Obviously this is nothing but an aesthetic mod. Taking after the imports (yeah, I know....), I decided that removing the only orange color on the car would make it look much better. However, unlike those imports, there aren't any companies producing replacement housings that simply drop in (to the best of my knowledge). I really wasn't sure how to go about doing this procedure until I got a tip from Russell (Gen8X) from Jade Motorsports.
It was brought to my attention that for a quick, semi-clear corner lamp, simply replacing the orange 1156 bulbs in the front with clear 1156 bulbs will get you there. Keep in mind that you will still need to remove most of the splashguard to get at the sockets and the orange reflector on the side will remain. However, if you aren't comfortable with removing the valence, this would be a good second choice!
This is another mod that really isn't for the squeamish DIYer. To get the lamp housings out requires that the entire front valence be removed from the car. Also make sure that you have a set of clear bulbs ready to install in place of the orange ones. If memory serves, the clear replacements needed are #1156 which is generic across most popular brands (Sylvannia, GE, etc.)
- Heat gun (low heat is OK ~600°+) Thanks Russell!
- 8mm socket
- 10mm socket
- 12mm socket
- 14mm socket
- #2 Phillips screw driver
This is the condensed version of how to remove the front valence:
The first thing to do is begin loosening the inner fender well in front of each front tire. Also remove the pop-fastener at the top of the fender well. Under the plastic near the top of the well is a brass Phillips-head screw that holds the corner of the valence to the fender. Remove the screw.
Follow the fender well plastic under the front valance and continue removing bolts and plastic screw-fasteners so that the splashguard ends on either side of the valence can hang down. Under those flaps are short metal braces that attach to the bottom of the valance. Remove the nuts/bolts that connect it to the valance.
Unplug the wiring from the fog lamps.
Remove the screw-type fasteners holding the valence to the car (above/to side of fog lamps).
Now moving top-side, you must remove the front factory intake duct. At the same time, loosen the nut on the bracket directly next to the front nut on the intake duct (body color).
After that, the plastic cover under the hood latch (runs across from headlight to headlight) must be removed (7 screw-type fasteners).
After the plastic cover is gone, remove the bolt from the
bracket that attaches to front valence(directly next to the hood latch). Also at this
time, completely remove the the bolts from the radiator brackets
on both sides (silver brackets directly next to headlight).
The only remaining restraints should be clips on each side of the valence (see photo for location). The valence "snaps" on/off these. A good push towards the front of the car should free the valence from the clips. Be CAREFUL not to push too hard!
After the valence has been loosened from both clips, slide it forward enough to reach the bulb sockets in the corner lamps housings. Remove the sockets from both housings (4 bulbs altogether).
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With the valence free of the car, remove
the housings by removing the four Phillips-head screws
that are holding them in (left). Remove the two screws from the housing. Get out a chair and the heat gun and slowly go around the edges of the housing with the gun. After a while, the plastic will start to become gooey. Begin pulling the gray backing away from the clear lens. You will also need to unsnap the tabs to in order to do this (below). |
![]() After the orange piece is gone, you will have a crystal clear lens in its place. Since there is nothing reflective inside the housing behind it, it shows the bulb in plain view. To me, this was nearly as ugly as the orange lens. To help hide the bulb/inside of the housing, I took a can of "Satin" clear coat and dusted the inside of the lens (after masking off the rest of the dispersion patterned part) until it had a nice frosty appearance. |
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In the photo to the left, you can see
the original lens next to the altered one. The clear lens
doesn't have the Satin applied to it yet. It is easy to
see how the bulb would stick out like a sore thumb. After you have removed the orange and frosted the lens (if you wish), grab the heat gun again and re-heat the edges. Push the lens and housing back together. Re-install the two screws. |
Repeat the same procedure for the opposite side.
After both are done, screw the housings back into the valence.
Set the valence on the front of the car. Remove the orange bulbs from the sockets and replace them with the clear ones that you previously purchased. Install the sockets into the housings.
Re-attach the valence to the car. Don't forget that the valence needs to be slip straight onto the car in order to catch the clips. At the same time, it must line up with the various brackets and bolt holes in the front of the car, therefore it is much easier to have one person on each side.
Put everything back together! If you don't have any screws or nuts left over, congratulations!
BEFORE
AFTER
Jerry Rhodes offered this:
Here's something you might want to try one day. After replacing the orange bulbs with clear one's, I notice that the light was not that bright. The turn signal light is a dual filament bulb so I switch the wires around so the bright part lights up. Then I rewire the side marker lamp to be the turn signal. Now the parking lights are almost as bright as the stock fog lights. It gives the car a new look at night...
The only thing is the side marker lights only come on when using the turn signal.
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