New pictures in post #1; Originally posted picture in post #14. Video gone.

9/9/2020. These no longer exist in switchback form, except on my Formula, so links have been cleaned-up. Similar lights are still available, but as white-only DRLs. And the video I'd posted showing them installed and working is no longer online. The website that was hosting it no longer exists, and I don't do any social media, so unless TGO is capable of hosting videos, which I've not heard it can, then it's doubtful that I'll be reuploading it anytime soon. As for pictures, I'd originally posted A LOT of start-to-finish pics, detailing how I made these. But I really dislike work-in-progress pictures, so I deleted them. So I've added pictures of the lights in action, so-to-speak.






These are wired to and powered by a factory foglight switch.

I'd installed this switch many years before this installation, for aesthetic reasons, to fill the blank space in the dash. But with the installation of these DRLs, the switch became functional and operates these DRLs.

Here's a link to a thread (from the future!) that describes how I wired the switch. I created the thread on 9/9/2020, after realizing I'd never written-up how I did it seven years earlier:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...ml#post6393570

So on with the slightly-edited original text...

Unfortunately, foglights weren't available for 1982-1984 Trans Ams and 1982-1990 Firebirds and Formulas, and nobody has ever reproduced the turn signal housings with clear lenses, so adding any type of auxiliary lighting, such as daytime running lights(DRLs) would look as if they were "attached," rather than integrated. And because the stock turn signal housings will probably never be reproduced with clear lenses, I combined modern LED lighting with stock turn signal housings and made DRLs that also function as flashing-amber turn signals.

The Switchback LEDs are from local SoCal vendor iJDMtoy, But as of this latest edit, they no longer exist and haven't for a few years. I got the black finish, but they were available in silver too.1" round LEDs, just the right size to fit through the turn signal housings' amber lenses. So with 1 kit of 10 LEDs, I installed 5 through the amber lens of each turn signal housing. As DRLs they shine bright white, then when the turn signals are activated they 'switch' to amber and flash, then 'switchback' to white when the turn cycle has finished.

Using a spare set of stock turn signal housings, I drilled holes through the amber lenses with the kit's supplied drill bit, converting the amber lenses to mounting-surfaces for the LEDs; cut-off the bottoms the housings for access to secure the LEDs and tuck the wiring(not visible when mounted); painted the modified amber lenses and housings gloss black; painted the matching surfaces of a spare set of headlight bezels too so their finish matched the turn signals; and mounted the LEDs through the holes I drilled. The finished product updates the stock appearance and coordinates nicely with my new HID projector headlights, linked below:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/auto...projector.html

 

Nice work!

 

Thanks. The final project evolved through a series of ideas.

I'd contemplated a 91-92 non-gfx front end swap, where I'd have installed switchback LEDs into the clear turn signal housings. I even had all the 91-92 front end parts. But I then I decided to do this, and I sold all of those parts. I kept and installed the driver's side 91-92 PONTIAC headlight cover, deleting the plastic script from the headlight bezel.

I'd begun making clear turn signals out of a set of 82-90 stock housings. Had one ready to assemble. But it was more work than it was worth. Then I couldn't decide what to do with the solid black portion at the end of the housing, which always looked wrong to me. I think it would've looked better if they'd just run the lens all the way across and not left that little black square on the end. So this would be my chance to utilize that small section of the housing.

Then while doing projector headlights, I began noticing all of the very cool LED accent lighting on today's BMWs, Audis, Mercedes, Lexus, etc., so I began searching for ways to integrate something like that onto the car. I found these individual "customizable" switchback LEDs, and the vendor wasn't far away, so I was able to see them.

They Integrate DRLs with turn signals. Can be mounted anywhere and in any configuration. The right size. BRIGHT! 'Switch' to amber when the turn signal function is activated. Coordinates well with the projector headlights. Gives the car a more modern appearance, along with the projector headlights, yet the car still retains its identity.

Ideally, I should've used new housings. But since I considered this an "experiment," and I wasn't sure how or if it would workout or look, I didn't want to spend another $120 on NOS housings. As these turned-out, they're nice, and I'm happy with them as they are, no need to have spent the money for new housings.

 

Looks Great!

 

I find it kind of funny that you guys are adding DRLs now. Up here where they've been mandatory on new cars since the '90s a lot of guys disable them. Anyway, they look really good with your headlights.

 

That is pretty badass! I would like a smoked plastic panel over the 5 led's personally but it is still a great update.

 

Those are pretty interesting looking. Your concept and research is fantastic. IMO they look almost TOO futuristic. Although they do compliment the headlight mod nicely. For those who stay with the conventional lights or just an HID upgrade, they may take away from the overrall look. Any shots of them at night by chance? I have LED turn signals also, but I'm on my phone, so I can't load the pics until I get back home. Good work, regardless of my opinion!!

 

Out of curiosity how much did the total mod for both signals cost you?

 

A lot of new cars have DRLs, but I don't think all new cars do. We aren't required to drive with headlights on during the daytime, which would be law for cars without DRLs if DRLs were mandatory in the US.

If they ever did become mandatory for all cars in the US, then 82-84 Firebirds and 85-90 Firebirds and Formulas would have to have their headlights raised during the daytime. So at least having some variation of a clear lensed turn signal would allow them to double as DRLs with LED lighting.

 

I've tried taking pics of them at night, but their intensity makes them look too blurry in nighttime pics. They photograph well in the daytime though. But DRLs are for being seen, not for seeing.

There's a daytime picture in post #14.

And for Camaros and 91-92 Firebirds that already have clear turn signal lenses, there's a wide variety of switchbacks people can get with 1157 bases that will pop right into the stock bulb sockets.

 

The set of LEDs cost around $100; they're very nice quality lights. The set consists of 10 LEDs, relay/harness, and an appropriately sized drill bit(a small hole saw). But as of this edit, these haven't been available in switchback form for a few years now. Just white-only DRLs, which would look nice, too, but without the switchback's turn signal function, they'd be of little use for a Firebird application.

I've been stock-piling turn signal housings for a long time. Whenever I find a good one in a junkyard car I buy it. $5 each, I think. New ones are still available, but they're $50-$60 each. Since I didn't know how or if this would work, I didn't want to risk ruining brand new housings, so I did it with used housings, which were decent, but not perfect.

 

They aren't required in the US yet. They've been required on new cars in Canada since 1990. Here the DRLs can be head lights, fog lights or even turn signals/parking lights. They don't even have to be white in colour. Since they became mandatory the only cars that have to be retrofit with them are imported cars with a build date of January 1st 1990 or later. My GTA isn't required to have them being an '88.

 

Here in SoCal, particularly in the mountains and deserts, there are a lot of roads with signs stating "daytime headlight area," so it's just a matter of time before DRLs are required in the US, at least, on current models cars. They can't very well require every car from the past to update to DRLs.

 

 

There was a video in this post, but the hosting site no longer exists. So unless TGO can host videos, then I doubt I'll be uploading another one.

 

Are you selling these? Thats a nice setup

 

Hi KITT. Thanks for the kind words. No, I'm not selling anything here. I just wanted to demonstrate a way to utilize and integrate today's modern "switchback" LED lighting on 3rdgen Firebirds.

Switchbacks come in many forms, shapes and styles, but in a housing, they have to be used with clear turn signal lenses, which, unfortunately, 82-90 Firebirds don't have.

But for something like this, I think it's best that people who are interested in such DIY projects search for something that suits their personal taste. The options are out there, and there are many different ways to utilize them. I'm merely showing one finished example of what can be done.

 

Would have been nice to fabricate a clear lens for the O.E. turn signals.

 

on my camaro i put relays on my driving lights that come on when the cars running.anything to keep people from pulling right out in front of me.some people are too busy with their personal lives to watch where they are driving.

 

.

 

http://www.webelectricproducts.com/products.htm

 

For Pontiac Firebirds with fog lights it is easy https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/elec...-led-bulb.html

 

Just a reminder, this is about 1982-1990 Firebirds. 91-92 model years have clear turn signal lenses, and there are plenty of very simple plug-n-play switchback options that fit their stock turn signal sockets, nothing difficult or complicated about it.

 

I really liked your idea and think it turned out great. Wanted to take out a bit further and mounted another set on the headlight housings.

 

This is also a great place for sensors of various types.
I'm looking into mounting my ALP laser jammer diodes - I mean parking sensors! - in that housing.
I cut a wood block in the dimensions of the sensor, and am slowly looking into a good mounting solution. You'll have to forgive the bug splatter on the headlight cover - I do live in Wisconsin after all.