Gentlemen,

I have no personal experience with +12vdc neon or rope lights.


It's all about the current required to operate them.

Ask the local installers, dealers or look on the packages to see what they require. Only then can you decide.

If you couldn't tell already, I would be hesitant to add more than about 2-3 amps to any of the existing lighting circuits.

I have used this technique for years and currently apply it to my F150 for auxillary back-up lamps, Daytime running lamps and air horns.


If nothing else you have learned a bit about designing these types of circuits.

XLT_D

.

 

Think I found something. Schucks carries a set of backup lights made by Blazer # C1037K which includes two lights, like diving lights but with a difussed type lens, switch, which I don't know if I want to use, wiring with in-line 20 amp fuse, relay and screws. Includes all wiring with nice ends etc. I am excited to get them on but I am having a hard time finding a route from the cab to the battery. I check above the gas pedal as suggsted but didn't find anything. I think I'd like to hook into the selenoid, then bring the power into the cab and mount the relay etc. I really need some suggestions for the path for the power wire and a good spot to mount the relay. Any ideas? Oh the price on the kit was only $ 13.65 with tax as someone had opened it, never installed and it was on clearance. Thanks for the help. I should add I have a 2000 F-150 4 wheel drive.

 

J Evans,

Good find on the wiring kit.

Sorry but I haven't had to run any wires in the cab. I had read there was a place above the throttle cable and do see one on my 2000 2x4.

The relay will fit behind the kick panels, can be strapped to existing wire harnesses under dash (above pedals), and behind the black panel below the center of the dash near the floor.

XLT_D

.

 

For anyone looking for lights to do this MOD (like myself)

Advance Auto Parts (in PA,NJ,DE area) has the following

Optronics Competition series Driving lights, includes wiring harness Mfg# QH12-IT only $16.88 pr (no wattage given, but I think I am only looking for 25 or 50)

I thik a cheap light may be ok to use here, let me know if different!!!

Thanks All!!!! This seems to be a popular ongoing thread with LOTS of great INFO!!!!

Thanks Again,

Joey "O"

 

I am going to hopefully finish today. I am slow due to I really like to think things over. Only trouble so far was I could not tell which wire was bed lights as there were two the smae. Black with blue stripe so I cut one, it was the right one but now I have to Splic it back together. Thats ok tho I think. My lights a 55 watt and might be a bit bright. Most likely I could maybe get a lesser wattage bulb to replace those if I need to. The relay after sleeping on it will be not a big problem and I found the Groument above the gas pedal. I think I will tie into the sellenoid, have the in-line fuse accessable then try to feed it through the wire loom that runs on the firewall. Before I get started today I feel the biggest challange will be getting the wires around the tranmission hump. Thanks for the help.

FINISHED! It took me about another 2 1/2 Hours so I would guess about 3 - 3 1/2 total. This is alot more than some other people but like I said I'm slow sometimes. Really have problems with the crimp style connectors. Never have been able to work those very well. Power is from the selonoid, through wire loom on firewall, through rubber plug above gas pedal over to passenger side behind black box on hum and under carpet. Relay in kick panel on passenger side. I used 55 watt lites than are parallel to the gound. They are a bit too bright for me. Will try for a week or so then see what they look like after they get dirt on the. I assume that I can purchase lwoer wattage bulbs if I still don't like them. In review the only thing that I may have a concern over is if you just tap into the exsisting wiring with no relay or fuse the lights are on all the time you have the door open. Like me sometimes that can be a long time to heat up that small wiring.

Anyway thanks everyone.

 

Can you point the lights up towards the frame instead of toward the ground. That may solve your brightness issue. You might also be able to just replace the bulbs to lower wattage ones.

Glad you like the mod.

 

I just connected my lights to the lower part of the frame and pointed the lights up and they reflect off the underbody of the truck so that it just kinda glows under there compared to a solid light that would be there if the lights were facing down.

 

Maybe I screwed up. I put mine, not on the frame but on, what would you call it, the bottom of the body frame, pointing inward towards the center of the pickup. The light bounces off the "frame" and downward and back out towards the ground infront of the door. It is really nice light at the ground infront of the door but really bright under the center of the truck. You can only really see the "brightness" when you are back away from the truck 20 feet or so. Maybe I will have to move them but then I'll have to use those stupid connectors again. Maybe i'll just rub some dirt on them.

 

Yours sound like they are in a pretty good position. I will probably end up moving my lights farther up on the frame, because I used some existing holes to mount the lights, and they are basically at the lowest point on the frame. I am worried that they could be easily broken or knocked off if something hits them. I'll probably move them sometime next week, I'll be in DC all this week but when I get them mounted differently I'll let you know how it went.

 

Hey Jason, where/when are you gonna be in DC?

 

Jason - I really like the pattern and brightness you lights give off. I'd think alot before moving them. I've got about the same think except a really bright spot right in the middle of the truck. Doesn't hurt anything. I going to leave it awhile and see. Thanks for all of the help.

 

Man did this post take off!!!!! AWESOME!!!

All this talk I did and I still have not got this done!!!

I hope in 2 weeks to have the following:

Electric tailgate lock
Under vehicle lighting
ExTang Full Tilt Cover


Gotta do something with this overtime $$$$$$$$$$$

Still up in the air about the remote start and/or alarm system!!!!!!

Joey "O"

 

Go for the Remote start and alarm, you won't be sorry.
My under body lightes come on when I remote start also.
Or if I hit the key pad. I am going to do the power tail gate
lock next and I am going to tie one into my hard cover Leer
700, So I can open everything via remote.

 

Let me here a ...

YEA MAN

for the remote control!!!!!!!

let me hear it again...


YEA MAN!!!!!!!!!!!