ARB Guard install - signal lights

[mountainpete]

Hi all,

Finally got my ARB guard installed... not really too hard but the instructions were simply awful.

One thing was a bit unexpected... For some reason I thought that the bumper mounted signal lights would come with a plug and play adapter to connect to the factory plug/harness (at least mine didn't come with it).

For those of you who have done the install, did you come up with a clean or creative way to connect the lights? I don't really want to cut off the factory plug harness.

Thanks!

Pete

[John Luttrell]

I cut the wire on the factory connector about 6 inchs back from the plug so if I ever neded to go back to stock there would be plenty of wire to splice back in. I used wire splices to connect the turn signals then used sealant to keep moisture from getting into the splices.

[grillmasterp]

CliffNotes- I found terminals that mate to the end of the terminals of the Stock turn signal harness

Long Version:
Instead of cutting the stock connector or using scotchloks to splice the new harness into the stock wires...... I soldered on some female terminals to the the ARB Included wiring. I chose to integrate the use of the included quick connects in case I need to remove the ARB for any reason-
(Actually - I hate using those splice/scotch loks to splice wires- and wanted a clean install - In case I hever had to put back the stock bumper)
I carefully removed the plastic plug/harness from the end of the stock turn signal wires - Leaving just the two terminals exposed - I dental pick is a great tool to remove Toyota harness from the terminals.
I now connected the two male terminals from the truck turn signal wires to my soldered OEM female terminals on the ARB turn signal wires- I then Heat shrunk the connection-
( I happened to have extra toyota wiring & harnesses around since I pulled them from someones old junked door.)

I originally tried to find a plug that would plug & play into the stock harness - but since the connector is built into the turn signal housing - I didn't have any luck finding a similar connector

[mountainpete]

Hmm... I'm not really clear. First, are your connectors the same as mine?

Here are some pics (sorry for the poor light). I've actually never seen a bulb/harness combo like this before...

Pic 1 - ARB end
Pic 2 - Socket on factory plug with bulb and bulb holder removed
Pic 3 - Bulb holder - end to factory plug
Pic 4 - factory bulb in
Pic 5 - where factory bulb goes into

Ideally, I would like to find a way to connect from the ARB ends (which I am OK with cutting, etc) to the harness that goes to the switch. Is the factory plug (with bulb holder removed) common enough that i could find one with just two bare wires on the other end?

Thanks,

Pete

[P1michaud]

Originally Posted by mountainpete

For those of you who have done the install, did you come up with a clean or creative way to connect the lights? I don't really want to cut off the factory plug harness.

What I did for the TJM I used a Dremel and cut the TJM light housing out so that I could install my factory connector complete with bulb holder right into the bumper turn signal. I then sealed it using RTV silcone. With the TJM lights, I can remove the 2 mounting screws that hold the light to the bumper and then remove the front lens of the turn signal light. This allows me to change the bulb without having to re-seal with silicone every time. I'm not sure if the same applies for the ARB lights, but it's an option.
I can't post pics right now since my CPU is searching for the hard drive. It's fried.
Cheers,
P

[greatdisaster]

I did what P1michaud did to my ARB. The only change was putting a clear bulb in to replace the amber one. Works great IMHO.

[mountainpete]

That's an idea...

P1michaud, if you can post pics when your PCs is back up it would be much appreciated!

[platform389]

"For those of you who have done the install, did you come up with a clean or creative way to connect the lights? I don't really want to cut off the factory plug harness."

That is what I did. Soldered the wires and coated them with Liquid Electrical Tape

http://www.aquaticeco.com/index.cfm/...11554/cid/3006

Zero problems since installation.

[Rob]

Originally Posted by P1michaud

What I did for the TJM I used a Dremel and cut the TJM light housing out so that I could install my factory connector complete with bulb holder right into the bumper turn signal. I then sealed it using RTV silcone. With the TJM lights, I can remove the 2 mounting screws that hold the light to the bumper and then remove the front lens of the turn signal light. This allows me to change the bulb without having to re-seal with silicone every time. I'm not sure if the same applies for the ARB lights, but it's an option.
I can't post pics right now since my CPU is searching for the hard drive. It's fried.
Cheers,
P

Did you, or greatdisaster ever get pics of this?
Pete, How did you end up installing the turn signals?

[mountainpete]

I ended up using the ARB lights with the ARB bulbs (I didn't cut the housings), but took a different route with the connectors. I ended up doing exactly what I didn't want to do at first - I cut off the factory connectors. It's just the most reliable and cleanest way to go in my opinion. I found a set of waterproof quick release connectors at a local autoparts shop and soldered and heatshrinked them on.

Haven't had a problem since then and I have been over the signal lights with water on a few occasions.

Pete

[P1michaud]

Originally Posted by Rob

Did you, or greatdisaster ever get pics of this?
Pete, How did you end up installing the turn signals?

Old post and sorry for the late reply, but better late than never!

No I never did get pictures, all you need to do is this:

1-Using Dremel with cut off wheel to cut the TJM turn signal bulb holder off flush with the back of the light.

2-Use a 7/8" hole saw to open up the TJM turn signal to accept the factory bulb holder/socket. I had to use the Dremel again to enlarge the opening and cut four notches to match the factory socket (i.e. look at how the OEM socket is made, it has 4 slots to lock the OEM bulb holder/socket in place). The actual hole size is just under 1" but by using the 1" hole saw I found it a bitt too loose so stick to the 7/8" hole saw then adjust as necessary to obtain a nice tight fit.

3-I left the factory O-rings in place and added some silicone as an extra precaution. I have not had any issues to date. You can remove the turn signal cover from the front of the bumper via the 2 screws that hold the turn signal in place. This allows you to change the bulb if required.
Cheers ,
P

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

What a bummer that so much work is required to get this thing dealt with. There must be a better way from the factory/manufacturer.

Dave

[P1michaud]

Originally Posted by 4WD Toyota Owner Magazine

What a bummer that so much work is required to get this thing dealt with. There must be a better way from the factory/manufacturer.

Dave

Dave,
Agreed a plug and play solution would be much better, but the manufacturer probably uses the same signal lights for most of their bumpers thus making it hard to have the plug and play solution.

Cheers,
P