by Russ » 30 Jan 2011 6:18 Before things go further, different people (countries) refer to these lights differently. Most US folk seem to refer to them as Running Lights or Driving Lights. Here in Aus we call them Parking Lights, or parkers.
Also, what I call Hazzards, others call Flashers or Emergency Lights - which is both indicators flashing at the same time.
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A member over on CCC named Tony Edler (bigblue73) has been making LED replacement kits for a few vehicles - one of them being E-Body Mopars.
The idea of the LED is to better distinguish between the parkers & indicators.
The parkers will now function using white light, whilst the indicators remain orange.
Cost of the Challenger kit is $239US and consists of the following:
2x Brackets
2x Gaskets
2x LED Clusters
2x Clear Lens Covers
1x instructions
In this shot are also 2x Electrical Flasher Relays. They don't actually come with the kit, but are something that you may need to replace.
Everything in the kit is high quality, and nothing feels flimsy or half-arsed. Very well made, and I believe all Made in the USA.
The install: Unscrew the 2 screws of the lens cover. Be sure to keep the screws - you'll need them to attach the new covers.
Remove standard bulb. Replace gasket if necessary.
Thread new wiring through bracket, remove 3M backing tape, and adhere bracket to cluster backing:
Insert into socket. Fitting in the manner of a standard 1157 bulb. Press & twist.
Set bracket with cluster then lens cover to fit in place. Screw it in.
Repeat on other side.
Looking good!
There are no modifications needed of any kind. No splicing into wiring harnesses or connection alterations. Simply take the old bulb out, plug the LED cluster in. The one thing you may need is to replace the flasher relay, which is this thing here:
I believe the problem is that LED's draw a very low amount of amps, too low for some standard relays, which can result in ghosting issues or the Hazzards (flashers) not working etc. If that's the case, you'll need to buy one of these - they're called Electronic Flashers or No-Load Flashers. They go under the dash and are very easy to access. Simply pull the old ones out & plug the new one in.
These are the brand I got: http://www.keepitcleanwiring.com/catalog/Relays-and-Flashers/L.E.D.-Flashers/FF552NLF/No-Load-Fixed-Flasher. Though any decent auto-parts store should stock something similar. Should only be about $5-$10 each.
I actually didn't need to replace them on mine, but some people will need to.
Now that that is done, here are some videos to better demonstrate how they actually perform.
Please excuse their blandness with lack of titles & commentary. Though it's fair to say, the visuals should speak for themselves.
Video 1: Before the swap, with factory amber lenses & standard 1157 bulbs - Note the lack of clarity of the right indicator whilst parkers are on.
Video 2: After the swap, in daylight.
Video 3: After the swap, at night. - Excuse the noisy crickets!
