??

 

Needle nose pliers, grip and pull, the clips will come out and will fix the fitment issue permanently.

 

Solid! Thank you.

 

Murdered side markers FTW. Those bring to much attention to where there isn't really supposed to be any.

 

i just finished installing my clears and damn it was frustrating.. i thaught only i35's had this problem but i30'shave it too (at least my 00 i30).. anyway i didnt have a exacto knife so i just used a reguler kitchen knife andcut the ends off and pulled the wiresto the side and took the rubber ring around socket so the socket goes inside assembly more and after some cursing and pushing everything went inside and looks good now.
also installed my half roof spoiler and finally my car is starting to look good. heheh

 

I just got my clears from paradox....

Are they selling different sidemarkers now? I don't see the problems that are described in this thread....

The socket for both pair of clear side markers installed into them just fine. Am I supposed to be doing something special for the rears?