Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Clubman (R55), Cooper and Cooper S (R56), and Cabrio (R57) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior DIY clear front turn signal lenses

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 11, 2008 | 06:35 PM
  #26  
ubdylan's Avatar
ubdylan
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: SF
Originally Posted by mwedge
Well the Halogens are different. The lense will not come out from the back. The part where the lense clips in is molded into the projector for the headlamp and will not come out. Here is a pic from the inside.



However from looking at the lenses above it does look like the same lense. It is held in with 2 clips. Also just from a rough measurement they look like they are around 2 5/8" diameter.

Looks like the only way to take it out is to remove the headlight lens then unclip and remove from the front. I am planning on doing the joey mod so I can take it out then.

So chubby I will be your guinea pig on the halogens if you like. If possible when you get a set of the clear lenses the way you like them I would like to buy a set and if they don't work I could send them back for a refund.
And you were so close. The lens will pop right off inside the lamp. Use a pencil or something with a soft tip to push the tabs, and your are done. It will fit right past the inner housing and come out the hole you took the picture through, but it will look a whole lot better if you just do the Joey-Mod anyway.

Go for it! You will not regret the look.
 
Reply
Old Aug 11, 2008 | 06:54 PM
  #27  
mwedge's Avatar
mwedge
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Cool Thanks for the info.

I doubt I would be able to replace it with a clear one without the housing off.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 01:16 AM
  #28  
yunz's Avatar
yunz
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
iono i'm not a big fan of the whole joey mod.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 09:09 AM
  #29  
ChubbyChecker's Avatar
ChubbyChecker
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
Originally Posted by yunz
iono i'm not a big fan of the whole joey mod.
I don't mind the Joey mod look on some cars. It's just not what I want on Chubby. But I do like the clear lens look. Unfortunately I didn't think about it when I ordered him. Here is a pic of how it turned out. I finally chose the silver painted bulbs.
 
Attached Thumbnails DIY clear front turn signal lenses-compare-lenses-small.jpg  
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 09:59 AM
  #30  
mwedge's Avatar
mwedge
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
Great job! That looks fantastic.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 10:01 AM
  #31  
yunz's Avatar
yunz
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
correct me if i'm wrong, but you have to follow pretty much the same procedures as the joey mod (baking etc). to be able to access and remove the orange turn signals right?
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 10:13 AM
  #32  
enron29's Avatar
enron29
3rd Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by yunz
correct me if i'm wrong, but you have to follow pretty much the same procedures as the joey mod (baking etc). to be able to access and remove the orange turn signals right?
Nope. I just removed my headlight assembly, and popped out the orange reflector and slid it out the back. Took all of 10 minutes for both.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 12:28 PM
  #33  
yunz's Avatar
yunz
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
headlight assembly? (sorry i'm not good with terms haha but i'm assuming it's pretty much taking the whole headlight?)
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 12:36 PM
  #34  
kelsey ellen
Guest
Posts: n/a
I would buy a set of these off of you so quick...

please? it's the one thing that drives me NUTS with Ollie.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 12:56 PM
  #35  
Dead Ringer's Avatar
Dead Ringer
4th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Az
chubby, how much for a set if I picked them up from you? I live here in the valley... You can even show me how to switch them out
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 01:01 PM
  #36  
yunz's Avatar
yunz
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
i'll post up a few pics to show how it's done with halogens.. i just need to figure out how to upload the pics :P
*edit* photobucket isn't working for me, so give me a few minutes to make a flickr hahaha.
 

Last edited by yunz; Aug 12, 2008 at 01:13 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 01:45 PM
  #37  
yunz's Avatar
yunz
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2952690...7606691731284/

the captions have the instructions so if you want to figure it out check it out (for halogens)

pm me if you need help? it should be fairly simple and easy to do.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 05:49 PM
  #38  
ubdylan's Avatar
ubdylan
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: SF
Originally Posted by yunz
correct me if i'm wrong, but you have to follow pretty much the same procedures as the joey mod (baking etc). to be able to access and remove the orange turn signals right?
Only if you are planning to replace with another lens. Otherwise, you can just pop them off and they will slide out the back of the housing.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 07:19 PM
  #39  
ChubbyChecker's Avatar
ChubbyChecker
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
Originally Posted by yunz
http://www.flickr.com/photos/2952690...7606691731284/

the captions have the instructions so if you want to figure it out check it out (for halogens)

pm me if you need help? it should be fairly simple and easy to do.
So are you able to put the lenses back in without taking apart the headlight assembly?

Waiting on verification with mwedge that the lenses for the halogens are the same for xenons. The numbers on his lens matches mine. We'll see if the clear ones I sent him fit OK.
 
Reply
Old Aug 12, 2008 | 08:30 PM
  #40  
yunz's Avatar
yunz
1st Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
i think you have to disassemble the headlight assembly to put back the clear turn signals... just did a quick job of first getting out the orange turn signals... couldn't stand it for the time being haha.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 06:16 AM
  #41  
lacning74's Avatar
lacning74
6th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,361
Likes: 2
From: nyc
Originally Posted by yunz
i think you have to disassemble the headlight assembly to put back the clear turn signals... just did a quick job of first getting out the orange turn signals... couldn't stand it for the time being haha.
not probably worth it, but how about using a string (through the bulb housing hole) to pull the lens around the slot you shook the old lens out originally and to the front. it would probably be hard to reattach it via the clips, but how about cutting the clip tabs off and just using silicone around the rim to reattach the light.

crazy idea i know. i'm just hesitant to bake my headlights.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 09:40 AM
  #42  
ubdylan's Avatar
ubdylan
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: SF
Yes, the halogen lamps would need to be taken apart to reinstall the lens. However, baking is not necessary. I used a simple blow drier method and they came right apart. Remove the headlamp, and take the plugs and clips off of the housing, point the blow drier into the hole and hold for a bit. The glue begins to let go after a few minutes. Keep trying to pry the housing apart and eventually you are gold.

Auto parts don't belong in ovens!
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2008 | 09:46 AM
  #43  
Dead Ringer's Avatar
Dead Ringer
4th Gear
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Az
last night I took apart the headlamp and removed the "yolk". Look SOOO much better. Yes I have xenon's so the process sounds like it was a little easier than you "non-xenon people"

...j/k
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 06:33 AM
  #44  
mwedge's Avatar
mwedge
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
I can confirm the clear lenses that Chubby is making fit the halogens. I took my headlights apart and replaced the orange lenses. I used a heat gun and it took about 7-8 minutes per light to get them apart. Here is a pic of the headlight apart with the clear lens installed.

 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 07:58 AM
  #45  
matty125's Avatar
matty125
5th Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 965
Likes: 1
From: Europe
Why is your turn signal Orange? Is this a regular headlight thing? (non xenon) Mine is clear, I had to replace the orange bulb however with silvers, they of course light orange.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...m/DSC03672.JPG
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 10:33 AM
  #46  
drewster's Avatar
drewster
3rd Gear
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 276
Likes: 1
From: wherever my R32 takes me
Originally Posted by matty125
Why is your turn signal Orange? Is this a regular headlight thing? (non xenon) Mine is clear, I had to replace the orange bulb however with silvers, they of course light orange.
The lens is orange unless you opt for the $100 white turn signals option. You have that option on yours and that's why your front & rear signal lens are white/clear instead of orange.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 11:54 AM
  #47  
ChubbyChecker's Avatar
ChubbyChecker
Thread Starter
|
4th Gear
15 Year Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
First attempt at a smoked lens

Well, my first try making a smoked lens came out a little darker than I wanted (black). No light comes through. I guess I used too much dye.
 

Last edited by ChubbyChecker; Jan 28, 2009 at 11:46 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 12:35 PM
  #48  
mwedge's Avatar
mwedge
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 154
Likes: 0


You could save those for the guys that black out everything.
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:28 PM
  #49  
Ryephile's Avatar
Ryephile
OVERDRIVE
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,009
Likes: 32
From: Metro-Detroit
Fantastic work ChubbyChecker! The clear ones look excellent, and good luck getting the tint level tuned up on the tinted ones
 
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2008 | 01:36 PM
  #50  
rkw's Avatar
rkw
OVERDRIVE
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,233
Likes: 128
From: San Francisco
Originally Posted by matty125
Why is your turn signal Orange? Is this a regular headlight thing? (non xenon) Mine is clear, I had to replace the orange bulb however with silvers, they of course light orange.
I see that you are in Europe. In most countries besides the USA, the S comes standard with clear turn signal lenses. Here the S only includes clear side indicators as standard, and the clear front/rear is a $100 option.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:55 AM.