I'm in the process of getting my car back together. I've decided I want to go with the JDM solid sides and the JDM OEM clear signals.

I've searched for the jdm/usdm differences and I haven't been able to find any exact answers to what is different between the two. I know the usdm harness has an extra bulb for the light in the reflector light in the USDM trim, I'm just planning on taping it back with the other wires so it's not bouncing around in there.

Lithia offers 2 different options for the signals: with or without the wiring harness. Is it necessary to buy the wiring harness, or can I reuse the harness already in there? What do I have to do to make these work?

Thanks!

Mine came with JDM harnesses but my friend Ben (47MR2's) says he just sticks the USDM harness bulb sockets from the side marker light into the JDM corner housing for the smaller bulb. To make that work correctly you might have to swap a few wires. Worse case scenario you could try it first and buy the harness later if you don't like the fit.
FWIW I also obtained some sockets from salvage yard and with a little creative tab trimming got them to fit another set I had.

 

That's what I've been reading too. Are the side marker lights bigger or smaller than the hole in the JDM housing? I could just file it out a bit to make it work if it was bigger...maybe just wrap it in electric tape if it doesn't fit snugly.

I stumbled on this thread: http://www.mr2oc.com/showthread.php?t=344061

JDM clear front Corners
There is a plastic divider in the JDM clear front corners. This is because there is a second smaller bulb socket in this assembly. Our USDM cars do not have the additional wiring. I discovered that the turn signal is less visible from the side of the car because of this divider. USA law says that the front and rear turn signals MUST be visible from the side. However, it optionally can be another signal assembly separate from the front one.

So, you have a couple of options: 1) dissasemble the clear corners, and cut out the divider and plug the hole so water/dirt doesn't go into the lens, or 2) add an additional bulb socket and bulb, and wire them in, or 3) somehow wire the side markers to flash.

How much work is involved in switching from the USDM to JDM harness? If it's easier to just get the harness I'll do that. It's like $30 extra to include the harness.

 

i just used my usdm wires and jdm amber corners... i shaved off a few of the "tabs" on teh sockets and then used my hot glue gun to make sure they stay in... was easy and tood about 10 minutes from usdm corners in to jdm corners wired and in. i used a dremel for the shaving...

 

i can sell you the JDM harness for half price

brand new $15 shipped

 

If you go solid moldings, a harness is not necessary for the corner bulb. The wire from the sidemarker is long enough. You just have to remove some tape/zipties and it'll fit right in.

The big signal bulb is different because it's single filament in the JDM ones rather than dual like the USDM ones (at least that's what it looks like with the way they light up and the different socket holes). With some convincing you can get the dual filament socket to fit the JDM housing. The harness just makes things connect easier.

 

i can sell you the JDM harness for half price

brand new $15 shipped

Personally, I would go with Poopee's wire harness.

Funny, didn't I just sell those JDM corners to you Iraq?

The US corners use 1157 two filament white bulbs, the JDM use a funky single filament amber bulb with the locking "pins" that protrude from the sides at like the 12 and 5 o'clock positions (if that makes sense) kind of like an 1156, but not the same.

I would NEVER hack apart the inside of the housing to get the turn signal flasher to show more from the side. If you are putting on the solid side moldings are worried about it get the side "repeater" fender lights. Wire them in parallel to the front corner flashers. Looks cooler/authentic 96+ anyway.

 

Alright, that sounds easy enough. I'm at college and I don't have my 2 with me, so I couldn't tell what was all different. I'm gonna run with the USDM harness, and I may take you up on your offer eventually, poop...thanks guys