MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Appearance Related => Topic started by: dancarbon on July 19, 2003, 18:02

Title: Side Repeaters
Post by: dancarbon on July 19, 2003, 18:02
Quote from: "krisclarkuk"Now just dump the orange side repeaters:

Can I ask: why the hatred for the orange side repeaters?
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Post by: Anonymous on July 19, 2003, 18:15
oh oh... here comes the witch hunt for Kris!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

IMHO, they just look cheap and nasty... you find that you get lovely sleek looking cars, designed by very talented guys and then stuck on the side is a horrible orange blob of cheap plastic!

Thats just my opinion though   s:) :) s:)
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Post by: dancarbon on July 19, 2003, 19:43
Quote from: "krisclarkuk"oh oh... here comes the witch hunt for Kris!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:
Not at all mate.

Quote from: "krisclarkuk"then stuck on the side is a horrible orange blob of cheap plastic
So replace them with a horrible blob of white/clear plastic?   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

IMHO The jurys out, at least they're not a foot long on the corners like those crazy yanks. If the replacements were a fiver I'd probably do it, but £20-30 seems a lot for a very slight aesthetic alteration.

  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:
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Post by: Slacey on July 19, 2003, 19:53
Quote from: "dancarbon"If the replacements were a fiver I'd probably do it, but £20-30 seems a lot for a very slight aesthetic alteration.
I agree, but after seeing a Pshop pic where some cheeky scamp (I don't think I need to name names   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  ) made them clear along with a mock-up of my new wheels, it did make the car look an awful lot better IMO - it did look odd with all the dark colour.
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Post by: Anonymous on July 19, 2003, 19:58
Quote from: "dancarbon"So replace them with a horrible blob of white/clear plastic?   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

IMHO The jurys out, at least they're not a foot long on the corners like those crazy yanks. If the replacements were a fiver I'd probably do it, but £20-30 seems a lot for a very slight aesthetic alteration.

  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:

Nah, they just look so much better... dont know why, its just orange is.... i dont know.... cheap looking i guess!   s:? :? s:?  

LOL! I guess thats part of it - the yanks have those orange lights all over the place dont they!   s:o :o s:o  

You dont have to get clear... i had smoked ones on my red escort and they looked MUCH better than the clear ones and the orange ones. Now smoked ones would look good on a black '2.

Take a look at the cars at JAE and see what you think of the clear ones... you might like it... go on... come over to the dark site (well clear side anyway!)
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Post by: Slacey on July 19, 2003, 20:03
Quote from: "krisclarkuk"Now smoked ones would look good on a black '2.
Hmmmm.. in keeping with my new 'stealth' look, these would be ideal - anyone know how to subtly smoke the clear lenses I'll be getting from Fensport? (And no jokes about sticking them between a couple of Rizla's please   s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  )
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Post by: Anonymous on July 19, 2003, 20:22
you can buy this nasty black-out spray that max muppets use on their rear lights to smoke them really badly... however, with one pass over of this spray it might just smoke them enough.

The alternative is to get some from say The Motorist Centre (or whatever you have near you) - they will probably do aftermaket versions in smoke... i can check for you if you want as i have a mate that works there?
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Post by: dancarbon on July 19, 2003, 20:55
I was actually thinking of getting some of the tinting spray and lightly tinting the side repeaters and parts of the rear lights (note: lighlty  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  )
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Post by: Anonymous on July 19, 2003, 20:59
Quote from: "dancarbon"I was actually thinking of getting some of the tinting spray and lightly tinting the side repeaters and parts of the rear lights (note: lighlty  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  )

Be careful... do it wrong and you will make your car look like something that should be on the cover of max muppet magazine... seriously though, the spray is pretty poor so make sure your carefull with it.   s:) :) s:)
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Post by: dancarbon on July 19, 2003, 21:09
Quote from: "krisclarkuk"Be careful... do it wrong and you will make your car look like something that should be on the cover of max muppet magazine... seriously though, the spray is pretty poor so make sure your carefull with it.   s:) :) s:)

Yeah I know, I did it once before on a Mini years ago - it looked good though I did take them a lot darker than I would the 2, the difference being that a replacement light lens would have been about a quid from the scrapyard for the Mini - I dread to think what the rear cluster costs for the 2. Side repeaters shouldn't be a problem but I'll have to build my confidence for the rears.

Thanks for your concern Kris.
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Post by: Anonymous on July 19, 2003, 21:28
Quote from: "dancarbon"Yeah I know, I did it once before on a Mini years ago - it looked good though I did take them a lot darker than I would the 2, the difference being that a replacement light lens would have been about a quid from the scrapyard for the Mini - I dread to think what the rear cluster costs for the 2. Side repeaters shouldn't be a problem but I'll have to build my confidence for the rears.

Thanks for your concern Kris.

No probs mate - just cringe(sp?) at the thought of you accidently messing up your lovely '2!   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:
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Post by: Anonymous on July 20, 2003, 15:09
Am I missing something here?

Was not sure after reading this post, but checked out the window to see that I do already have clear side indicators.

Have different models got different coloured lenses then?
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Post by: Anonymous on July 20, 2003, 15:35
Yeah, the 03 model was given clear side repeaters.
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Post by: dancarbon on July 20, 2003, 16:11
Quote from: "krisclarkuk"No probs mate - just cringe(sp?) at the thought of you accidently messing up your lovely '2!   s:shock: :shock: s:shock:

My concern too.
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 12:28
Just reading this topic with interest... I've got to ditch my Orange repeaters! Especially now I have the 03 vents...

Anyway, Are Fensport lenses the way to go? I'm sure I read something on the old board about having to fettle them slightly to improve the fit and stop the flimsy front wing being slightly distorted?

Have Fensport sorted this out yet?! Can anyone recommend a good mail order source.. I've got an itchy mouse finger this afternoon, and I might just order them today!

Cheers,
Tim
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Post by: Slacey on July 21, 2003, 12:46
Quote from: "c_a_r_t_e_r"Anyway, Are Fensport lenses the way to go? I'm sure I read something on the old board about having to fettle them slightly to improve the fit and stop the flimsy front wing being slightly distorted?

Have Fensport sorted this out yet?! Can anyone recommend a good mail order source.. I've got an itchy mouse finger this afternoon, and I might just order them today!
Yeah, I remember this as well - I'm not sure if they have been sorted or not, but I'm picking mine up from Fensport at JAE, so I'm sure one of the others guys can give me a hand if there are 'modifications' required.
You can get a set from Toyota, but they are expensive (surprise), fensport are here... http://www.fensport.co.uk
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 12:47
FYI I got mine from Fensport and they popped in with no problems at all.  This was a while back too (6 months or so).

Piece of cake!

HTH

--H--
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 14:33
Cheers Guys.

I've just been on the phone to my local MrT.. apparantly the clear lenses are £10.66 +VAT... although that's just for the clear plastic bits.. it seems that there's 3 different part numbers:

The lens
The rubber seal
The bulb holder/clip

Hmm... I've ordered just the clear lenses to try them out.. I'm dubious, but I guess the whole repeater unit must just pop apart somehow! Got to be worth a try!

Otherwise I'll get the fensport ones!

Tim
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 14:37
You should only need the clear plastic lenses.  I got the whole unit from Fensprt but I can't remember how the unit comes apart.  I'll have a look at my old ones tonight if you like.

--H--
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 14:37
You will still need an orange bulb to put inside the repeater... or it will flash white and you will get told off my Mr Plod!
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 14:39
Quote from: "krisclarkuk"You will still need an orange bulb to put inside the repeater... or it will flash white and you will get told off my Mr Plod!
True, although those can be had cheap down your local motor shop.  The bulb type is W5W IIRC

HTH

--H--
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 15:08
Yes! Thanks guys! Toyota were going to order me the orange bulbs, but I like the look of the fancy silvery ones that glow orange.. or I might do my own home-brew job on some Halfords orange ones, as I think someone else has done on the forum!

Hardcore.. if you could have a look at your old ones for me, that would be fantastic! I won't get the new lenses until Wednesday at the earliest, and it would be good to get a second opinion on how they should come apart...

Tim
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Post by: Darth Paul on July 21, 2003, 15:56
I went to a breakers yard, and er, 'liberated' some off a totalled Corolla. Ahem.  s:oops: :oops: s:oops:    s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  

If you're buying them from Mr T, you should only need the clear part, as you'll re-use the existing rubber and bulb holder.

Some folks here remove the wheel well liner to pop the repeater off from inside. Tosh. Wrap a flat bladed screwdriver in tape and insert it at the back of the repeater between the clear lens and the rubber. This way you don't touch the paintwork. A slight twist and pop, out it comes.

And it was me who painted the bulbs. I didn't fancy paying a huge amount for those fancy clear-but-light-up-orange bulbs. Just mask off the lower part, and LIGHTLY spray the glass, having cleaned it first with white spirit. Then I lightly sanded the glass to allow more light through. From a distance they appear all silver, and behind the lens you cannot see the sanded scratch lines. Works a treat.  s:wink: :wink: s:wink:  Did it for the rears too.

DP
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 16:15
Looking at the old parts list the lens and mounting unit are one part so I'm not sure what Toyota are going to give you.  I'll have a look at mine tonight and let you know anyway.

I'm with Paul about getting the repeater unit out, it just pops out, in fact there's even a diagram in the manual that shows you how to do it that way anyway.

--H--
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 16:26
Thanks for the info guys. I'll update this post later in the week when I get the parts.. and see exactly what I'm getting for my money!

So DP, they're the same as on a new-ish Corolla? If my lens replacing attempt is unsuccessful, I'll bear that in mind!   s:D :D s:D  

A friend of mine has a 4motion golf, and the repeaters have nice shiny silver bulbs in them.. but if they prove to be too expensive, I'll definitely go the silver spray paint and sandpaper route! Top tip!

Tim.
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Post by: Anonymous on July 21, 2003, 16:31
Quote from: "c_a_r_t_e_r"A friend of mine has a 4motion golf, and the repeaters have nice shiny silver bulbs in them..
That's because VW side repeater lenses are completely clear, so you can see the fancy bulb.  The replacement "clear" repeater lenses for the '2 aren't really clear, their opaque, just not orange!

--H--
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Post by: Jap GT300 on July 21, 2003, 17:48
Official Toyota replacements for £20.  They plug and play unlike the Fensport ones and they are cheaper.

See my website!

Adam
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Post by: Anonymous on July 22, 2003, 10:10
OK, so I had a look at my old repeaters last night.  Basically there's the bulb, bulb holder (attached to the cable) rubber seal and lens unit.  The lens unit looks like it's two pieces, the lens itself and the bracket at the back.

The lens and bracket appear to be glued together and I couldn't easily get them apart, but I'd expect you could with a knife, and then glue a new lens on.

I'd suspect that you will get a new lens unit from Toyota, ilke you get from Fensport, except minus the rubber seal and bulbs.

HTH

--H--
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Post by: Anonymous on July 22, 2003, 11:20
Cheers for that H!

Ok, so I'll let you know how I get on with my lenses from Toyota.. I would imagine that they would just clip onto the main bulb holder bit as you suggested.. we shall see!

Oh, and cheers Adam!  If the lens swap doesn't work out, then I'll be in touch!   s:D :D s:D  

Tim
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Post by: Darth Paul on July 22, 2003, 12:48
Quote from: "Hardcore"
Quote from: "c_a_r_t_e_r"A friend of mine has a 4motion golf, and the repeaters have nice shiny silver bulbs in them..
That's because VW side repeater lenses are completely clear, so you can see the fancy bulb.  The replacement "clear" repeater lenses for the '2 aren't really clear, their opaque, just not orange!

--H--

IIRC the repeaters on Golfs et al use orange bulbs in a clear lens. The reason they appear silver is because there is a chrome cap which hides the top part of the bulb.

DP
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Post by: Anonymous on July 22, 2003, 12:57
Quote from: "Darth Paul"IIRC the repeaters on Golfs et al use orange bulbs in a clear lens. The reason they appear silver is because there is a chrome cap which hides the top part of the bulb.

DP
Correct, well remembered!  Now I come to think of it that's exactly what my old Polo had.

--H--
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Post by: Tem on July 22, 2003, 16:46
Quote from: "c_a_r_t_e_r"So DP, they're the same as on a new-ish Corolla?

Actually they seem to be the same as in just about any Toyota...at least the new Corolla and Celica have the same. But so has a 1992 Carina...and several other cars, I just haven't popped them all out ::)
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Post by: Anonymous on July 29, 2003, 10:53
Well, I finally picked up the new clear lenses from my local MrT last night.. and fitted them in about 5 minutes - a very easy job.

I know I'm preaching to the converted here, but my car (lagoon blue) looks soooo much better with clear lenses, I should have done it years ago!   s:lol: :lol: s:lol:  

Total cost was £28.04, including amber bulbs from Halfords - which wasn't too painful.. comparable to Fensport I think, if you include their postage.

The clear lens Toyota provide is the whole lens unit, with the grey back bit with the clips to hold it into the wing. You just re-use the rubber from the original part.

If anyone is still putting it off.. do it now! You can just call the parts department about 3 days before your next service, and pick them up then!

Cheers,
Tim.
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Post by: darrenjuggins on July 29, 2003, 12:29
Clear repeater....

just had roof replaced and clear lenses installed on my silver haze 2, they look great, cost about £30 including everything, gonna get them to knock 10 % off though as the buggers forgot...

it really does make a difference, less distracting as you look down the length of the car.

Cheers

Darren