Edited photo to show European tail lights. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
Kevin

 

I'd like to convert mine too. I like the yellow indicator lens on the back.
Just ordered my fog lamp to go in the rear bumper so nice matching euro tail lights would be nice!

I'm sure the wiring could be sorted but them lens cover ain't gonna be cheap. Unless somebody across the pond wants to swap!

 

Have you tried simply switching the bulb positioning? Take the stop lamp bulb out and the turn signal bulbs out (still plugged in just out of the lamp) and see if they will just simply swap. I know on a lot of older cars you could easily do that as a mistake (dumb people who just switch bulbs and don't test).

 

This wouldn't be a solution, the bulbs would still function the same way but the location simply switched in the tail light. It seems this can't be accomplished without rewiring. I'll have to find a stereo shop that is willing to do some experimentation.

 

I like the amber lights in the back too. Guess they don't think they are sporty for the american market. I also wished the whole lens was lit up like the Volvo cars. There is so much tail light lens that would look cool with lights.

 

I have an appointment at a local stereo shop this Friday to check out if this mod is feasible. Will report back with results.

 

Do you intend to obtain the euro rear light unit having the yellow lens (like the one below) or are you just going to tinker with the blinker location & wiring on the one you have?

 

I plan to keep the same tail lights and mess with the wiring. Haven't looked into getting the Euro lenses but I am sure they would be expensive.

 

The mod was a success! The shop was able to swap the wires as I suspected in less than 20 minutes. Very satisfied with the result, the next best thing to the Euro tail lights in my opinion and only cost me $40.

Just to recap, the outer bulb now functions as both the parking and stop light. The inner bulb is now a dedicated turn signal.

 

Would you care to post how this was achieved? I intend to ship a Juke to Europe and need to make sure the blinkers are amber and I also need to install rear fog lights... still need to figure that one out...

Thanks!

 

I like this idea, but I would rather have the outer bulb as a dedicated signal and the inner as the parking/stop light. It just make more sense to me to have the signals closer to the corners. I'm sure I can get it rewired to be set up this way. Thx for the idea!

 

This would definitely be a harder setup since the outer bulb is dual filament and the inner bulb is single. Also keep in mind that by moving the parking light to the inner bulb, you no longer have any light source at the rear that is visible from the side of the car, which is required by most state and federal vehicle standards. Definitely keep us posted if you are able to make it work!

you know why euro likes are the way they are? its because the cant have RED turn signals by law it must be amber. thats why they are wired different.

Yes, I am aware of this. I disagree with the extent Nissan went to to create an all-red tail light just for the US when the European and Japanese models have separate amber turn signals that would have been perfectly legal here.

At the very least, this mod creates a turn signal that is independent of the parking light, which is much safer in my opinion.

 

you know why euro likes are the way they are? its because the cant have RED turn signals by law it must be amber. thats why they are wired different.

 

I think the current stock setup is well thought out and and doesn't need to improved upon...there are very good reasons why they are setup this way..

You definetly want to keep your turns and parking lamps to the outter edges of a vehicle because: 1) they act as vehicle edge markers so people can gage where the edge of your car is at night and 2) if you move the "turns" inwards they become difficult to see at any side angle other than from directly behind the vehicle...

Brake lamps should always be seperated out from the parking / turns for maximum light output at night from behind..meaning they will come on along with side parking lamps when you brake so you'll have greater rear illumination than if you just integrate the brake with the parking lamps...much safer!

 

Its always fun to watch folks try to re-invent the wheel...I think the current stock setup is well thought out and and doesn't need to improved upon...there are very good reasons why they are setup this way..

You definetly want to keep your turns and parking lamps to the outter edges of a vehicle because: 1) they act as vehicle edge markers so people can gage where the edge of your car is at night and 2) if you move the "turns" inwards they become difficult to see at any side angle other than from directly behind the vehicle...

Brake lamps should always be seperated out from the parking / turns for maximum light output at night from behind..meaning they will come on along with side parking lamps when you brake so you'll have greater rear illumination than if you just integrate the brake with the parking lamps...much safer!

I respectfully disagree. The factory setup is very uncommon; in fact the only car I can think of that has the turn signals integrated with the parking lights and a separate stop light is the last gen Mercury Cougar.

The overwhelming majority of vehicles on the road with multi-element tail lights have an integrated parking/stop light and a separate turn signal. Colors notwithstanding, I think this is the safest setup. Also note there are many cars on the road that have an inboard turn signal (Mazda3, Toyota Corolla). There is no requirement that the rear turn signal be mounted outboard or visible from the side of the vehicle.

 

Great suggestion, thanks!

 

Kevinxb, After your answer to my post I think I'd rather leave it as is since I wouldn't want to affect my side view visibility. It does sound to me that the ideal setup is the euro one. Great debate though ;-)

 

Totally as an aside, many years ago, I owned a 197? Camaro in England that had red lens tail lights that doubled up as turn signal lights.

After a cyclist crashed straight into the back of me, going down a hill, (his bike was demolished), he said he thought I was pumping the brake pedal and not indicating a right turn!!

While I was a fan of this arrangement, it made me very wary in the future at that time, because it was a feature relatively unknown in the U.K.

 

I see tons of cars that have the parking light and turn signal sharing the same red LEDs. Lot more than a hand full out there, but I don't like those either

 

I can't think of any vehicles with a combination LED parking light/turn signal and a separate standalone brake light.

There are many vehicles which combine all three functions into one bulb, which is what I believe you're referring to...both with LEDs and standard bulbs.

 

Yes all three in one, which is even worse. Especially with the way bmw peeps drive around here >_>

 

I too would prefer separate turn signal lamps but I agree with curious that for now, I would leave it as it is. I just wish other people actually used the turn signal no matter what configuration they have.

 

It blows my mind see how many people don't use turn signals. I'm honestly surprised their aren't more wrecks in the area because of this. Even when I'm driving like an idiot, I still signal.

Sent from AutoGuide.Com Android App.

 

I find it really strange the US cars have red turn signals and red brake signals. I was behind a mustang the other day and it confused the hell out of me.

Legally we can only have red at the rear, white/yellow at the front and amber at the sides. If you install underglow kits they have to be the same colours too.

 

^ not all US cars, but mustangs are one that for some reason does have solid red. the NEW mustangs have a signal that lights up from the inside to out one at a time to show its a signal vs brake light.