Under Hood LEDs (PICS)

19977 Views 47 Replies 27 Participants Last post by toku58, May 14, 2007

mjonags32

Discussion Starter · May 10, 2007

I finally got the under hood lights on. I used the same light that I used for my beg lights, the LED strips. Since I bought a 6 pack, I put the remaining 2 under the hood. They're stuck on with 3M heavy duty double sided tape. But to make sure, I zip tied it also.

The wires for the left LED strip are zip tied along with the windshield liquid wire that’s already there. I used the same brackets to hold the LED wires. Then the wires are ran under that other layer of the hood.

Then the left LEDs are finally attached to the right LED strip here, outside of this little hole.

I put in a 10 amp inline fuse, and wired it inside the fuse box (near fog light mod).

I ran the ground side to the push button, which is near the driver’s side headlight.

End results:

Night pics to come… still bright out over here in Cali

Let me know what you guys think. Any suggestions? What should I do different?

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viet2100

· #2 · May 10, 2007

I like the idea, I was thinkin the same. Since I dont always have a flashlight with me, it'd be a lot easier to look under the hood. High end cars got em, why can't we fab some?? Just need to make it look cleaner :thumbup:

Chromelore

· #3 · May 10, 2007

viet2100 said:
I like the idea, I was thinkin the same. Since I dont always have a flashlight with me, it'd be a lot easier to look under the hood. High end cars got em, why can't we fab some?? Just need to make it look cleaner :thumbup:

i agree, its actually a great idea! I'd try to make it look a bit cleaner, but its a good start and will probably be very useful at some point in time

mjonags32

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 10, 2007

for those of you that dont like it, fine... maybe that's why it's not in your truck, right?

well, i didnt do these lights for looks at all. its purely functional when i need to look at the engine at night. that's why there is a switch, so that they're not on all the time. and the switch is under the hood, so i'm only going to be using this when the hood is open.

i thought it was a good idea.

i don't really appreciate comments about slapping myself, etc. i never bash on anyone on here. if anything, i do the extra mile, esp when noobs ask an obvious question and other people bash them for not using the search button.

good grief guys...

Fluxaholic

· #5 · May 10, 2007 (Edited)

Beat me to it, mjonags, and I like it. I've got all the pieces, including the same LED strips, sitting on the table waiting for me to make the time to do it. I'm not sure why a few people are bagging on this idea or calling it ricer. I've had a number of occasions where I really could have used some light under the hood.

I think your install looks good overall. Definitely no criticism intended, but I plan on doing a couple of things differently for my install:

1. I plan on painting the cables attached to the lights silver/gray to blend with the silver truck.
2. If I end up using zip ties, I'll go with clear or gray ones that blend better than the black.
3. I'm putting a weatherproof rocker switch inline between the lights and the pin/push switch so that I can manually shut the lights off if I need to.
4. I plan on using loom for the cables and wires.

Some of these are nitpicky since this is a strictly functional install and how the lights look under the hood is not my first priority, but I'm OCD like that.

One question: where in the fuse box did you tap into for power? Is it a constant or ignition power source?

Edit: don't let the negativity get to you. It's a good idea, well executed, and when you need it, you'll be glad you have it.

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mjonags32

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 10, 2007

and btw... my hood struts came in yesterday in the mail and are going in this weekend.

i wasnt trying ot show off at all. i guess when you dont have a rep like pb or toku or whoever, people dont like to agree with your DIY mods.

MParker

· #7 · May 10, 2007

Yeah I can't stand it when people criticize other peoples work... It's their vehicle and they are just sharing it with the rest of us... Not to mention this is a very functional mod. :thumbup:

TacoRama07

· #8 · May 10, 2007

LMAO!!!..are you crazy or just bored?....u might as well go for the ''street- glow'' kit,...and hey, not to mention the LED window wiper spray nozzle...lol keep it real..:rofl:

mjonags32

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 10, 2007

for those of you who care, night shots:

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Tacoma2316

· #10 · May 10, 2007

aweosme man, SOme quick questions

1. Where did you get the LED strips?
2. Where did you get the switch?
3. Can you draw up a little wiring diagram?

Thanks man

viet2100

· #11 · May 10, 2007

Wow, thats pretty darn bright! I'd actually add a couple on the fender sides to illuminate those dark spots too.

blacked out toy

· #12 · May 10, 2007

looks good bro..:clap:

mjonags32

Discussion Starter · #13 · May 10, 2007

Fluxaholic said:
One question: where in the fuse box did you tap into for power? Is it a constant or ignition power source?

i just hooked it up to the battery after the inlined fuse, so it's constant.

chucks_truck

· #14 · May 10, 2007

Looks nice man! Those suckers are bright! Allmost could use 'em in the bed like the others said! Cool idea! :thumbup:

mjonags32

Discussion Starter · #15 · May 10, 2007

Tacoma2316 said:
aweosme man, SOme quick questions

1. Where did you get the LED strips?
2. Where did you get the switch?
3. Can you draw up a little wiring diagram?

Thanks man

got them off ebay, seach LED strip. waterproof and durable
switch u can get from lowes, home depot, etc.
wiring is easy. the strips have 2 wires 1 ground, 1 power. i put the switch on the ground side. i put the inlined fuse on the power side, then to the battery.

mjonags32

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 10, 2007 (Edited)

chucks_truck said:
Looks nice man! Those suckers are bright! Allmost could use 'em in the bed like the others said! Cool idea! :thumbup:

yeah i did that before the hood ones

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TacoRama07

· #17 · May 10, 2007

LOL,..hey they look pretty good at night u can see EVerything

... just as long as u dont do the neon green underglow thing

...

HiTek21

· #18 · May 10, 2007

Nice work, that would come in very handy if you got stuck on the side of the road at night or were working under hood and it got dark on you.

rudy0027

· #19 · May 10, 2007

Not a bad idea. I really like the bedlights. I might do that one.

3jooom

· #20 · May 10, 2007

nice job. Its good for ppl who camp in the desert and need lil of light like myself. i think am going to do something like this. by the way do you have a write up for the bed lights too?

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