💡 Converting the Maverick side badge to a signal lamp light -- DIY how-to and result video [night video added]

[dcs12345]

Nice. These are the same style of lights that I am currently thinking about eventually using in the bed for lights under a bed cover. Right now I am planning on only using 1 and installing it in one of the rear grommeted holes. These lights are dirt cheap and often come in packs of 10. So, if I need another, I'll just put one on the other side of the bed as well.

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[uh50]

Due to my envy of those vehicles that have turn signal indicators on their mirrors or body side, I took another member's basic idea and went one step further to have the badge act as a turn signal indicator. The first side took a bit of time to figure out what light would work best and how to wire it up correctly and safely. The other side took about an hour or two. Nothing like having "experience" the second time around.

This is how it came out:



What you'll need:

• plastic pry tools to ease off the badge.
• LED light. (I liked the round one where the wiring exits out the back of the light)
• butt splices. Red ones for the small wire gauge.
• several wire bridge taps. Again, the red ones.
• two ring terminals large enough to be able to attach to one of the bolts holding the fender together. This is for a ground. I got the ones that included shrink wrap on the wire end, but not necessary.
• 2 resistors. Remember, the Mav uses incandescent bulbs for its on/off turn signal function. If you introduce a lesser load bearing LED, it throws off the truck's computer into thinking a bulb is burned out and you get the hyperflash. The more expensive Laserfit LED's have internal resistors, but we are not using those today.
• wire cutters, stripper, and crimping tool.
• 4 strands of automotive wire about 3 - 1/2 feet long. Red and black are always a good choice color wise. The wires on the LED's I chose are yellow & black, so I used those colors.
• Drill bit or forstner bit large enough to cut out a round circle in the badge. The LED's I used required a 3/4" hole to fit snugly.
• 2 amber colored covers that fit the badge. These were made specifically for the Maverick and can be found on Etsy, however, this is an option. I chose to use them to cover up the LED lamp and also to disperse the light. Inexpensive . . . $20 for two.
• shrink wrap if you choose to use it and then you'll need either a heat gun or hair dryer.
• Automotive electrical tape. If you'll notice looking into any type of automotive wiring, the tape is NOT the shiny kind. The shiny kind tends to melt and get sticky. Opt for the "fabric" type. Easily available on Amazon and looks more like it belongs.
• Four #4 self-tapping screws to hold the resistors in place. Actually, one screw will hold it just fine. We'll talk about where to place the resistor and it might be tough to get two screws on. Getting one on was tough enough and it held strongly, so I didn't bother with the second one.

From a safety aspect, this is one of the best mods that I've seen. Looks good too. Great job!

 

[Dad]

R u able to post a night time video too? Curious how bright it is. Thank you!!

Great idea! I'm happy to do so as soon as the sun sets. Thanks for your interest.

 

[Dad]

Nice. These are the same style of lights that I am currently thinking about eventually using in the bed for lights under a bed cover. Right now I am planning on only using 1 and installing it in one of the rear grommeted holes. These lights are dirt cheap and often come in packs of 10. So, if I need another, I'll just put one on the other side of the bed as well.

Good idea. I believe they come in white if you're looking for maximum illumination.
You might want to consider LED strip lights for total bed illumination. Amazon has a kit with two strips that fit the Maverick and while not dirt cheap, they're relatively inexpensive.
Here's the link to Amazon
https://a.co/d/cl9gPQk

 

[Dad]

I think you only need resistors if you use LED instead of incandescent. Adding LED to a line that already has incandescents on them, you do not.

I can now verify that you are absolutely correct. I removed one of the resistors and sure enough the signals worked in the proper flashing cycle. Since I'm not REPLACING an incandescent with an LED merely adding an LED, a resistor is not needed. I've updated my original post to eliminate the resistor install. Appreciate your advice. Thank you!

 

[GPSMan]

I can now verify that you are absolutely correct. I removed one of the resistors and sure enough the signals worked in the proper flashing cycle. Since I'm not REPLACING an incandescent with an LED merely adding an LED, a resistor is not needed. I've updated my original post to eliminate the resistor install. Appreciate your advice. Thank you!

The line needs to have a minimum amount of draw to be "detected". Lets round to 1 amp for simplicity sake.

An incandescent pulls more than 1 amp so the smarts of the system knows it's there and not burnt out. Adding MORE draw within reason is fine. But taking away current draw ( replacing a 1A bulb with a 0.01A LED ) is not fine as 0.01A is pretty close to "burnt out" status.

But adding an LED going to 1.01A is really close to "normal" status.

Again, numbers rounded for illustrative purposes.

 

[Maverick2023]

waiting on a 3D version of these lights. Like one of these

 

[Joseaoe1]

This is a cool mod. Thanks for posting. I expect this will be offered by somewhere as a plug-and-play complete kit pretty soon. Something for me to add in the spring.

 

[wax87]

Due to my envy of those vehicles that have turn signal indicators on their mirrors or body side, I took another member's basic idea and went one step further to have the badge act as a turn signal indicator. The first side took a bit of time to figure out what light would work best and how to wire it up correctly and safely. The other side took about an hour or two. Nothing like having "experience" the second time around.

This is how it came out:



What you'll need:

• plastic pry tools to ease off the badge.
• LED light. (I liked the round one where the wiring exits out the back of the light)
• butt splices. Red ones for the small wire gauge.
• several wire bridge taps. Again, the red ones.
• two ring terminals large enough to be able to attach to one of the bolts holding the fender together. This is for a ground. I got the ones that included shrink wrap on the wire end, but not necessary.
• UPDATE: Resistors not needed. 2 resistors. Remember, the Mav uses incandescent bulbs for its on/off turn signal function. If you introduce a lesser load bearing LED, it throws off the truck's computer into thinking a bulb is burned out and you get the hyperflash. The more expensive Laserfit LED's have internal resistors, but we are not using those today.
• wire cutters, stripper, and crimping tool.
• 4 strands of automotive wire about 3 - 1/2 feet long. Red and black are always a good choice color wise. The wires on the LED's I chose are yellow & black, so I used those colors.
• Drill bit or forstner bit large enough to cut out a round circle in the badge. The LED's I used required a 3/4" hole to fit snugly.
• 2 amber colored covers that fit the badge. These were made specifically for the Maverick and can be found on Etsy, however, this is an option. I chose to use them to cover up the LED lamp and also to disperse the light. Inexpensive . . . $20 for two.
• shrink wrap if you choose to use it and then you'll need either a heat gun or hair dryer.
• Automotive electrical tape. If you'll notice looking into any type of automotive wiring, the tape is NOT the shiny kind. The shiny kind tends to melt and get sticky. Opt for the "fabric" type. Easily available on Amazon and looks more like it belongs.
• Four #4 self-tapping screws to hold the resistors in place. Actually, one screw will hold it just fine. We'll talk about where to place the resistor and it might be tough to get two screws on. Getting one on was tough enough and it held strongly, so I didn't bother with the second one.

You stole my idea LOL, man I wish my Mav would get here, I still have a few new ideas floating around in my head
good job man!!!

 

[Dad]

From a safety aspect, this is one of the best mods that I've seen. Looks good too. Great job!

Thank you! The safety factor was my main motivation. Appreciate you recognizing such.

 

[dcs12345]

Good idea. I believe they come in white if you're looking for maximum illumination.
You might want to consider LED strip lights for total bed illumination. Amazon has a kit with two strips that fit the Maverick and while not dirt cheap, they're relatively inexpensive.
Here's the link to Amazon
https://a.co/d/cl9gPQk

Yeah, I’ve thought about the LED strips for the bed. I just wanted to try something different with the little light.

I’m not wanting it for task lighting, more just a little light under the bed cover so I can see that jar of pickles that tries to escape from my grocery bag.. if it doesn’t work out, I’ll already have the wires most ran and be out $10 ( not counting the switch)

 

[Dad]

You stole my idea LOL, man I wish my Mav would get here, I still have a few new ideas floating around in my head
good job man!!!

Did I? Apologies! I believe it was you who gave me the idea of putting some type of lighting in the badge, but I think you opted for just having a side marker type light.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

However, your idea got me thinking on how I could expand on yours, so thank you for planting the seed. I could not remember where I saw the idea and therefore was unable to give you the credit you deserved. Hopefully, this post will suffice..

 

[Dad]

Yeah, I’ve thought about the LED strips for the bed. I just wanted to try something different with the little light.

I’m not wanting it for task lighting, more just a little light under the bed cover so I can see that jar of pickles that tries to escape from my grocery bag.. if it doesn’t work out, I’ll already have the wires most ran and be out $10 ( not counting the switch)

It does give a different and unique look. Glad you found them in white. Please let us know how they work out for you.

 

[Dad]

You stole my idea LOL, man I wish my Mav would get here, I still have a few new ideas floating around in my head
good job man!!!

Thank you! Again, thank you for the idea and apologies for not crediting you to begin with.

 

[shadow76]

2nd favorite mod so far...............might have to look into copying this one also when the weather gets better

What's the first?

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