Disclaimer: As with all of my projects I claim no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information posted in this thread for liability's sake. This information is to be used for illustrative purposes and is to be used at your own risk! I claim no responsiblity as to the accuracy of the information posted in this post and in the follow up posts. Any interpretation or misinterpretation of the information posted herin is deferred to the reader/end user. The author of this post shall be held harmless to any damage done to anyone's vehicle as a result of implementation/usage/misimplementation/misuse of this information.
In other words, if you cross a wire or catch your truck on fire as a result of trying to do this modification, it's on you, not me. I do believe this information to be accurate but if you do something wrong and start blowing fuses or burn your garage down, don't have your attorney call me. You have been warned!!
And now, to the good stuff!!
Many people have requested LED Side Mirror Turn Signals for the RL yet none are available. Now you can make them yourself. All you need are some basic hand tools and a little patience. This project can be completed in less than 4 hours by anyone who has a rudimentary skill level with hand tools. This project will allow you to install LED turn signals that will be viewable from the front and back of the truck. The total cost for the LED's that I used in my installation was approximately $25 including tax.
I will post only the most relevant pictures in an effort to keep this as short as possible. Some of the pictures are links. Please click on the links to see the pictures. I have no idea why the pictures will not post but if you click on the blue underlined links, you will see the pictures. If you need an additional picture or explanation, please ask.
Tools supplies needed/suggested:
10 mm socket
10 mm wrench
Soldering Iron (suggested)
Electrical Tape
Phillips screw driver
T-25 Torx driver/bit
2 packages LED's for outside of mirrors (available at all major auto parts stores)
1 package LED arrows for inside of mirrors (available at all major auto parts stores)
Drill
Drill Bits
Coat hanger or Fish Tape
Pliers
15 ft. of 16 or 18 gauge speaker wire or zip wire
Some sort of pry tool (suggested)
A flat head screwdriver
A clean sock
A towel (to use as a rest for the mirror so you don't scratch it after removing it.)
Duct tape
Wire taps
Beer
OK Lets get started!!
The first step will be to remove the mirror part of the door mirror itself. I would suggest that you remove the reflective part of the mirror before removing the mirror housing from the truck but it can be done after removing the mirror housing iteslf. I suggest doing this with the mirror mechanism on the truck so that you have maximum leverage.
Pivot the mirror itself so that the bottom inside corner is pivoted outward. You can pivot the mirrors manually without harming the mechanism. It takes a fair amount of effort to get the mirror off. Pull the bottom edge of the mirror out from the housing. It will separate from the truck with a snap. Carefully disconnect the wires from the mirror if you have heated mirrors. The wires slide off the little thingys attached to the mirrors. Don't rip the connectors off of the mirror. Doing this will make your heated mirrors inoperative.
Next, remove the inside triangular cover from the door. You do not have to remove the inner door panel if you are careful. This can be done by pulling the top of the triangular cover by using some sort of pry tool. I suggest a plastic prying tool but you can use a flat head screwdriver covered by the sock. This is the panel in question.
Behind this cover are 3 bolts. Remove the 3 bolts. Use the 10 mm socket to take out the top bolt and use the 10 mm wrench to remove the bottom 2. If you are careful you can remove all 3 bolts to remove the mirror without taking off the door panel. If you drop a bolt, you will have to either fish the bolt out with a magnet or take off the door panel. I am fairly clumsy but was careful and did not have to remove either door panel.
Once you have the mirror unbolted, there is one plastic connector. Pull this connector through the hole in the door and disconnect the connector.
You will now have to dissemble the mirror completely. This is very easy.
There are several T-25 Torx screws on the underside of the mirror. Remove these screws and seperate the mirror housing from the hinge that attaches the mirror to the door. Take the wiring harness loose from it's hooks and pull it through the hinge.
http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/100_0018.jpg
There are a total of 7 screws that hold the mirror motor assembly inside of the housing. Here are where the first 6 are located.
Please do not post any replies until I have posted the entire How To Please in the interest of continuity. Thanks!!