Turn signal mod?

[56 CHEVY]

I would like to do something with the rear turn signals on my 86 FJ. Has anyone ever wired them to use the two bulbs in the brake light for right & left signal and remove the ones hanging out the side? I thought maybe I could use one of those converter boxes that are used to hook trailers to cars that have separate turn signal and brake light bulbs. Maybe it wouldn't be legal in which case I wouldn't do it, but I think the bike would look cleaner. Any comments?

Dan

[tqmx1]

That is what the kit is for. But it is nice to have the outer lights also the more the brighter the better!! With all the blind cagers on the road I like all the lights to the rear you can get (with in reason)

[TRoy]

the rear turn signals .. anyone ever wired them to use the two bulbs in the brake light for right & left signal. I thought maybe I could use one of those converter boxes that are used to hook trailers to cars that have separate turn signal and brake light bulbs.  Any comments?

Hi Dan.. Yes, I did that. The convertor box I used is called a "hoppy"... it sucked. The turn signals only really worked when the brake lights were on, and even then they were shitty.  I ran it this way for a year or 2, and everybody kept telling me they basically couldn't see my turn signals unless they were "expecting" them. I've since ripped it out of there and installed some stubby (front) R1 turn signals on a little bracket I made:
http://fjowners.com/gallery/23_12_07_09_1_28_38.jpeg
http://fjowners.com/gallery/23_12_07_09_1_29_45.jpeg

[roaddog]

I'm working on that. When I find the right system I'll give you a shout. I've got 1990 FJ1200.
RD

beatrice07@gmail.com

[56 CHEVY]

Thanks for the replys.

TRoy,
Nice job on the r1 mounting. If I don't get the tail light plan to work I'll do it that way. I have used one of those Hoppy converters on a car before & it didn't work very well either.

roaddog,
Thanks, let me know what you find out

[threejagsteve]

There are all kinds of R1/R6 setups on eBay... shorter stalks and a more modern look, and they look like they'd just bolt right on to your FJ bracket if you don't want to use the bracket that comes with many of the pairs.

They came with at least 2 different lens designs, so if you get singles from different sellers, make sure the lenses match.

[mikeholzer]

I have done this conversion on other bikes, but not the FJ. Rather than using the $15.00 auto-parts store Hoppy unit, I used a nicer solid state unit from a local towing supplier (i don't remember the brand). They were much smaller than the standard, and they worked really well. I also converted the tail lighting and forward signals to LED's and subbed in an electronic turn signal flasher with no bulb alert (very important) which mocked the original turn signal performance and improved the brightness differential between the tail and turn signal lights.

This mod worked especially well on a 2003 or 2004 (can't really remember any more) R1 that I did for a guy since it had (4) tail light bulbs instead of two. He opted for a flusher mounted front signal light which I don't think made them particularly visible, but the dude rode it like he stole it, so I'm sure that turn signals were low down on his priority list.

Anyway, there are better turn signal converters out there, but they're harder to find. I caught on to them when I was in the towing business; Japanese trucks with American lighting kits + LED lighting made it necessary for me to find a reasonable alternative to remain DOT compliant. The cheap converters burned out yearly, if not sooner (but these poor trucks saw 80-100,000 miles every year; go figure!). Check with a reliable towing and hitch product installer, or with a Tow Truck builder in your area. They'll know.

[56 CHEVY]

Mike,
I see your in Minneapolis. I live about 35 miles north of you in Isanti. Is there any way I could get the name of the supplier you used? I was thinking of going the LED route, but I'll have to do some research to learn how to do it.

Thanks
Dan

[tqmx1]

Any Uhaul store will have them in stock.

[mikeholzer]

56 Chevy-

Twin City Wrecker in St. Paul, just off of 35E and Maryland Street.

[56 CHEVY]

Thanks Mike, That isn't far from where I work. I'll check them out.

[junkyardroad]

56 Chevy

150? 210? Bel Air?
2 door
4 door
wagon
Nomad?

Mine is  210 2dr.  Had it 27 years. 5th engine 2nd tranny, now a garage queen.

[56 CHEVY]

Convertible. I've had it for 29 years. It was my first car I bought in high school.

[mikeholzer]

Mr. 56-

It's too bad that the weather this fall has sucked so hard, but maybe we can take a ride in the spring? I have a winter of carb maintenance and other repairs ahead of me, but I hope to get out there early next year and do better than the 3500 miles I did this year.