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

[White Thunder]

A little more subtle, but works for me. Very easy to do.

some instructions of what you did? What kind of bulb was that?

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[BlueMav43]

some instructions of what you did? What kind of bulb was that?

From Amazon.com
Partsam 2pcs 3/4" Mini Amber LED Marker Clearance Light Turn Signal Light Air Dam Lights, 3 Wires, 12V
NOTE: the above bulbs are 3 wire and can be used as running lights PLUS turn signal. You have to TEST YOURSELF to see what color does what. They do not always come the same way. If your want running lights, run the running light wire (dim)to the front side marker, and the "bright" wire to the turn signal bulb in the grill. Mine are the old 2 wire (left over from other project) and I use only for turn signals & hazards. Search Partsam store on Amazon for 2 wire if that's what you want.

Popped off plastic trim piece (search forum/YouTube for details) pick location you want the light, drilled 3/4" hole( match both sides ), removed rubber grommet from light. Place grommet in hole. Soildered & heat shrink 4-5 ft wire to leads of light, crimped a circle clip on extended white wire(GND), crimped wire terminal spade clip on black wire(hot). Insert wire & bulb in trim piece & reinstall.
NOTE: I have a 24 Lariat Hybrid. I connected the ground as shown in picture, HOT wire goes to the smaller of the 3 wires that go to turn signal (not LED) bulb.
Any questions PM & will be happy to help if I can.

 

[White Thunder]

From Amazon.com
Partsam 2pcs 3/4" Mini Amber LED Marker Clearance Light Turn Signal Light Air Dam Lights, 3 Wires, 12V
NOTE: the above bulbs are 3 wire and can be used as running lights PLUS turn signal. You have to TEST YOUESELF to see what color does what. They do not always come the same way. If your want running lights, run the running light wire (dim)to the front side marker, and the "bright" wire to the turn signal bulb in the grill. Mine are the old 2 wire (left over from other project) and I use only for turn signals & hazards. Search Partsam store on Amazon for 2 wire if that's what you want.

Popped off plastic trim piece (search forum/YouTube for details) pick location you want light, drilled 3/4" hole( match both sides ), removed rubber grommet from light. Place grommet in hole. Soildered & heat shrink 4-5 ft wire to leads of light, crimped a circle clip on extended white wire(GND), crimped wire terminal spade clip on black wire(hot). Insert wire & bulb in trim piece & reinstall.
NOTE: I have a 24 Lariat Hybrid. I connected the ground as shown in picture, HOT wire goes to the smaller of the 3 wires that go to turn signal (not LED) bulb.
Any questions PM & will be happy to help if I can.

WOW, thank you.

 

[BlueMav43]

WOW, thank you.

If you want, check out the cover in post #274 above. Think I'll take a look I see how they attach.

 

[SLJ]

I finally saw one with the Mabett badge indicators a few weeks ago. There is no way after actually seeing them I'd use them. To each his own but to me they are ugly, the wrong color, and stand out way more than I like. I like blackout LEDs. I have some new XLT side badges on the way will be mounting the same style blacked out amber LED strips on those from the back eliminating the screws I used on my first set to hold them in place. Should look even cleaner.

 

[Dad]

some instructions of what you did? What kind of bulb was that?

Read the original thread for all the information you require. If you still have questions, feel free to reply or DM me.

 

[Rick65]

Just did mine using same lights as luciusxlt but on the front edge of the badge.

 

[SLJ]

New XLT side badges came in today. First one is cut for the LEDs which will be epoxied in place this time instead of nut and bolted for a cleaner, blacked out look.

 

[Mr Pibb]

Has anyone used a custom harness to branch off the turn signal wires? Curious to see if the truck will think there is an issue with the lights like some of the drl lightbars.

 

[Dad]

Just did mine using same lights as luciusxlt but on the front edge of the badge.

These look great! Nice job!

 

[Rick65]

These look great! Nice job!

Thanks!

 

[thev8man]

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.

Booyah

 

[thev8man]

Post #2
I didn't want a mile long post, so I thought I would break them up.

Here are more pictures of what I did and then I'll provide a monologue. Couldn't get the wife to film a video . . . even after I wrote a script!

After removing the badge, I drilled a 3/4" hole in it to accommodate the round LED light I purchased from Amazon . . . about $12 for a pack of 10.

The LED has grommet that holds it snugly in place. Also waterproof. I fed the wires out the back which is why I opted for these lights as opposed to ones that had the wiring out the side.
UPDATE: After posting this, one member posted a picture of how he mounted a small lighting strip that had the wires coming out the side. He did a remarkable job hiding those wires. Scroll down a few posts to see his work on his XLT

You can also see that added additional wires and taped them up. I'll need the wires separate when one goes to a grounding point and the other bridge taps into the existing turn signal at the front of the Maverick.


Next photo is my grounding point.

This is where I used a large ring terminal that included shrink wrap. I also taped it.

I've included a photo of the amber badge cover to show how well it fits. It's an option. I attached it using waterproof heavy duty dual lock tape so I can remove it for whatever reason . . . maybe the LED might need replacing.

Booyah

 

[thev8man]

A very very good reason not to use resistors in this case. Not needed. Save cost. Save time. Save "melting or burning" stuff.

Booyah

 

[thev8man]

this is what i did on mine, i got the idea from someone in the forum is a led bar connected to the turn signal here is the link .
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EL2CG5O?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Booyah

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