DIY: 96-00 EK Sidemarker Install

[PICHY]

http://www.talkjdm.com/showthread.php?t=518

DIY: 96-00 EK Sidemarker Install
Source Link - Click Here

This How-To is based solely on my experience, but pictures and some steps were taken from the source (see above for link). I take no responsibility for your actions when attempting this install.

EK Sidemarkers:
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

Sidemarkers Template/Diagram:
Note: A tip given was to to cut the holes smaller than the template for a tighter fit. I personally used the Template for my Hatch.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ADOBE READER VERSION OF THE DIAGRAM

DIY Installation Process:
You can see in the following pic the placement on the fender using the above Diagram. It is 155mm from the molding's top to the bottom of the masking tape and 140mm from the edge of the door to the edge of the masking tape's intersection.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

The center/intersection of the two tapes is marked with an "X" - this is where the center of the Sidemarker will go.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

Find the center of the Template and line it up with the tape, so that they overlap eachother and then tape it down.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

Use a drill to make a small hole in the center of the template, then use a Metal Knibbler to cut the entire sidemarker area out. Metal Knibbler can be bought from Radio Shack - Although using it may be more time consuming it works great for this DIY and its safer than using a dremel.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

Begin cutting the Fender, a "T" works best to start, but not necessary.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

After you've cut the entire Sidemarker area (following the diagram provided) it should look like this. Remember to add some touch-up paint to the bare metal to prevent rust. Simply mask around the hole and spray paint it (color does not matter as the sidemarker will cover it - I used black on my Hatch).
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

Begin wiring the Sidemarkers. Wiring can be bought from Radio Shack for a couple of bucks, make sure to get female connectors as well - I suggest you take one (1) of the Sidemarkers with you to Radio Shack to see which female connector size will fit best and if you need help picking out which wire to use just show them the sidemarker and ask. You have two options of how to wire your Sidemarkers: USDM or JDM. The difference between these is that on the USDM the Sidemarkers only blink when the turn signal is on, while on the JDM the Sidemarkers stay on and blink alternately with the turn signal. To gain access to the wires you need, simply pull back the fender liner and remove the parking light. There are three (3) wires going to the bulb, tap into the wires according to the style you want to use (USDM or JDM).
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

USDM: Tap into the Green Wire (turn signal) and Black Wire (ground) wire.
JDM: Tap into Red Wire (parking light) and Green Wire (turn signal).

Put Sidemarkers in to test fit, make sure everything is good, if some notches are preventing the Sidemarker to go all the way in, then cut them off with the Metal Knibbler or Sand it down.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

After you get a nice fit of the Sidemakers you can remove the masking tape and put them in, at this point you can do the optional step of adding Silicone or some type of sealer around the sidemarkers to prevent water from gaining access. After silicone is applied, wipe off excess that smeared onto the fender.

Picture of finished Product:
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 640x480.

My Hatch's Sidemarkers using this DIY:
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 706x535.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 706x535.

Hope this DIY helps you guys out, it is pretty detailed and usefull. If you got any questions let me know I'll try to help you guys out if I know the answer. Also, if you have a practice fender it works best to try it on that first to see how it'll turn out, I didnt have one when I did mine, so its not really needed, but recommended. Anyways, enjoy the DIY!

- Danny

Elite Whores Crew Member #3 | SOHC Crew Member #4
Hatch Squad Member #5 | JDM Crew Member #3

Photoshoots: (Sept '06) (Dec '06) (Sept '07)

[cigrafix]

I sell the decals that make this job a snap! I just have to mak a video of the install!

[dmacedo]

that's such a good idea^

[PICHY]

Originally Posted by cigrafix

I sell the decals that make this job a snap! I just have to mak a video of the install!

i need some plz

[PICHY]

doing this tomorrow

but im nor using that cutter looks like it damaged the fender around the cut if you look closely

[PICHY]

well im sure everyone knows about this DIY

http://www.talkjdm.com/showthread.php?t=518

well with that and these new side marker templates i picked up from www.thesiglab2k4.com it made the job a snap.. at least for me.. ( please if these is in wrong area i apologize and please move thx )

here we go..

following the instructions from the original thread.. i continued with the templates this way..
it may be 1 or 2 mm off because im not perfect.. but if u wanna measure it to call me a ricer then be my guest.. here it is

X marks the spot.. i used a hair dryer to heat up the fender so the tape and vinyl stick better ( it was very cold out when i did it )



now i used www.thesignlab2k4.com templates, because of the difficulty of viewing the X through the top layer of the template, i took a pen and punctured a hole on the center where the black dot is



looking through the peek hole.. i looked for the center of the X and carefully placed the template on the fender while maintaining it as straight as possible. using the tape under it as a guide.. but make sure you place the tape straight to begin with..


idk why i did this but i drilled a hole in the center of the X.. but i was fully cutting it off with a dremel.. oh well may be a precaution idk..


warning... if you do not have steady hands do not use the following tool.. i recommend a professional..

this is my weapon of choice..
please remember safety first.. make sure you have a pair of safety glasses face shield if available and dust mask..

now because the vinyl will melt from the extreme heat using a disk cutter.. i made my cut smaller then the template. then reduced it closer to the template lining with a different tool (carbide cutter) which generates less heat @ lower speed.. you will most likely have a very sharp burr around the cut.. i used a stone tool on the dremel to remove it.. but you can also use a file..



finished drivers side.... side marker clicks right in..


the reason that made me move away from the tool originally used on the original DIY thread. is because on his pics i see distortion around the cut.. that turned me off.. but again if unsure see a professional.


now my hatch is going to the paint shop Monday so this will be painted .. ill have him spray some protection from the other side and around the cut to prevent rust..

passenger side..


again its off by a couple of mm.. im only human
thanks to the www.signlab2k4.com for the templates it did make it much easier
all done

thx for viewing

[PICHY]

passenger side.. again its off by a couple of mm.. im only human
thanks to the signlab2k4.com for the templates it did make it much easier
all done waiting for paint
exhaust install etc

[cigrafix]

pichy you got to post that write up on ht

[jdmb162ksi]

very niice ....niice write up cant wait to do it to my coupe...i gunna need the templates

[PICHY]

Originally Posted by cigrafix

pichy you got to post that write up on ht

where do i put it?