Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Electrical and Instruments => Topic started by: Rahul on December 15, 2020, 04:43:07

Title: Replacing US side marker lights, with round Italian-style lights
Post by: Rahul on December 15, 2020, 04:43:07

At the risk of initiating a polarising debate...! I am planning to switch out my US-spec headlights for the Euro style, and whilst at it I am considering replacing the blocky US side markers with a slightly more elegant round version similar to the Italian side markers.

I couldn't find any examples of people doing this before (lots of talk of returning cars to Italy-spec, but no updates or photos).

Here is a link to the lights I am planning to use - amber at the front, red at the rear: https://www.raneystruckparts.com/1-round-bulls-eye-led-lights-by-roadworks/

Is this going to be impractical... do the US markers leave too large a hole to fill with the round version etc?

Any feedback welcomed, thanks

Title: Re: Replacing US side marker lights, with round Italian-style lights
Post by: Vander on December 15, 2020, 12:42:23

The US Marker lights do have a larger hole size. The holes will need welded up, body worked and panels painted to install the Italian lights.

Title: Re: Replacing US side marker lights, with round Italian-style lights
Post by: Jordan on December 15, 2020, 14:45:09

I'm pretty sure the Italians only had the round side marker lights at the front.  There were no rear side marker lights.  Someone with more knowledge can confirm or correct me.  I have two Italian cars (not Pagoda's) and neither has rear side marker lights and both originally came from Italy.

Title: Re: Replacing US side marker lights, with round Italian-style lights
Post by: Pawel66 on December 15, 2020, 15:12:29

Were they not blinkers rather than marker lights on Italian cars?

Title: Re: Replacing US side marker lights, with round Italian-style lights
Post by: Jordan on December 15, 2020, 15:20:08

Quote from: Pawel66 on December 15, 2020, 15:12:29

Were they not blinkers rather than marker lights on Italian cars?

Yes, they are indicator lights.

Title: Re: Replacing US side marker lights, with round Italian-style lights
Post by: Vander on December 15, 2020, 17:29:45

Quote from: Jordan on December 15, 2020, 14:45:09

I'm pretty sure the Italians only had the round side marker lights at the front.  There were no rear side marker lights.  Someone with more knowledge can confirm or correct me.  I have two Italian cars (not Pagoda's) and neither has rear side marker lights and both originally came from Italy.

That is correct Italian Pagodas only had marker lights on the front, nothing in the rear.

So converting a U.S. car to Italian on the rear, weld, body work and paint over. Don't add any markers/or lights.

Title: Re: Replacing US side marker lights, with round Italian-style lights
Post by: Rahul on December 15, 2020, 18:53:47

Yeah, I am doing this more to make the existing lights less ugly (!!) rather than a full conversion to Italian-spec. So would avoid any welding/re-painting etc.

Ultimately I want everything to be fully reversible to US-spec to preserve the originality of the car.

Sounds like this is not quite the straight-swap I had hoped and difficult to achieve.

Title: Re: Replacing US side marker lights, with round Italian-style lights
Post by: teahead on December 15, 2020, 18:57:47

I like the idea, but unfortunately, there's more than just one hole if you look at the backside.

(https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/dPoAAOSwq~tZRuWS/s-l1600.jpg)