As you know, JDM Foglights are hard to come by these days. And even when we do find one, expect to pay big bucks for them.
They're rare and extremely popular, so why not protect them from being stolen?!?!
After some brainstorming, I think I found a method that will help stop our unique JDM foglights from growing legs and walking away from us.
CAUTION: This mod will
NOT fully 100% protect your fogs from being stolen. Instead, it will slow the thief down and hopefully discourages him from trying to take them. Theives tend to steal something that is easy and fast. If he (or she) has to spend more time than they have too, they usually move on.
Here is the lay down of how the foglights are installed.
The fog lights are held in place by several screws.
They are hidden from view behind the turn signal.
Thus, to remove the JDM Fogs, the turn signal must be removed first!!!
This is where I focused my attention to.
As you know, to remove the turn signals, we use a long screw driver and unscrew it loose. Then the turn signal can swing out from the bumper.
My modification prevents the theif from taking out the turn signal --- or at least makes it 10 times harder to remove.
**** STEP ONE ****
Remove the front bumper and disconnect the wires to all the lights (parking, turn signals, and JDM fogs)
Remove the front turn signals as well.
For instructions on how to remove the front bumper, please check out the below write up.
Write Up: Remove Bumper, Fender, and Door! with Pics
**** STEP TWO ****
Remove the locking screw on the turn signal by bending the tab upwards to allow the screw to fall out.
Now, you have a hole for a new hex screw.
I bought some at Orchard Supply.
Try to get some that about the same size as the screws from the turn signal.
The ones I bought are
M4x20 Pitch 0.70.
Along with the hex screws, I bought matching washers and locking nuts.
It cost me about $2.50
Stick the new hex screw into the turn signals.
*** STEP THREE ***
On the bumper, you will notice a tiny metal clip where the old screw went into.
Take that off and use some pliers to bend the hole larger for the new hex screw.
When the opening is large enough that the hex screw can fit through, you should be able to screw it in.
Place the metal clip back on the bumper and mount the turn signals to the bumper.
**** STEP FOUR ****
With the turn signal in place, start screwing it in.
Once you see some threads on the other end, place a locking nut with some pliers. Holding the locking nut in place, continue to screw in the hex screw. The screw will follow the threads of the metal clip AND the locking nut.
Tighten everything down and YOU'RE DONE!!!!!
For $2.50, you can feel betting knowning that your JDM fogs a little safer from theives.
NOW AN OVERVIEW:
A theif might have a hex wrench handy on him (or her) when trying to steal your JDM foglights.
However, most hex wrenches are short.
The theif will find himself in a situation like this.....
As hard as he tries, he will not be able to reach the hex screw without a different hex wrench.
Let's say he does have a longer hex wrench handy in his bag of tools. Without holding the locking nut on the other side still, there is no way to unscrew the hex screw!!!!
The only downside to this mod is that
YOU have to remove the bumper everytime you need to change a light bulb.
It's the price we pay for a little security.
Plus, it not like we change light bulbs every month....so it shouldn't be too annoying.
There you have it!!!!
It won't save your JDM fogs perfectly, but at least it helps.
For only $2.50, it may save you $300 for another set of JDM fogs.
The theif may try to break the turn signals off from the car, but I'm hoping the theif will past on to the next car after he finds out how hard it is to unscrew the turn signal's locking screw.
ENJOY
If you know any other ways of protecting JDM fogs, please post your ideas!!!
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