Replacing switch lights

[delica 304]

Ok, so far I've only replaced the lights in the hazard switch and the rear wiper switch but it works, so here's my story:

One day out of curiousity, I pulled apart the rear wiper switch and discovered a itty bitty bulb inside. Lordco and NAPA didn't have anything to fit, but I figured that any 12V micro bulb and a bit of jiggery pokery would do, so off I went to the local Radio Shack (I refuse to call it by its new name!)

After a bit of rummaging, I located a pair of 12v 60mA wire based bulbs (#7219) that looked to be about the right size. I got home and started dismantling the rear wiper switch:


The white rectangle in the middle is a rubber bulb holder. Here is a size comparison between the old bulb and the new one:


The bulb wires are looped around through it. here is a shot of the hazard switch's bulb holder with one of the wires partianlly unwound. I was having trouble focussing n the white one:


Once the new bulb is in, just press fit the rubber holder pack into place, reassemble the switch and put it back in the dash. Once that is done test the lights and then bask in the warm green and red glow, or go grab the wife (or kids, neighbour, the family pet) and show off your skill and savoir faire!

[delicat]

Well done, I'm taking my dog over to take a look! lol

Thanks, sure it will come useful at some point!

[Green1]

that is definitely on the to-do list as I have many burnt-out switch lights, I had hoped to find some LED replacements of some form though...

[JMK]

Yeah, the LED way would be preferable.

Is the fog light switch supposed to be illuminated? Mine's not and I couldn't tell if it was supposed to be, but it's sure hard to find in the dark.

I also added one of those $15.00 red LED strips from Wal Mart to the underside of the dash so I can see the floor at night as it seems I'm always dropping stuff down there, the red is best as it doesn't reflect on the windshield at night.

[Green1]

my fog light switch doesn't illuminate either, nor does my rear-defrost switch (until you turn it on)... I don't think the gate lock/unlock illuminates either on mine... I am however quite sure that all of those are supposed to!

[JMK]

Have you ever looked at your Deli and thought "clearance lights"?

I have the high roof. Every time I look at mine I think it is missing some clearance lights on the front and back roof. Coming from a truck background I am probably out to lunch, and therefore I'm just 'thinking out loud' but I wonder if anyone else has thought the same?

I mention it because when this came in I was looking at this guy's post on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Grote-Hi-Count-LED-2 ... dZViewItem

[Green1]

I have been thinking it all right, but finding the right lights is the issue... the Delica is very narrow, so the standard large oval clearance lights would look HUGE, what I need to find are some small, rectangular, low profile, LED lights, amber front, red rear, and I'd like to put some in the mirror backs too...

While we're on the subject... I was thinking one of these windshield visors would look pretty cool too... but there are two problems. 1) it would have to be custom built for the delica, and 2) I'm far too tall to loose ANY height on the windshield...

[JMK]

Mine seems to have at least the clearance required for a 2.5" light. Maybe these would work:
http://therigshop.com/led_lights4.html

(Look about 1/2way down the page for the 2 1/2 inch lights)
Cr. base with double sided tape.
• Size: 2-1/4" x 5/8" x 9/16".

[Green1]

while there appears to be room for round, I think rectangular would look much better on these vehicles (c'mon, what's round about a Delica???)

[JMK]

Size: 2-1/4" x 5/8" x 9/16".

[delica 304]

that is definitely on the to-do list as I have many burnt-out switch lights, I had hoped to find some LED replacements of some form though...

Well, you could always use LED's, the problem is finding an appropriate load resistor to drop the voltage down to 1.5V, then there is the question of space, then the rubber bulb mount with the LED and the load resistor, or you can use a surface mount LEDandaloadresistorOR..OR

Aw nuts I just went crosseyed!


Still, you could use an LED, but you would need an appropriate resistor, no way around it. You can actually see the load resistors in the clearance lights in the above picture! ^

I like the clearance light idea, Should put some on my roof rack as well? (I figure they should, as it is the highest point of my van!)

As for the defrost and fog light switches, I haven't been able to remove them to see what kind of bulb (if any) is inside. Any pointers?

[Green1]

Still, you could use an LED, but you would need an appropriate resistor, no way around it.

Many LEDs (Especially the ones designed as replacement bulbs) have built in resistors, problem is, these actually look SMALLER than most LEDs (except obviously surface mount ones) I wonder if someone makes an LED "replacement bulb" in that size?

As for the marker lights... apparently I'm blind, didn't see them the first time through, but that's what I'm looking for!

Now why don't they seem to have any form of online ordering system...

[JMK]

Well, they are truckers, what can you say...

Here's an interesting one on eBay, it may have some potential, especially if you need a high mount brake light as well, or if you could get it in amber too:
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Red-LED-Truck-Traile ... dZViewItem

These guys have a cart and a 2.2" light:
http://www.superbrightleds.com/truck_lights.htm

I wonder what this 2" one would look like on the Deli:

[Green1]

I wonder what this 2" one would look like on the Deli:

well it wouldn't look right on mine... that and the website shows that as only 2 inches the narrow way, 6 inches the long way... WAY too big for the delica...

as for the combined stop/clearance light, I've thought about one of those, but I'm thinking I'd rather keep it separate.

[torchard]

I was in the marine shop on the weekend and they had some nice running lights (LED). Can't remember the specifics now. You might want to look for the West Marine catalogue online. Granted, they will be marined priced, but should be built for weather. The shop also had some handy beverage holders and other interior LED lighting options. I've been looking for a reverse light - something low profile but bright - something that will throw enough light to be seen at night in the rear mirror and through my tinted glass. Something like this perhaps.

I wonder what this 2" one would look like on the Deli:

well it wouldn't look right on mine... that and the website shows that as only 2 inches the narrow way, 6 inches the long way... WAY too big for the delica...

as for the combined stop/clearance light, I've thought about one of those, but I'm thinking I'd rather keep it separate.