LS430 facelift fog lamp, spare socket?

[jeremy156]

Looking at the lights on my 2005 LS430, I noticed that the fog lamp in the lower bumper is split into two sections, one as a foglamp, the smaller outer part apparently empty.  Any idea what this was supposed to be for?  Perhaps side markers in another market?  I'm considering whether that would make a nice place to install some constant lights as DRL.

[Superduner]

There are loads for sale out there that do just that

[jeremy156]

Superduner, could you point me in the right direction please? I’m probably not using the correct search terms.

Many thanks,

Jeremy

13 hours ago, Superduner said:

There are loads for sale out there that do just that

 

[Superduner]

You could start here:

led drl fog light | eBay

[BigBoomer]

The outer section is blocked off on the UK model fog light housings. It's the same in the US market.
The 2000-2003 model ones had the DRL in the outer section in the Japanese market, but I can't find any info for the 2004-2006 models.
It does seem stupid to have that empty outer section though.
 

 

[jeremy156]

31 minutes ago, Superduner said:

You could start here:

led drl fog light | eBay

Sorry, I thought you meant something specific to this car - yes I'm comfortable with the wiring using relay and should be able to make an appropriate cut in the housing - I had raised hopes that perhaps someone markets a plug-in LS430 shaped lamp assembly with bulb mounted 😉

[jeremy156]

2 minutes ago, BigBoomer said:

The outer section is blocked off on the UK model fog light housings. It's the same in the US market.
The 2000-2003 model ones had the DRL in the outer section in the Japanese market, but I can't find any info for the 2004-2006 models.
It does seem stupid to have that empty outer section though.
 

 

I did also look at other markets and found nothing... but didn't think to check pre-facelift... well done for spotting it there, I wonder why they didn't do that in the post-facelift model.  How curious!

[DruLS]

I put some amber side markers in my old LS in that spare socket, but I didn't like the look - there's no seperation in the housing so the light leaks across. But each to their own. 

[jeremy156]

I've chosen to let them be and instead swap the indicator bulbs for "switchback" LEDs that will illuminate white with engine running and headlamps switched off - and then flash amber with the indicators.  Hoping it'll look like it was supposed to be there.  I'll post back with photos when I get it done.

[jeremy156]

I promised photos - a video shows it more clearly.

 

[cruisermark]

WOW - these look great - can you post details of the bulbs please - do you simply swap the bulb over? and how easy is it to do - the space behind the headlight can be quite limited!

[jeremy156]

The unit I bought was https://www.vleds.com/shop-application/turn-signals-front/7440/v6-triton-wa-7440.html plus a wiring adapter.  It's underneath the headlight rather than on top, so by removing the wheel lining it was relatively straightforward.  The only challenge was tapping into sidelight for the "dim" signal and finding an ignition switched source from the fusebox to fire up the DRLs.

 

[steve2006]

On the facelift JDM versions and possibly USA models the outer sections are used for turn illumination.

At night when you put the indicator on the light on the same side comes on to help you see the corner better as you turn, once the indicator cancels the light also goes out.

[ambermarine]

Thats probably why they are not fitted  to European models as they will be seen as confusing and dangerous to the standards set and would not comply . 

[steve2006]

1 hour ago, ambermarine said:

Thats probably why they are not fitted  to European models as they will be seen as confusing and dangerous to the standards set and would not comply . 

Nothing mentioned on the MOT maybe went unnoticed but I agree with your comments here in the UK.

The fender pole again is probably illegal having a blue LED light on the tip at night but at least it doesn’t flash 😀

[Malc]

listen up folks .....  Steve's stopped being a flasher at nights !

Malc

[Tulpen]

2 hours ago, Malc said:

listen up folks .....  Steve's stopped being a flasher at nights !

Malc

He didn't say he'd stopped.......just that it's 'probably illegal'!

😄

[steve2006]

Reminds me of a now frowned upon joke involving two guys from a certain country checking the car’s indicators “They’re on, they’re off, they’re on.” One of them was named after the vet in Emmerdale apparently.