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

[FordRick]

And here it is . . .

Hey Dad that looks great and makes so much sense. Especially now that there's a lense cover available. Although I wish they would make one in smoke. I'm curious to see what an amber light with a smoke lens would look like. Gonna definitely do this when I get a chance next month. I'm gonna message the person that makes them to see if they are willing to make a smoke lens cover.
Need your opinion on the LED lights. I see that Amazon has the white, white smoke, amber and amber smoke. Which ones did you use. I'm thinking amber smoke would go well with the amber cover. Just a smidge less light than in your setup is what I want to achieve.

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[TRUCKHEF]

very good idea, gonna do this when someone comes out with a whole piece of molded plastic and built in LEDs to replace the whole fixture and tap into turn signal wire.

 

[wax87]

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

What is your most favorite mod?

 

[Dad]

Hey Dad that looks great and makes so much sense. Especially now that there's a lense cover available. Although I wish they would make one in smoke. I'm curious to see what an amber light with a smoke lens would look like. Gonna definitely do this when I get a chance next month. I'm gonna message the person that makes them to see if they are willing to make a smoke lens cover.
Need your opinion on the LED lights. I see that Amazon has the white, white smoke, amber and amber smoke. Which ones did you use. I'm thinking amber smoke would go well with the amber cover. Just a smidge less light than in your setup is what I want to achieve.

Many thanks for the feedback. The company is called GadCAD and they're located in Texas. They 3D printed them, so I'm thinking it wouldn't be that much trouble to print up the smoke lens.
I used the amber lights, but with the cover, the white would've probably worked but maybe have been too bright. No way to tell at this point. I think the amber smoke would give you what you're looking for in a bit less light. Too bad they don't have a variety pack, right?

 

[Dad]

very good idea, gonna do this when someone comes out with a whole piece of molded plastic and built in LEDs to replace the whole fixture and tap into turn signal wire.

On this thread someone did just something that I think might look like what you're hoping for. They used the OEM badge and just added a tiny strip light at the top. Looks great. I considered doing it that way, but I wasn't sure that after drilling a hole on the edge of the insert it would hide the wiring. This worked and it looks factory, in my opinion. Give it a look.

 

[wax87]

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

LOL

 

[FordRick]

Many thanks for the feedback. The company is called GadCAD and they're located in Texas. They 3D printed them, so I'm thinking it wouldn't be that much trouble to print up the smoke lens.
I used the amber lights, but with the cover, the white would've probably worked but maybe have been too bright. No way to tell at this point. I think the amber smoke would give you what you're looking for in a bit less light. Too bad they don't have a variety pack, right?

Awesome, thank you, amber smoke it is. The only variety pack is amber and red I messaged the lens cover maker about making it in smoke. If they do it by the time I get around to doing this, I'll try the setup with the amber lights with smoke lensor maybe I can add smoke vinyl over the amber lens.

 

[FordRick]

Awesome, thank you, amber smoke it is. The only variety pack is amber and red I messaged the lens cover maker about making it in smoke. If they do it by the time I get around to doing this, I'll try the setup with the amber lights with smoke lensor maybe I can add smoke vinyl over the amber lens.

Awesome update, GadCAD 3D just responded. They're gonna make them in smoke soon. Definitely by the time I get around to doing this

 

[wax87]

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

I was also thinking of a way to make them a functional vent as well. But not having a mav yet, I am not sure if it is even exposed to hot air

 

[dcs12345]

Listen, I can do that for you . . . not build your truck, LOL, but I can see if one of those lights will fit in the hole. Hang on . .. I'll check.

UPDATE: That hole in mine is covered up by the rail system, so I wasn't able to determine if it will fit. I do have those holes up toward the cab, but my water dispersing tubes from my tonneau cover are using them. If you don't mind, I'll check that tomorrow when I have some time and daylight, but I think it the lights will fit.

That would be perfect, thanks. I’m pretty sure I have the same “brand” of lights as you….. They fit the holes on my old 1500 Chevy, so hopefully it is an industry “standard“ size.

 

[bluedevilruss]

What a cool mod. Not even close to brave enough to try this when I get mine.

 

[Pucman1]

Very nice.....I think it is the right amount of diffused light.

 

[Eagle11]

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 because I'm not REPLACING an incandescent bulb, merely adding one. 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.

Congrats Dad, looks fantastic

 

[Dad]

Awesome, thank you, amber smoke it is. The only variety pack is amber and red I messaged the lens cover maker about making it in smoke. If they do it by the time I get around to doing this, I'll try the setup with the amber lights with smoke lensor maybe I can add smoke vinyl over the amber lens.

You're welcome. I'm sure you'll find what works for you best. Glad to hear you took one idea and are already finding ways to make it better for your purposes and style. That's what this club is all about. Be sure to post your results.

 

[Dad]

Awesome update, GadCAD 3D just responded. They're gonna make them in smoke soon. Definitely by the time I get around to doing this

I think it's a family run business, so they are more likely to respond to individual requests. Good luck.

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