The car wash ate my side mounted leaper embelem insert. I ordered a used one from Ken here on the forum and just went to install it. It came with the green insert and the chrome backing plate.

When it came out I was surprised to see that the original one has wires and a plug boot affixed to it but no bulb holder or bulbs to illuminate! It's sort of a wired "Blank".

I guess in Europe it's required but not here?

 

I suppose you could convert it to a side repeater with a lens and bulb?

 

I'm thinking so - LED maybe. There are 2 holes in the carrier where the bulbs could go. I'm not sure how the light would carry through the plastic it's not reall a lens in my application - they might use a more translucent type when it's really in use.

2 weeks ago there was a "lighted" set on eBay, but they might have been wired blanks, too. Someone mght have been disappointed.

Lots of details...

 

I went a different route and replaced mine with ones that I like better. I am going darker, having also replaced my side lights with darkened LED's, and these tie in nicely. I know, they are not for everyone, but then again, I'm dialing it in to suit my own tastes.
Brian

 

Yea, Jag didn't ship the cars with the side repeaters until 03. They all are pre-punched on both sides to accept the repeater lights, but the wiring is only complete on the left side. The right side needs a harness that goes from a plug under the fuse/relay compartment into the wheel well. A very expensive harness. I up-graded to the repeaters in clear with amber lamps and it goes well with the platinum silver paint.

 

Did someone say amber lamps?



And for those of you who have no idea what that pic is about, you absolutely HAVE TO WATCH THIS VIDEO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOCVoopTUoU

OK, sorry for hijacking the thread. Back to the topic.

 

OK, back to serious business, my 2003 has an amber flash signal thingy on each side right behind the front wheel well. Am I to understand that someone sells lighted leaper emblems that can go in there in place of the amber flash thingy?

 

Hi Lew,
Yes, the Crystal Side Lights are nice looking too, I just wanted something that would stand out a bit more. They also make a Silver Bulb that glows Orange, but blends in nicely with the Crystal Cover. I seriously considered that option too.

To Rev Sam: I thought that you were mistakenly referring to the Orange Side Light in front of the Wheel Well. I looked up a picture of a 2003 and see that it is different from the earlier models, we have Leapers (Red for XKR, Green for XK8) and yours is an Orange Reflector. I didn't know about that distinction. Interesting that Jaguar made that cosmetic change, as I don't think that most folks prefer the orange. I would look into changing it back to a Leaper, if the size is the same. Again, just my personal taste, and opinions will definitely vary on the subject.
Regards,
Brian

 

I haven't seen one, but I keep hearing that there is one!

 

OK, where can I buy a leaper emblem or just a cat emblem. I'd love to remove the orange reflector thingy and put something more attractive in its place.

 

I have bought most of my Jag "pretty" parts from ebay.UK

 

Hi Sam,
This is what I put on my XKR. They were SO much better than what I had hoped for, that I bought an extra set just to sit in my office. You can't buy that set, but I bet that this manufacturer will have more listed on eBay some time or other.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...6113&viewitem=

The Chrome & Black combo is very attractive with my Platinum color. As Lew said, you can get the other stock Leapers on eBay, or from one of the Forum Sponsors. For me, the orange just clashes.
Good luck,
Brian

 

Brian where did you get the dark side lights. I am in need of these, as the rest of my lights and even my grills are dark. Again maybe not for evryone but I love the look on a silver car.

 

Hi Brian,
I got them from Adamesh in the UK. They are well made and were quite inexpensive. Geoff is a also a good guy and very helpful!

http://www.adamesh.co.uk/jaguar-xk8-...-kit-965-p.asp

He had his Body Shop darken the lights for me, as I didn't want them to blend into the paint, but rather, to stand out from it. He has lots of cool stuff for our cars, as you'll see from his website.

I'm off hiking for a week in the Mountains...............

Regards,
Brian