I like the subtle mods.
Ones a passer-by might think is a factory option,: ones a Patriot owner might know are mods but also might wonder if they missed an option.
There is a thread on here discussing quad taillights and such. I forgot to tag it and couldn't find it quickly but in that thread a member posted about using a converter to get amber rear signal lamps. No one much picked up on it but it resonated with me.
So I spent this past winter doing some research, asking some questions and finally doing some ordering.
So...right to it.
Order this: http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Curt/C56196.html
Edit; after the curt converter failed in a month I emailed eTrailer and asked them which, of the two they carried, holds up best, has the least return rate.
They recommended this one:
http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Tow-Ready/118158.html
Its now in and performing as it should.
Then you may either drill out and fit bulbs into your existing rear lenses or you can order this: [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Taillight-Taillamp-Passenger-Driver/dp/B007FIVBLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1392965983&sr=1-1&ymm=2007%3Ajeep%3Apatriot|2007%3Amazda%3A3&keywords=2007+patriot+tail+light+lamp+left+passenger+3+holes[/ame]
If you order the lenses you get new bulbs and sockets with them...nothing additional to pick up.
So the converter looks like this
Now assemble some tool and stuff.
good electrical tape. The stuff from the Big Box might have sat in a warehouse or on the shelf for months, buy this at a good electrical jobber who goes through stock regularly...you want fresh, sticky tape.
I used some silicone fusible tape on the ends of my split loom...overkill but there you are.
You need wire strippers, crimpers, a 7 mm socket, about five feet of split loom (that black corrugated stuff you run wires through), wire (many colours or a few? Up to you. I used what I had, three colours and masking tape to ID the ends), make sure its automotive wire, not speaker wire, some zap strap ties, two large or four medium made into two and some small ones. You need some female crimp on connectors.
You need some silicone, brake cleaner, shop towels, dielectric grease and something to help you pull the pins around the rear valance and in the actual lenses.
For that you can use a screwdriver and needle nose pliers if you ae carefull but something like this
or one of the pieces out of a set of these
will work better.
The two piece pins are expensive at the dealers so you don't want to break one or two. You pull the center pin out far enough to then pull the outer, wing part.
So...I think we have assembled everything we need.
Next post is removal of the rear valence.
Ones a passer-by might think is a factory option,: ones a Patriot owner might know are mods but also might wonder if they missed an option.
There is a thread on here discussing quad taillights and such. I forgot to tag it and couldn't find it quickly but in that thread a member posted about using a converter to get amber rear signal lamps. No one much picked up on it but it resonated with me.
So I spent this past winter doing some research, asking some questions and finally doing some ordering.
So...right to it.
Order this: http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Curt/C56196.html
Edit; after the curt converter failed in a month I emailed eTrailer and asked them which, of the two they carried, holds up best, has the least return rate.
They recommended this one:
http://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Tow-Ready/118158.html
Its now in and performing as it should.
Then you may either drill out and fit bulbs into your existing rear lenses or you can order this: [ame]http://www.amazon.com/Patriot-Taillight-Taillamp-Passenger-Driver/dp/B007FIVBLM/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1392965983&sr=1-1&ymm=2007%3Ajeep%3Apatriot|2007%3Amazda%3A3&keywords=2007+patriot+tail+light+lamp+left+passenger+3+holes[/ame]
If you order the lenses you get new bulbs and sockets with them...nothing additional to pick up.
So the converter looks like this
Now assemble some tool and stuff.
good electrical tape. The stuff from the Big Box might have sat in a warehouse or on the shelf for months, buy this at a good electrical jobber who goes through stock regularly...you want fresh, sticky tape.
I used some silicone fusible tape on the ends of my split loom...overkill but there you are.
You need wire strippers, crimpers, a 7 mm socket, about five feet of split loom (that black corrugated stuff you run wires through), wire (many colours or a few? Up to you. I used what I had, three colours and masking tape to ID the ends), make sure its automotive wire, not speaker wire, some zap strap ties, two large or four medium made into two and some small ones. You need some female crimp on connectors.
You need some silicone, brake cleaner, shop towels, dielectric grease and something to help you pull the pins around the rear valance and in the actual lenses.
For that you can use a screwdriver and needle nose pliers if you ae carefull but something like this
or one of the pieces out of a set of these
will work better.
The two piece pins are expensive at the dealers so you don't want to break one or two. You pull the center pin out far enough to then pull the outer, wing part.
So...I think we have assembled everything we need.
Next post is removal of the rear valence.
