Hi Chuck, Great video. I have an '08 Grand Marquis. I had to replace the drivers side electric window regulator so with the door panel off I decided to do the reflectors as per vid. They looked great. With all the wiring in place I thought I would illuminate the door handle. By cutting a small 5mm wide groove in the top of the door handle housing I glued a short strip of white LED lights and connected this to the reflector wiring. The effect finishes off the door nicely. Of course I did the passenger side also. Thanks for the inspiration.
@@PanzerPlatform i know that feeling all to well, but its done at a perfect time cause you more than likely would have a detailed video about as you did now.
I like this! I have a CVPI, but I'm pretty sure that most of the factory wiring for the non-existent courtesy lights is still in there; Handy Dad pointed towards this in one of this videos. I hope that there are also wires by the driver's foot well. First thing, I need to disable 'dark mode' on my car. AFAIK, it takes a scan tool + the Forscan software.
Yo Nick, That's awesome. I didn't know P71's were pre-wired for door panel courtesy lights. Maybe that's a future video for you. Can you send me the link to WJ Handy Dad's video? I must have missed that one. -Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform I'm not sure if they are pre-wired for door lights; but, apparently, the wires for certain civilian features are present in the CVPIs-and, even then, they tend to have hot wires running throughout. Here's WJ Handy Dad's video on things he's done with his car: th-cam.com/video/HY-NayLDd4Y/w-d-xo.html
Pretty amazing add on. The things Ford never imagined people would add themselves, long after they stopped making the car. It would have been neat if you put green lights in the right doors- you know... port and starboard! 🤪
Yo John, When I was a kid I remember most all cars of the 70's, and 80's having door panel courtesy lights. I'm sure you do too. I hope the bean counting accountants from the Panther years of 1998-2011 are enjoying their cheeseburger in paradise with the millions they embezzled by cutting production costs of 4 light bulbs, 2 additional reflectors, wiring, and assembly line labor of almost a million cars. -Chuck
That came out very good Chuck! If you are looking to use the DOT reflectors trim the bottom side and use a Dremel sanding drum low speed. Then just keep going back and test fit. I love the details you elaborate on in your videos. You got all bases covered.
Yo Jay, Thanks for stopping by. If I ever get a Dremel, I just might try to replace the front door factory reflectors with the same DOT reflectors I used for the rear doors.. -Chuck
I thought about making this video my April Fool's Day Special. I was going to title it "How to replace door panel courtesy light" Can you imagine all the people who would have removed their door panel only to find no burned out bulb to replace, no wiring, or anything. lol I usually do those pranks to people in real life, but that would be absolutely diabolical to do it on that scale. Actually you gave me an idea. Brb lol -Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform Basically adding led strip to the bottom of the door.. see this link ;) www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3644825&page=1
Like this idea but do you think the Lincoln town car reflectors would fit in the crown vic or grand marquis door panels. Because then you can also use the light bulb for the town cars Courtesy lights and just have to wire them to the lights under the dash?. Just my idea if the reflector housing or the same
Yo Cheese Head, Thanks for watching, and thanks for the subscription. Unfortunately I only have an '04 Vic, and '10 Grand Marquis. I have no experience with town cars. And I'm not sure I follow your question. But, I'll go out on a limb and say, No. If the Town Cars have functional door panel courtesy lights, that have a proper closed fixture they will not fit '98-'11 Vic, and Marquis front door panels in the factory reflector location. Hope that's clear as mud. Lol -Chuck
Yes it makes sense. I think i will still look into it when i go to the junkyard next. And see if the town car courtesy lights are the same size as the vic and mgm reflectors. I like the idea. But would really like to have clear lights to go along with the rest of interior lighting.
@@bmxmaster787 Umm, I don't think you'd want white/clear lights in the door panels. The whole point is so that motorist coming up your six see red, just like a tail light. The color red gives other motorists information as to which direction your car is pointed. I could be wrong though.
Yo Rob, Dang, I knew somebody was going to ask this question. I guess it’s you. I purposely omitted it from the video because I did a hack job, and I’m not proud to show it. Not my finest work. After spending $12 on twenty red LED bulbs, and $4 on two pairs of red reflectors for both Panthers, I was way over budget on this project. I wasn’t going to spend anymore money on the proper fixture, or housing for the rigid loop festoon bulbs. I made the electrical connection at the bulb by twisting the bare power, ground wire around the rigid loops, tacking it up with solder, and then wrapping it in heat shrink for insulation, and weather proofing. I mounted the bulbs on the backside of the panel by drilling two tiny holes just big enough to pass through a zip tie, and around both ends of the rigid loops. But before that, I cut a small square just big enough for the LED chips to shine through with 3mm of clearance on all four sides. So it’s almost as if the bulb is floating in the panel with an air gap in all directions, so when the bulbs gets hot, it has enough air around it in all directions to cool it. The front door reflectors have a 6mm clearance from the surface of the LED chips. The rear door reflectors only have 3mm clearance from the surface of the LED chips because the DOT reflectors have a shallow design. I let the bulbs run for 10 minutes fully installed, while checking the temps of front & rear reflectors, and they get warm, but not hot. This hack job is safe, and functional but not pleasing to the eye at all. -Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform Lol, we've all done a hack job or two. I was most curious about mounting the led board. I guess you answered my question. Thanks Chuck.
Thanks Tom, The hardest part was laying on my back across the driver door floor plate. Next time, I'll remove the driver's seat to give me more room. -Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform you might be waiting for awhile lol. I initially was just changing the color to red but couldn't find any bright enough so settled on white.
Cool. You made Crown Victoria more interesting by putting light on the back doors. Be nice To add lights on rear door on 1974 Mercury Marquis
Right on Johnny,
Thanks for watching.
-Chuck
Hi Chuck, Great video. I have an '08 Grand Marquis. I had to replace the drivers side electric window regulator so with the door panel off I decided to do the reflectors as per vid. They looked great. With all the wiring in place I thought I would illuminate the door handle. By cutting a small 5mm wide groove in the top of the door handle housing I glued a short strip of white LED lights and connected this to the reflector wiring. The effect finishes off the door nicely. Of course I did the passenger side also. Thanks for the inspiration.
Yo Robert,
That sounds great.
And chance you could email, me some photos, or a video.
I'd love to see the finished product.
-Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform hey Robert or Chuck, I would also love to see the finished product with the illuminated door handles. Thanks in advance!
DUDE I like this! If my car was not so ( destorted and trash ) THIS would be a great mod.. Lincoln Town car for sure needs this
"Maaaaan listen".
I'm kind of annoyed how well it turned out.
I'm annoyed because I should have done this years ago.
-Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform i know that feeling all to well, but its done at a perfect time cause you more than likely would have a detailed video about as you did now.
I like this! I have a CVPI, but I'm pretty sure that most of the factory wiring for the non-existent courtesy lights is still in there; Handy Dad pointed towards this in one of this videos. I hope that there are also wires by the driver's foot well. First thing, I need to disable 'dark mode' on my car. AFAIK, it takes a scan tool + the Forscan software.
Yo Nick,
That's awesome.
I didn't know P71's were pre-wired for door panel courtesy lights.
Maybe that's a future video for you.
Can you send me the link to WJ Handy Dad's video?
I must have missed that one.
-Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform I'm not sure if they are pre-wired for door lights; but, apparently, the wires for certain civilian features are present in the CVPIs-and, even then, they tend to have hot wires running throughout. Here's WJ Handy Dad's video on things he's done with his car: th-cam.com/video/HY-NayLDd4Y/w-d-xo.html
Dude that looks so badass
Thanks Mr. Boddicker.
-Chuck
Cool stuff Chuck! I never thought about those reflectors, almost forgot I even had them there! 👍🏼 lol
Yo Art,
Sometimes people ask me how to change the bulb in there because they think their's is burned out. Lol
-Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform lol 😂
Pretty amazing add on. The things Ford never imagined people would add themselves, long after they stopped making the car.
It would have been neat if you put green lights in the right doors- you know... port and starboard! 🤪
Yo John,
When I was a kid I remember most all cars of the 70's, and 80's having door panel courtesy lights.
I'm sure you do too.
I hope the bean counting accountants from the Panther years of 1998-2011 are enjoying their cheeseburger in paradise with the millions they embezzled by cutting production costs of 4 light bulbs, 2 additional reflectors, wiring, and assembly line labor of almost a million cars.
-Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform Could not have said it more eloquently myself! Lol.
@@frankhassett2496
Yo Frank,
I don't think I've seen you around these parts before.
Welcome to the club, prepare to be disappointed.
-Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform Lol.
That came out very good Chuck! If you are looking to use the DOT reflectors trim the bottom side and use a Dremel sanding drum low speed. Then just keep going back and test fit. I love the details you elaborate on in your videos. You got all bases covered.
Yo Jay,
Thanks for stopping by.
If I ever get a Dremel, I just might try to replace the front door factory reflectors with the same DOT reflectors I used for the rear doors..
-Chuck
You know on my 95 Vic where they were built with courtesy lights but white....I actually tinted the lenses red.
Yo Josh,
Thanks for watching, and the good feedback.
-Chuck
Man the Marquis looks nice and I’m loving the lights! This video was well explained, great job Chuck. 👍🏾
Yo D,
Thanks, I just wish I would have done it sooner.
-Chuck
Ah. I always thought there was a bulb back there, but it was out.
I thought about making this video my April Fool's Day Special.
I was going to title it "How to replace door panel courtesy light"
Can you imagine all the people who would have removed their door panel only to find no burned out bulb to replace, no wiring, or anything. lol
I usually do those pranks to people in real life, but that would be absolutely diabolical to do it on that scale.
Actually you gave me an idea. Brb lol
-Chuck
Looks great, I've been wanting to do this mod.. But gonna add led puddle lights as well (not those ones with a logo etc)
Yo Frank,
They make puddle lights for these cars?
Awww geez, now I gotta get those too.
You got a link? Gimme, gimme, gimme.
-Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform Basically adding led strip to the bottom of the door.. see this link ;)
www.crownvic.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3644825&page=1
Well I think I'm gonna have to do this to one of my Crown Vic's!!!!
LED's are like crack flavored Lay's tater chips...
interesting - those bulbs look like they are what are used in my Dodge Charger and my wife's Dodge minivan
It is interesting.
You've got a keen eye for detail Gary. lol
Part# Cross Reference;
578, 569, 570-1, 4410, 3175, 214-4, 212-1, 577, 3425
-Chuck
Panther Master
Yo Mark,
Thanks for coming 'round.
-Chuck
What a fantastic idea! That looks amazing!
Yo B-Rad,
Thanks, I stole the idea from Freddy Hollingsworth.
-Chuck
👍🏻
Right on JT.
Like this idea but do you think the Lincoln town car reflectors would fit in the crown vic or grand marquis door panels. Because then you can also use the light bulb for the town cars Courtesy lights and just have to wire them to the lights under the dash?. Just my idea if the reflector housing or the same
Yo Cheese Head,
Thanks for watching, and thanks for the subscription.
Unfortunately I only have an '04 Vic, and '10 Grand Marquis.
I have no experience with town cars.
And I'm not sure I follow your question. But, I'll go out on a limb and say, No.
If the Town Cars have functional door panel courtesy lights, that have a proper closed fixture they will not fit '98-'11 Vic, and Marquis front door panels in the factory reflector location.
Hope that's clear as mud. Lol
-Chuck
Yes it makes sense. I think i will still look into it when i go to the junkyard next. And see if the town car courtesy lights are the same size as the vic and mgm reflectors. I like the idea. But would really like to have clear lights to go along with the rest of interior lighting.
@@bmxmaster787
Umm, I don't think you'd want white/clear lights in the door panels.
The whole point is so that motorist coming up your six see red, just like a tail light.
The color red gives other motorists information as to which direction your car is pointed.
I could be wrong though.
The town car courtesy lights do have a little red reflector along with the clear reflector bit. If that's your referring to
@@bmxmaster787
Oh yeah, that sounds ideal. Best of both worlds.
I really need to get a town car.
Very nice, loving it
Thanks for watching.
-Chuck
Phenomenal
Yo Rogue,
Thanks for checking them out.
-Chuck
How did you make the electrical connection to the bulbs and mount them in the door panel?
Yo Rob,
Dang, I knew somebody was going to ask this question. I guess it’s you.
I purposely omitted it from the video because I did a hack job, and I’m not proud to show it. Not my finest work.
After spending $12 on twenty red LED bulbs, and $4 on two pairs of red reflectors for both Panthers, I was way over budget on this project. I wasn’t going to spend anymore money on the proper fixture, or housing for the rigid loop festoon bulbs.
I made the electrical connection at the bulb by twisting the bare power, ground wire around the rigid loops, tacking it up with solder, and then wrapping it in heat shrink for insulation, and weather proofing.
I mounted the bulbs on the backside of the panel by drilling two tiny holes just big enough to pass through a zip tie, and around both ends of the rigid loops. But before that, I cut a small square just big enough for the LED chips to shine through with 3mm of clearance on all four sides.
So it’s almost as if the bulb is floating in the panel with an air gap in all directions, so when the bulbs gets hot, it has enough air around it in all directions to cool it. The front door reflectors have a 6mm clearance from the surface of the LED chips. The rear door reflectors only have 3mm clearance from the surface of the LED chips because the DOT reflectors have a shallow design.
I let the bulbs run for 10 minutes fully installed, while checking the temps of front & rear reflectors, and they get warm, but not hot. This hack job is safe, and functional but not pleasing to the eye at all.
-Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform Lol, we've all done a hack job or two. I was most curious about mounting the led board. I guess you answered my question. Thanks Chuck.
@@PanzerPlatform I should’ve read this before doing the install in the video…lol…it came out well though…there’s always more than one way!
Fantastic work! Mucho kudos!
Thanks Tom,
The hardest part was laying on my back across the driver door floor plate. Next time, I'll remove the driver's seat to give me more room.
-Chuck
Great job, it looks really good.
Yo Tony,
Thanks, I still haven't installed LED's in my instrument cluster in my 2004 Vic.
I'm waiting for the factory bulbs to go out.
-Chuck
@@PanzerPlatform you might be waiting for awhile lol. I initially was just changing the color to red but couldn't find any bright enough so settled on white.
I need to get my Merc down there to you so you can get the merc in order
Yo Brandon,
If you were my neighbor, I'd be happy to charge you top dollar for these little things. lol
Just kidding.
-Chuck
Good ass add on bro
Thanks Shan.