M
mwb235
Guest
In another thread (see below link) I mentioned I’d fitted some red VQ/VP/VR/VS door courtesy lamps to my VF. I finally got it all finished and replaced the old incandescent bulbs. (The LED festoon lamps that I fitted previously were way too bright so I put the old incandescent bulbs back in until I sorted it all out.)
https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/vf-mylink-rear-aux-video-in-where-is-it.230161/page-2
The following isn’t a step-by-step guide, and it is a bit fiddly and time consuming. But still I hope it does help anyone who is interested.
I modified the lamp plastic to fit some red LED boards. I carefully removed (ground off with a dremel) the old copper festoon terminals. Bought these on feebay:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4X-Red-...&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&redirect=mobile
I stuck the LED boards to some thin aluminium cut to size then glued (clear silicone) just at the sides where the aluminium touches the lamp plastic, not the LED board itself. Also put some silicone around where the wires come out to give them strength as they are only thin.
I did the same for the boot lamp, using these white LED boards:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10x-Whi...&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&redirect=mobile
I made up another two white/clear lamps to fit a custom bonnet lamp setup. I remember my old VL Calais had one bonnet lamp back in the day, low down on the drivers side. So I wired in and fitted a simple on/off rocker switch rather than connect it through the catch, so lamps are only ever on if I switch them on myself. Decided to fit two lamps. Cut two pieces of 3mm thick steel and primed/painted them. Then i glued a thin sheet of aluminium to the visible part, bringing the two steel pieces together very tight using small but strong bolts and nuts, all attached to the under bonnet insulation/foam (not the bonnet). I did it this way so the foam around the edges is compressed by the two halves and sits tight and neatly etc. I only needed to cut away a small amount of aluminium off the bonnet bracket underneath (not much, I didn’t want to weaken it) where the wiring goes through and the bolts poke through. I tried taking a pic with the lamps on but it’s too bright to turn out properly.
I ran a two-core wire through bonnet along where the wiper jet tube comes out and down to the factory engine bay fuse box. I put a 5A fuse into vacant fuse #62 (top right corner) - one pin was already there (constant +12V) so I just clipped in a pin in the right place for the ground. I managed to find a matching pin/terminal out of my box of old cut up wiring harnesses. I even did a custom label for the fuse box lid sticker (like I did for my rear heated seats). Why not...
I’m happy with it. I know some people may ask “why bother” etc but who cares, I do it because I can and it keeps my OCD happy.
https://forums.justcommodores.com.au/threads/vf-mylink-rear-aux-video-in-where-is-it.230161/page-2
The following isn’t a step-by-step guide, and it is a bit fiddly and time consuming. But still I hope it does help anyone who is interested.
I modified the lamp plastic to fit some red LED boards. I carefully removed (ground off with a dremel) the old copper festoon terminals. Bought these on feebay:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/4X-Red-...&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&redirect=mobile
I stuck the LED boards to some thin aluminium cut to size then glued (clear silicone) just at the sides where the aluminium touches the lamp plastic, not the LED board itself. Also put some silicone around where the wires come out to give them strength as they are only thin.
I did the same for the boot lamp, using these white LED boards:
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/10x-Whi...&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&redirect=mobile
I made up another two white/clear lamps to fit a custom bonnet lamp setup. I remember my old VL Calais had one bonnet lamp back in the day, low down on the drivers side. So I wired in and fitted a simple on/off rocker switch rather than connect it through the catch, so lamps are only ever on if I switch them on myself. Decided to fit two lamps. Cut two pieces of 3mm thick steel and primed/painted them. Then i glued a thin sheet of aluminium to the visible part, bringing the two steel pieces together very tight using small but strong bolts and nuts, all attached to the under bonnet insulation/foam (not the bonnet). I did it this way so the foam around the edges is compressed by the two halves and sits tight and neatly etc. I only needed to cut away a small amount of aluminium off the bonnet bracket underneath (not much, I didn’t want to weaken it) where the wiring goes through and the bolts poke through. I tried taking a pic with the lamps on but it’s too bright to turn out properly.
I ran a two-core wire through bonnet along where the wiper jet tube comes out and down to the factory engine bay fuse box. I put a 5A fuse into vacant fuse #62 (top right corner) - one pin was already there (constant +12V) so I just clipped in a pin in the right place for the ground. I managed to find a matching pin/terminal out of my box of old cut up wiring harnesses. I even did a custom label for the fuse box lid sticker (like I did for my rear heated seats). Why not...
I’m happy with it. I know some people may ask “why bother” etc but who cares, I do it because I can and it keeps my OCD happy.
