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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Side Marker question
Posted by: Black22 Sep 29 2010, 08:47 PM
Getting the teener painted and decided to shave the side marker lights. Do I need to do anything special to the wires that would have been connected to the marker lights or just cap and seal em? I know these cars are funny about electrical stuff. 
Posted by: campbellcj Sep 29 2010, 11:21 PM
I did not do anything special to mine beyond sealing them against shorts.
Posted by: DanT Sep 29 2010, 11:47 PM
done it on 3 different cars now. just make sure to seal them up and tuck them up out of danger...
Posted by: Black22 Sep 30 2010, 02:06 AM
Thanks gentlemen...I will do just that.
Posted by: bmtrnavsky Sep 30 2010, 04:07 PM
I was thinking of shaving mine and replacing it with the marker light from a Late model Jetta like this: 
Has anyone done this?
Posted by: Black22 Sep 30 2010, 04:32 PM
I think someone did a similar side marker to that one on another thread. I believe it was a red or orange car.
Posted by: bmtrnavsky Sep 30 2010, 05:01 PM
I think they would look really sharp with a amber led bulb. I like the smooth look, but I am not to excited about anything that reduces visibility...
Posted by: Jeff Bowlsby Sep 30 2010, 05:22 PM
The USA sidemarkers are on USA 914s because of USA safety laws, protecting not only you but the other guy. We all know how ugly they are, but that was the way it was done back then. Look at todays cars...lots of lights at the corners. They allow other motorists to better see the front corners of the car in difficult lighting conditions or viewing angles. In fact the rear USA tailights also have internal sidemarkers that they don't require in Germany but the factory was able to integrate them into the tailight housings unlike the fronts. If this has to be done, why not go all the way and pull out the rear sidemarkers bulbs too? 
Front sidemarkers are also on Italian and Japanese 914s. Modifications for looks are one thing, but anything affecting safety is quite another.
We are not in Germany, their non-requirement for sidemarkers is not applicable here. Do what you may to your car if you feel compelled to...but don't sue the guy who hits you because your car does not comply with the law...and don't be surprised if he sues you for any damages he suffers because he could not see you.
Posted by: bmtrnavsky Sep 30 2010, 05:27 PM
The USA sidemarkers are on USA 914s because of USA safety laws, protecting not only you but the other guy. We all know how ugly they are, but that was the way it was done back then. Look at todays cars...lots of lights at the corners. They allow other motorists to better see the front corners of the car in difficult lighting conditions or viewing angles. In fact the rear USA tailights also have internal sidemarkers that they don't require in Germany but the factory was able to integrate them into the tailight housings unlike the fronts. If this has to be done, why not go all the way and pull out the rear sidemarkers bulbs too?
Front sidemarkers are also on Italian and Japanese 914s. Modifications for looks are one thing, but anything affecting safety is quite another.We are not in Germany, their non-requirement for sidemarkers is not applicable here. Do what you may to your car if you feel compelled to...but don't sue the guy who hits you because your car does not comply with the law...and don't be surprised if he sues you for any damages he suffers because he could not see you.
I'm curious now because there are two conversations going on here... Is the late model VW lite I am suggesting illegal? I wouldn't think so being that it is significantly brighter than the stock... I just think it looks less obtrusive in the daytime... I'm with you on thinking removing them completely is a very bad idea.
Posted by: Krieger Sep 30 2010, 08:38 PM
It is fairly easy to cut them back where they come out of the harness inside the trunk on the fenderwells.
Posted by: hot_shoe914 Oct 1 2010, 06:29 AM
I was thinking of shaving mine and replacing it with the marker light from a Late model Jetta like this:
Has anyone done this?
Look at the side marker lights on the car in the photo in this thread, looks good if you ask me.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=111612
Posted by: SLITS Oct 1 2010, 06:47 AM
Jeeezzzze .... we have side markers; we have third brake lights; we have backup cameras; we have back crossing warnings and still the body shops are busier than hell.
Ya think that inattentive drivers might be the problem? As long as they continue to issue licenses to the deaf, dumb, and blind, no amount of lights are going to help.
Posted by: draganc Oct 1 2010, 07:37 AM
...Ya think that inattentive drivers might be the problem? As long as they continue to issue licenses to the deaf, dumb, and blind, no amount of lights are going to help...
I used to have a motorcycle and ride now about 5-7k mls a year on my bicycle. most of the situation I ran into is because people are on the phone, coffee, make-up and not paying attention.
I have to repaint my car and I'll remove the side marker.
Posted by: bmtrnavsky Oct 1 2010, 12:35 PM
I was thinking of shaving mine and replacing it with the marker light from a Late model Jetta like this:
Has anyone done this?
Look at the side marker lights on the car in the photo in this thread, looks good if you ask me.
http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=111612
That is EXACTLY what I was thinking of doing... Not sure if I like it closer to the door or up in the original location but I think that looks pretty sweet!
Posted by: montoya 73 2.0 Oct 1 2010, 02:45 PM
I installed early VW type III sidemarkers on mine. They stick out a bit also but they are rectangular rather than a orange hockey puck! I then used some extra strong magnets to cover the old side marker holes with some metal grille badges.
Barrowed this pic from ISP West
http://www.vwispwest.com/product.php?ispproduct=vwispwest&cat=414&page=1&part=RS-311949101
Posted by: bembry Oct 1 2010, 02:51 PM
whoa!
Posted by: bmtrnavsky Oct 1 2010, 02:52 PM
I installed early VW type III sidemarkers on mine. They stick out a bit also but they are rectangular rather than a orange hockey puck! I then used some extra strong magnets to cover the old side marker holes with some metal grille badges.
I never considered the Type III marker light... I'll have to take a closer look and see what I like. I really want to get my car painted this winter...
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