Front signal markers: Generic vs real Lucas L539

[JohnK]

I've started fitting signal lights and headlights to the body, and I'm somewhat unimpressed with the quality of the front signal markers that FFR provides. The chrome trim rings have rough edges to them which I was able to smooth somewhat, but the amber plastic lenses don't sit flush in the chrome trim rings which results in the chrome rings not sitting with an even reveal on the body. I've monkeyed around a lot with getting them aligned and they're better than they were originally but still not great. Has anyone here replaced the FFR-provided signal markers with genuine Lucas L539's? Is there a noticeable difference in quality between the two, and do the genuine lights have the same bolt spacing?



https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=164471&d=1648159164

[boat737]

I did, and got them from Rogers Motors (rogers@jollyrogersmotors.com).

Item : Lucas L539 Clear Lens & Rim Pair, New [Lucas]
SKU : RM00770
Quantity : 1
Item Price : $30.60
Item Total : $30.60

I don't know if the chrome ring quality is any better or not, I can't remember comparing the two for that. I wanted the clear lens, rather than the amber color. I'm using an amber LED bulb behind the clear lens. I think I got the amber LED from Superbright LED's.

I also did the Kleiner (Capt O-Ring) mod. Thinking back, I think the chrome ring did fit better because I ended up using a smaller gauge rubber O-ring. The Jeff Kleiner size was a bit too thick to fit between the chrome ring and the body.

[JohnK]

Thanks! So, if I understand correctly you replaced only the lens and rim, and it fit correctly on the FFR signal light body?

[GWL]

Jeff Kleiner has a good fix with the '0' ring but I went another way. Check out my post #9 here:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?35436-Front-turn-light-housing-bezel

I did a bit of research for this and think the Lucas L692 is a better unit as it has a better lens for visibility, fits against the body naturally and is partly original.

See my posts for details.

George

[boat737]

Thanks! So, if I understand correctly you replaced only the lens and rim, and it fit correctly on the FFR signal light body?

Correct. The lens and chrome rim fit the FFR lens mount fine.

[Skip]

I checked my Mk3 and sure enough, I have the gap where the housing is visible. ☹️ Never noticed before, but now I’ve got to change it.

Did the originals have the front lenses that were held on with two screws or where the chrome trim ring held the lenses in place?

[EZ$]

John, you should check out John's (Fixit on the forum), mod to have running lights all the time when the car is running. Using a clear lens, and a Superbright switchback LED, you have white lights all the time except when you turn on a turn signal or the hazards, and then they flash amber. The mod was easy enough that even I didn't screw it up! Unfortunately, I don't remember what page of his build thread it was on. The clear lenses from Rogers' Motors fit even better than the original FFR lenses. Really inexpensive, and they come with a new chrome ring.

[Fman]

I did, and got them from Rogers Motors (rogers@jollyrogersmotors.com).

Item : Lucas L539 Clear Lens & Rim Pair, New [Lucas]
SKU : RM00770
Quantity : 1
Item Price : $30.60
Item Total : $30.60

I don't know if the chrome ring quality is any better or not, I can't remember comparing the two for that. I wanted the clear lens, rather than the amber color. I'm using an amber LED bulb behind the clear lens. I think I got the amber LED from Superbright LED's.

I also did the Kleiner (Capt O-Ring) mod. Thinking back, I think the chrome ring did fit better because I ended up using a smaller gauge rubber O-ring. The Jeff Kleiner size was a bit too thick to fit between the chrome ring and the body.

Do you recall what amber LED bulb you purchased with the L539 Clear lens? Those look really nice!

EDIT: Found the 1157 ambers on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071FB824J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[boat737]

Do you recall what amber LED bulb you purchased with the L539 Clear lens? Those look really nice!

EDIT: Found the 1157 ambers on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071FB824J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm pretty sure it's this one. (It's been a few years). https://www.superbrightleds.com/moreinfo/tail-brake-turn/1157-led-bulb-dual-function-27-smd-led-tower-bay15d-bulb/2625/

Under the notes, it says that an amber bulb works best under an amber lens. But they work fine in the clear lens. I also did the red led behind the red tail/brake lens, and it works great also.

[JohnK]

I received the replacement signal light lenses and trim rings today, so I wanted to post a quick follow-up to show the difference.

Here are the kit-provided front signal markers. Notice the quality of the chrome trim rings, as well as the gap between ring and body. Many folks have done the Kleiner o-ring mod to try to fill this gap.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=164823&d=1648770740

... and here's the new one from Rogers Motors. for $29 for the pair, well worth the upgrade, IMO.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=164822&d=1648770740

[Flip Smiley]

On the F5 supplied light could you push the plastic lens into the ring a little further from the back side? If you are able to seat the lens further into the ring it may increase the amount of metal available toward the body and fill the gap better.
Worth a try.

[JohnK]

I did try that, even using clamps to try to push it in further. When I did manage to get one side further in, the opposite side would pop out. It was like a game of whack-a-mole.

[Fman]

John thanks for posting that pic, I also ordered a set. Not because I felt like my FFR did not fit properly but I just like the look of the clear lens over the amber. I went with a couple LED amber bulbs.

[GTBradley]

That looks so much better, nice work! I’m thinking I could put the FFR supplied amber lenses in the better trim rings from Rogers if didn’t want to use the clear lens? For some reason they don’t offer the amber at the lower price.

[JohnK]

Thanks! Yes, I noticed that only the clear lenses were listed at $29. The amber lenses they list look like they're NOS and not reproductions. In the description of the clear lenses it says "We have more that aren't listed, so if you don't see what you're looking for, please contact us." It may be worth a call just to see if they have reproduction amber lenses.

[GTBradley]

Would your old lenses fit in the new trim ring? BTW, what does NOS mean?

[Railroad]

Nitrous Oxidie System = NOS
just joking.
In this case it is New Original Stock

[GTBradley]

Oh great! That’s exactly what I need, a big boost of sudden power so I can look like Mad Max flying down the road:eek:

[JohnK]

Without disassembling both and trying to swap (not sure I want to try to disassemble the new ones - sorry), I suspect that it might work but may require somehow gluing the amber lens into the new ring. The ID of the new ring is slightly larger than the FFR ring (2.63" vs 2.57"). Since the lens is what actually attaches to the mounting base, if the chrome ring is a looser fit it will likely fall off with any vibration if it's not a really snug fit.

And yes, NOS = New old stock, i.e., original unused parts. Hence the much higher price.