Exterior LED, glow lighting,and LED fog lights

Recently received a pair of 5Watt LED morimoto DRL strip from theretrofitsource.com After much thinking ended up installing a simple method into the front grill.




They are whiteish blue but look yellow at certain angles.


Testing placement.




Decided to wedge them in the middle of the grill. To get the grill out I removed the screws holding on the splash guards undernear so I can get my hand in. I pushed and wiggled the grill towards the radiatior carefully as to not break any tabs.


To make the lights stick out further I cut some of the grill so one section has a depth different that the others.

Here's a close up of where was cut. Notice the broken screw on the side of the LEDS making the mounting kit that came with worthless. Do not cut anything that will mess with the structural integrity. So I wouldn't lose the extra mounting bolts that came with I left them on. So the nut and bolt you see does nothing.


Drill 2 holes between the outer LEDS so you can run a ziptie though or whatever you chose to mount with. My holes went through 3 layers or grill trim. One hole on top then 2 into the next one down.



Yes it will still buldge a little but cutting the grill part below where you're mounting helped with mine.




Next get your wires set up. These came with 9006 bulb adapters so you can plug right into fog lights plug if you want. I however want to keep my fogs so rigged a disconnect with 9006 bulb adapters. Then wired those together with a ground wire and a positive that is run into the car.




Grounded here.


I had my wipers out to adjust my coil over dampers so running the wire through the firewall was easy. Then you take,tuck,and hide the wire along the side. You can see a few red wires in my case.


The wire I ran from outside was too short so I extended it with a white wire seen below. The yellow I tapped into the cigarette lighter so it only powers on when that has power and the switch is on too. Very easy switch to put in. Decide where you want the switch,check behind it for other wires or important stuff,then drill. This switch comes with a locking nut so slide the wires through the nut behind where you want to install it. Solder your leads then assemble after insulation.




Finally get you grill back in by sliding it in side ways,matching up the tabs and then pull outward until all parts are snapped in. Top holes have tabs they meet with so does the bottom and sides.




I took any extra wire and ziptied it to other wires that are ran behind the license plate.

 

These are 5000K hids by Morimoto bought from theretrofitsource.com also. They look like 6000K in these pics.

 

So this came in the mail!!! 5 meter waterproof led strip.



Had some old Blue LEDs I've been wanting to use also.


Testing where they should go


To help with wiring I unclipped the top half of the front bumper

Sadly going up the rear door would be odd due to the turn the strip would have to take. Ran the wires through the door firewall area then ran it behind the wheel well up into the engine bay. To connect the sides I can the passenger side under the wiper blades crowl.


Test run

 

Added a blue cold cathode in the lower grill and white in the upper.





0FG about the law so don't tell me it's illegal, say I'll get pulled over or complain, just enjoy the light show. "Offroad use only"

 

Fog lights took a rock and it broke past the yellow cover I added to cause a crack that let water in. Ordered a set of OEM style fogs with the bulb blinder and a cheap plug and play HID kit. With in a week internal paint started to flake. HIDs were junk and flickered.



Original bulb VS HID



Ordered a fog light set without the blinder and an LED bulb. Plugged right into the wire harness,no cutting needed. Came with filters too.





Here is the blinder style fog light VS the non. Left side has no blinder.







LOVE my LEDS ... Note the top LEDs are my switchbacks. Thanks JDM ASTAR,like $60



HID and LEDs





Since this I've readded my yellow tint. Still noticeable brighter.