I was just wondering if there was any way to adjust the turn signal blinker speed, like to make it flash reeeeeeealy fast, or maybe somehow hook it to some sort of sound activator to make them blink with the music but seeing as how this is probably not possible without replacing the blinker system, i was just wondering if there was some way to just speed them up

btw i have a 1998 styleside long wheelbase, if that matters

thanks for any help!
Doc

 

The blinker speed rate is determined by the NHTSA.

 

You can always do something not so smart and replace the front and rear bulbs with LEDS, and don't use the load resistors.

This would cause the system to blink as if a bulb was burned out due to not enough load on the system.

All in all, not a good idea to speed up the blink rate, unless you don't really want someone to see it, then just don't use it.
I would have to guess that you are looking for an accident by doing this.

People have enough problems seeing a turn signal at the stock rate, speed it up, and most are pre-occupied with thier cell phone or something else that the faster blink rate won't register in their brain, and to them they won't see it.
That is why the NHTSA has a pre set blink speed, so it is noticable, and the change rate is something that registers, hey something is blinking up there.

Good luck staying out of an accident if you do this.

 

A number of years ago, when pulling a U-Haul trailers, I managed to burn out 2 or 3 blinker relays until I found an aftermaker brand of relay that was "Heavy Duty". Each of those relays had a slightly different blink speed and one of them was about twice the speed of the others. I think the faster one was the HD - and the blink slowed down to "normal" when I hooked up the trailer lights. The speed difference wasn't so much that anyone would really call it unsafe. You might also try to find "Heavy Duty" signal bulbs. Some of the old (1970's)1 ton trucks would bounce so hard on the springs that they would break the elements in the tail lights. The HD lights used a heavier element that drew a bit more current to get the same amount of light. That could change the speed of the blinker circuit - but I don't think the speed change will be very dramatic.

 

If you are really serious about getting into blinkers build a blinker circuit of your own. Radio Shack sells a a little handbook on building flasher/blinker/timer circuits. The little book is called the 555 Timer Cookbook (Handbook?) or something to that effect. The book has 10 - 15 simple circuits described for the beginner. All of them use the 555 timer chip and most of them show combinations of resistors and capacitors that can be selected or adjusted to match the timing speed you want. After that it's up to you to wire in the timer circuit and a standard relay (to handle the current of the turnsignal bulbs) to the truck's wiring harness. But don't try it unless you are pretty sharp with the electronics and electrics.

For timing the blinker to music I think I would start by trying to use the guts out of one of those desk top party strobes - if you could find one that responds to the beat in music. What is the name of that store in the mall that sells mirror *****, black lights, horror masks, and gag sex gifts? They might have them. The difficulty on that is going to be pretty high. If you are good enough in electronics to pull this one off you probably would not be asking how to do it on this forum. It might be a fun project for a show car but I agree with the guys about using it on the street. Good Luck