Hey guys, I was thinking of ordering Rick's JDM smoked diffusers, but was wondering what the problems associated with them were...after doing a search, I read they pretty much rendered the lights useless...basically not letting enough light through..on other posts I read that the amber lights no longer looked amber (I don't really need another ticket)...any info? THanks!

 

Huh? Fair enough that you've seen post alluding to such comments. But swapping of the diffusers certainly does not "render the lights useless." What might have been discussed was that you begin with OEM amber diffusers (which meet US regs for front corner amber/orange presentation) and then by swapping them out with clear or smoked diffusers you compromise that reg. However, most folks replace their turnsignal bulbs appropriately and I've yet to see anyone post that they've had a problem having made the turnsignal bulb swap. What is involved there is that behind your OEM amber diffuser is a completely clear turnsignal bulb. When the clear bulb is activated behind the OEM amber diffuser...out shines a bright orange corner of an S2000 . When you swap the diffuser, but still have the clear bulb, then you don't really offer up anything to accommodate that amber/orange front corner visibility issue. Not typically pressed much by the police anyway (as long as the activating blinker is white-to-yellow/orange cops don't seem to care), but there is a replacement turnsignal bulb that is available in amber that some folks swap out for their clear ones. Next issue there for some folks is that they don't like that the amber turnsignal bulb "refills" in the corner with reflected amber (even when not lit...just reflecting the amber color of the bulb around in the reflective dish). So there are a number of folks that have opted to partially paint (or "stealth") the amber bulb in such a way as to make it less visible when not activated...but still blink amber when necessary for turning indication, etc. If you click the "w1ngman clears corners" link in my sig below, I have another link within that one that outlines how folks can mask off and spraypaint their amber replacement bulbs in this "stealth" fashion.

Lastly...down to the point of having an amber/orange "reflector" always present at the front corners of US automobiles...well there is perhaps a rub when you swap the diffusers out (since the amber diffuser doubles as a reflector all day long). But again...you're talking about cops camping out and just "looking" for this...and that ain't likely to happen. Some vehicles, just to meet US regs, have the veeeery tiniest of reflectors made available near the front of the cars. All seem to have something...but again, not a high priority for the po-po.

Well, that's my 2 pennies & experience. Hope it helps a little.

 

One more thing... You suggested that you're thinking of the smoked diffusers. If that is the case, the smoked ones are indeed dark enough that most of my customers have opted to do the clear bulb to amber bulb switch...but not do the "stealth" treatment to the amber turnsignal bulbs. Spraying the bulbs...and then having them behind the smoked diffuser...really does cut down on their visibility when the bulb is activated. But similarly, the amber (unpainted) bulb behind the smoked diffuser does not present itself in a bad way IMO (i.e. the whole diffused area does not look orange all over again).

- Dave

 

saint-
i see that you are in the l.a. area...
never had any problems with my smoked diffusers-
these are ricks usdms:

 

thanks for the info guys!! I think I'll order some, now that the situation is cleared up...I was even thinking of removing the driving lights, but leaving the turnsignal in....., that way when I drive with my HIDs on (which is all the time, including during the day), the smoked area, remains smoked, until I use the turn signals. Opinions?

 

BTW, where can I purchase these amber turn signal bulbs? Does Rick's carry them? Thanks again Wingman, Wanabe for the info!

 

Not sure how "nationwide" Pep Boys is...but I've picked them up in many a Pep Boys on this side of the continent . If you have not already...click that link I suggested in my sig (and then the link inside that one regarding "stealth") and you'll see pics of the packaging/bulb description you would want to purchase. Might be available in other similar auto parts stores like Auto Zone, Advance Auto, etc. on the west coast...

 

Thanks for the stealth page, Dave. Good read. Did you ever encounter any problems with the sharpie method? Orange or amber sharpie painted over our stock clear bulbs? One more thing...I probably missed it....does the amber bulb show through the smoked diffuser when not lit? And when lit, is it an amber color, or will the grey change the light to a reddish, purple hue?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Saint_Spinner
[B]Thanks for the stealth page, Dave. Good read.

 

Wow, thanks alot Dave. will order smoked asap. Thanks!