Chevy & GMC Vans

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I read a few existing posts about installing a signal "blinker" light on each mirror. Excellent ideas on how to make one's van even safer. Especially since this mirror signal light seems to be the new standard on many new vehicles as well.

Was thinking of installing http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm ... goryID=301 on the "under side" of each factory mirror. Good, bad, ???? Being a `push in` bulb, will its internal bulb remain in place?

thanks for your sanity check - before trying this safety increase on my 2001 Safari van...

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I don't see why the bulb wouldn't stay in. Seems like a perfectly sane idea to me. Somebody made a post with this mod just recently, but I can't find it now...ok I didn't look that hard... whoever it was had used a small circular lamp on the bottom side of the mirror housing. Do it, post it...he he he so I can copy it.

Thanks kings-x59.

Yes. Details and pictures of using a surface mount `motorcycle signal light` is posed within:
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=2858&start=0

I can't seem to find a motorcyle turn signal light assembly that looks the same as LaGrasta's install. The same light assembly design as his very clean install. And, if its internal "push in" bulb would accidently vibrate out - if mounted up side down.

If wondering, I would connect the clearance lights to the van's under dash `signal wires` as detailed within:
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=324

thanks.

I personally am going to make a trip to the junk yard to try to find a side marker lamp out of a fender for my use. I am going to install it in the fender also, not mirror. I want one out of a VW, Audi, Mitsubishi, or similar, I figure they might hold up better, have better gaskets than the motorcycle style lamps - put up with our Canadian winters! But I have been lazy and have not made it across the city to the local junk yards - it sucks actually they are all located on the complete opposite side of the city from me - probably a 35-45 minute drive. I should go soon however; the weather is still with me....

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Update:

A few moments ago, I completed the install of 12V extra blinker lights (which is really amber marker lights connected to blinker wires) under my van's factory plastic mirrors.

For pictures, surf:
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251 ... gnal-1.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251 ... gnal-2.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251 ... gnal-3.jpg
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w251 ... gnal-4.jpg

Amber light: http://shop.easternmarine.com/index.cfm ... goryID=301

When it stops raining in my woods, I plan to apply black silicone around the base of each light. Thus, sealing these lights to their underside mirrors much better.

I did a quick "drive about" and the orange blinking light under each mirror doesn't bother me. The blinking arrow in my dad's vehicle mirror drives me nuts. But an amber light "under the mirror isn't a distriction" (to me). And best part of all, these new amber signal lights are seen from my van's front, side, rear and within the van. Much better then side mounted signal lights. Or, the arrow mounted on the mirror's glass surface.

During their install, I would say that fishing the 14 guage 12V wire behind the dash area and connecting to steering column's Light Blue and Dark Blue factory turn signal wires were the most PITA task. The other task of mounting each light and threading their wires down and across the doors rubberized flex tube was ok. Time consuming but not too hard. Would I do it again??? Sure. Wish all new vehicles had mirror mounted signal lights... MMMM.... Just like the 3rd rear brake light, is signal light mirror a new DOT/DMV standard coming in future vehicle models???? Hope it is...

Hope these helps others...

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thanks for the update. I'm glad to see they look and work great!

as long as your going crazy with turn signals, you might as well hit the volvos or what have you and get some wipers for your head lights as well................. they might look good too, and brush guard front and rear..... too many options one you start thinking about it too much.... might need a winch some day and one of those roof tents would be nice too... and trailer like Tramper or teardrop model or popup..... (my wish list just keeps growing, I'm not sure the computer has enough memory to store it....

Great idea, bud! I dunno that I'd want something that big under my mirrors, but it's definitely gonna make your truck safer!

peter wrote:Great idea, bud! I dunno that I'd want something that big under my mirrors, but it's definitely gonna make your truck safer! :supz:

Seems Orange blinker signal lights on outside of mirrors is the new safety thing. If I remember correctly, I seen orange signal lights on the newer VW Beetles, 350 dual wheel pickups and a few other models. For pictures, surf:
http://photos.leftlanenews.com/photos/i ... jpg&w=1024
http://z.about.com/d/trucks/1/0/0/y/08_ ... arside.jpg
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2008/ ... 80x960.jpg

Having a blinker light on the external mirror (instead of a blinker arrow light on the mirror surface) seems to be catching on with different companies. Hopefully, it will be a new safety standard some day.

Happy surfing...

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