guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

[DIY] Let's Add Some Class: Side Mirror Puddle Lights

Introduction:

I'm always looking at lighting found on more recent cars and how to add them to the TL.

Cars such as Lexus, Ford, and Volkswagen are a few brands that have OEM side mirror puddle lights. I was debating doing the "VIP" Brabus style puddle lights, but found the side mirror puddle lights to be more subtle and OEM classy.

What are puddle lights?
They come on when you unlock your car, just as your dome lights do. They fade in and out simultaneously with the dome lights. They won't be on when you're driving. Handy for watching out for things like puddles before opening your door.

I need a DSLR shot, but they are bright and light up a good amount. They are not over overbearingly bright, which I love. The light spread is nice.



Materials:

The LED: http://www.oznium.com/led-bolt
I chose 16mm, no lens, cool white, silver. Bought two, one for each side mirror.
You can always paint the housing with touchup paint for it to match your colour.

These fit FLUSH. You can barely tell they're there!

Butt connectors
Splice connectors
20 gauge wire
Add-a-fuse

Tools:

Dremel with drill bit ends, and small sanding bit
8mm socket
Flathead Screwdriver
Phillips Screwdriver
Wire Cutters
Wire Crimper
Wire strippers

Warning: Not held accoutnable for any mistakes you may make.
This DIY isn't for the faint of heart. You WILL be drilling into the bottom of your side mirror. It's not really all that bad. It's the bottom you're working with. If you mess up, just plug it.

Steps:

1. Remove your door panel. Should take you less than 5 minutes.
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/how-remove-door-panel-687044/

2. Move the window sash to access the 3 side mirror bolts
No need to remove it. I just moved it out of the way so I can see the 3 bolts.

Click for manual scan

Before you remove the side mirror, move the mirror all the way inwards first (using the mirror control). This will make it easier to take off the mirror glass from the housing when the side mirror is off.

3. Remove side mirror
There's 3 8mm bolts. Make sure you disconnect the connector for it.

Click here for manual scan

4. Now with the side mirror off, bring it inside, preferably somewhere warm and comfortable.

5. Take off the mirror glass from the actuator.
Sounds tricky but if you have a flashlight, just pry in-between with a flathead and it will pop off. Don't forget to remove the heated mirror connectors.

Click here for manual scan



The LED:



6. I found a nice place out of the way from the mirror glass movement and marked it.







7. Take your dremel and start with a small pilot hole.



8. Use a bigger drill bit to expand the hole.

9. Do this around three times to get a three holes, then connect them.
Do this until you can get the sanding bit in there. Then start to smooth everything until you get a circle.



10. At this stage, you will want to keep test fitting the LED.
If it doesn't fit, take off little by little. Do this until the LED sits in.

Almost there:



Bingo:







11. Bolt the LED down tight.



12. Route the wire through the foam insulation hole.



13. Snap the mirror glass back on.



I actually did all this in like 30 minutes.
I'm not kidding when I say it's a cheap, and quick mod.

Now to wire it:
I won't post pictures for this section because the wiring is done EXACTLY the same as my footwell lighting DIY.

1. Extend the wires for the LED so it reaches the interior using butt connectors and your spool of 20 gauge wire.
2. Route them through the door loom. They should come out somewhere on top of the fuse box (for the driver side).
3. Use a splice connector and splice the black wire (negative) into the dome supervision wire. It is located on a connector at the back of the fusebox.
Undo the connector, to give you room, and use a splice connector.

The detailed wiring part is already apart of my Footwell Lighting DIY

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-2004-2008-93/%5Bdiy%5D-lets-add-some-class-footwell-led-lighting-847702/

4. Use the add a fuse and connect it to the end of the red wire. Plug the add-a-fuse into a constant powered fuse such as fuse #32. Use something like 5A for the accessory fuse on the add-a-fuse.

Again, refer to my footwell lighting thread.

5. Test everything out. Stick the key in the ignition. Puddle lights should come on.

6. Put bolt everything back up and put back on the door panel.

7. Repeat for the other side mirror.

I'll update this thread with better pictures.
Everything was taken with an iPhone 4S.

DrTynanol

and this is going under my mod list

Damin1123

Just found my first mod for spring

RJ1

Damn thats nice I live in ottawa too, maybe you could help me out in doing this lol

ExonAlbz

wow awesomeee

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

very nice....I did this on my TL, along with the bmw door handle lights, last year and I still love it

lights

iTrader: (1)

was wondering if putting them a bit further out would light up more on the ground than the door....but nonetheless, very nice.

georgelv1999

^^^ Thought the same thing. They are too close to the car. I would put it towards the edge of the mirror, so they actually light a "puddle" if there is one

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Putting them out further would put more light on the ground, but these LEDs are bright enough to light the whole side of the car and the ground. My picture which came from my iPhone tells otherwise, probably. I will try to get DSLR pictures for you guys to see. Best way to see is obviously in real life; they put a great amount of light out, trust me.

I did in fact take in consideration of mounting them out further. The reason why I didn't put them out more was because it would interfere with the mirror actuator and glass, and the design of the mirror curves towards the end. I don't want the LED firing light on an angle (towards the front wheel), so this flat spot under the mirror was best.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Send me a PM if you want help

EvilVirus

iTrader: (8)

Awesome job GP16

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Well done, GP!

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

Excellent work as always, GP!

georgelv1999

After seeing the mirror angles I see what you mean. Good job either way, just ordered my lights, thanks for the DIY

Noober

iTrader: (7)

soooo.. you wana do this for me?

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Thanks guys, I just finished doing the other side mirror.

Buy the LED then send me a msg

sockr1

iTrader: (5)

more pics more pics

for those saying less light on the door...if you got the version with the lens, the light would be more directional and probably less of it on the door

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

I used to have a Cree led with the lens. It projected a bright circle of light. Range rover side mirrors actually does the same thing, they had projector lens LEDs.
I prefer the no lens output though as it looks more dispersed and more like how courtesy lights should look. Having a lens also makes for a little bump on the bottom of the mirror

georgelv1999

From looking at the Oznium pictures and video I went with the lens LEDs. I can see what you mean about the no lens lighting disbursement , but then the lights seem to be all over the place. I guess that's somewhat the point. Although I think this mod is more for looks than functionality. I think if we were able to place the lights further out on the mirror then I can see it's full functionality.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

actually you might be right. the "circle" output might be more unique and stand out

georgelv1999

I was thinking about it, and since you said the range rover look, what would be cool is to add an A on top of the LED, so it projects a big A on the floor. That would only work on the lens LEDs though. Well, maybe it would look good in theory. Definitely would be different

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

i just placed an order. i'll take some pics when i get them in

mzilvar

iTrader: (3)

Does it get in the way at all of the mirror adjustment?

Can you still adjust them through their full range?

georgelv1999

Which ones did you end up getting?

Roger type s

nice job, and looks sharp!

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

No problems adjusting my mirror

Noober

iTrader: (7)

what do you guys think about red LEDs?

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Red would look cool but no visibility lol

Canadian3GTL

iTrader: (1)

IMO do white led or don't do anything, red would be too ricey.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

Cool white, black, lens, 11mm

I had to go with 11mm because I alrdy have an existing hole there for my current led.

This being said, the 07-08 mirrors have a slightly different shape and I don't think it'd be as good as the 04-06 mirrors in that location. Mine is drilled closer to the door

usdmJON

Looks great!! Any thoughts into doing something good similar with the side skirts. Give it a real Wald look.

projectsfz

This looks great, and a perfect writeup.

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

I was debating between the Wald/Brabus puddle lights but I think these fit my car look better, mainly because I like to keep my TL clean and stock looking.
I can't see my car pulling the Brabus/wald puddle lights

Thanks for the compliments, guys =)
I'm really trying to hunt down a DSLR to shoot pictures of these in better quality.

You guys ever have those days where you can't wait to get off work/school to drive your car, and it's dark out?
With these puddle lights I look even more forward to seeing my car, all lit up on the side as I approach it.
Love this mod.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

yep, I know exactly how you feel

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Some more pictures from when I did the other side mirror yesterday.

Took me like 3 minutes to remove the door panel, another 2 minutes to remove the side mirror, and another 10 minutes to drill the hole and mount the LED.
Wiring takes like 20 minutes. The wire comes through the door, and into the interior on top of the stock amp. Then extend the wires through to the driver side (using a coat hanger through the bottom of the radio) then use splice connectors to tap into the positive and negative wire from the driver side install.





Mirrors moved inward ready to remove glass:





Hole marked, small holes made.



Join holes:



Once hole is big enough, use sanding bit.

Sfr116

this project just had me sold

Bankz

GP does it again nice write up

ATLS_666

GP, hope you are ready to do all our cars this summer.

vietxquangstah

iTrader: (7)

Can you mark on the picture where you had to drill yours since you have a 07-08 and already did this?

I have a 08 myself. You're saying that for us 07-08 TLs we have to drill somewhere else to mount the LEDs?

guitarplayer16

iTrader: (8)

Found this in his thread: