For some time I felt I wanted to update the safety aspect of the 280Z by making the front fender side marker lights function additionally as turn signals along with the front turn signals on the grille. Since I didn't want to experiment with my stock lights I purchased a set of marker lights from Thailand on Ebay. The quality of the metal case was surprisingly good, much like (or perhaps better than) the Datsun part.

I pulled it apart and removed the 1156 socket, widened the resulting opening to accept a GM 1157 socket which snapped into place and sealed the joint with black silicone.

I did have to lift the front end of the car in order to remove the fender liner and do the electrical work which included a new 3 wire connector and an extra wire from the front turn signals to each side marker ( green/red on the left side and green/white on the right). 

Now the Z turn signals incorporate the front side markers and bring that aspect to today's safety standards.

 

 

Datsun_280Z_Fender_Turn_Signals.mp4.crdownload

Edited August 12, 20168 yr by dmoralesbello

Great idea! 

I had previously gone part way down this path, but got stuck when the only 1157 bulbs I found were too tall to fit in the socket with the lens on, especially LED bulbs. Would love to get a part number and source for the short 1157 bulbs you used. thanks.

 

That's a slick upgrade to your 280Z - nicely done and well documented. 

This plug-n-play upgrade has been available for 240Z's for a few years.  I have it installed and it works great.  Unfortunately, wiring design changes in the later models limit its fitting to the early cars.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/classic10d15/12-4654

Stored in the "to do list" files! Thank you!

Nice. Are you planning to do the rears as well?

11 hours ago, zKars said:

Great idea! 

I had previously gone part way down this path, but got stuck when the only 1157 bulbs I found were too tall to fit in the socket with the lens on, especially LED bulbs. Would love to get a part number and source for the short 1157 bulbs you used. thanks.

 

I had the same problem initially but found these shorter bulbs at Pep Boys for $20 a pair. Nice and bright, too.

7 hours ago, Captain Obvious said:

Nice. Are you planning to do the rears as well?

I decided to do the fronts only to mimic what I see in today's vehicles. I've yet to see a contemporary car with rear fender turn signals. I think those front fender turn signals are meant mainly to warn vehicles in your blind spot that might not see your rear turn signals due to their advanced position in relation to your vehicle as to your intentions to turn or change lanes.

There's another useful detail I forgot to mention or photograph. In the 280Z the front marker lights have a rubber shroud attached to the rubber seal.

In contrast, the rears only have the rubber seal without the shroud.

The reason for this difference is that the rear lights are inside the vehicle and protected from the elements whereas the fronts are only partially protected by the plastic fender liner and are thus at least somewhat exposed to the elements. I made sure to use a weather resistant 1157 socket (plastic unit with a rubber gasket) and I used black Plastidip to give the back of the casing a couple of coats but finally decided to use the rubber seal/boot from my stock lights to give the whole thing real waterproofing.

Edited August 12, 20168 yr by dmoralesbello

I was just thinking that having the rears blink would be cool. Even it it's not "necessary".

Anyway, I like it. Maybe you can get them to blink alternate to the front corners. Like some other cars do? The side markers light up when the front turns go off, and vice-versa. 

Very nice trick modification.

I too will add this to my list of stuff to do.

2 hours ago, Captain Obvious said:

 

Maybe you can get them to blink alternate to the front corners. Like some other cars do? The side markers light up when the front turns go off, and vice-versa. 

That's exactly how the MSA adapter works for the 240's.