TechGeek

There is another thread here that shows a way to install puddle lights but I was browsing around v-led.com looking for my red led strips I plan on putting in my back seat footwells when I came across this...



What does everyone think about using led strips under each door rather than the round puddle lights?

Any thoughts on how you would run the wires from the 4 led strips on the door to the inside without them getting kinked or cut up?

myron

iTrader: (4)

I'm guessing you'd have to drill into the door and from underneath and pull the wires behind the door panel. Any other way would look stupid with wires hanging out

TailoredTL-S

It would be a hell of alot easier this way....
but puddle lights do look sick...

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

It looks pretty good.

CLtotheTL32

iTrader: (3)

I like it!

images

iTrader: (2)

it's been posted before that if you change to stock door light bulbs to a decent LED bulb you can drill 1-2 holes in the bottom of the plastic door light cover to get a very similar effect, with a lot less work

KB1Spec

iTrader: (4)

Wire it up onto each door panel dome lights.

TechGeek

I really like this even more than the individual circular pod lights I think. These can even be put under the skirt like the pod lights are and they are water proof and very thin so wouldn't be any concern of them getting knocked off. My concern though is that the picture is of an Altima which seems to have courtesy lights in each door. Correct me if I'm wrong but the Tl rear doors don't have courtesy lights do they? If that is true then how would we get power to the rear door led strips if we place them under the door like the picture shows?

KB1Spec

iTrader: (4)

Run the wire for the back door onto the top dome light.

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

T-Geek, I really like what you've done here. By the way, I've got the LED's in the footwells in both the front and back. I mounted the rears where the floorboards and the seat meet. That way, no one will kick them and break the LED's.




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TechGeek

@stevenbell...That isn't my car it was something I found that I want to figure out if it's possible to do on my car.

@kb1spec...I'm not so much concerned about where I'd tap into (figured i'd tap into a courtesy light for each door to get the on/off with the door and the fade off) than I am concerned with how to run the wire from the led strip to the inside of the car. This will be on a door that opens and closes so the wire has to be secure, hidden and somehow run from the underside of the door to the inside of the car. Is there A channel or something maybe near the hinge or something like that? I haven't begun to even look at the car yet for specifics or possibilities I just posted figuring all the great members here would have an idea or have done something like it.

KB1Spec

iTrader: (4)

Since you are putting the strips on the bottom of the doors. Run the wire inside the door panel and then run it along the door hinge. Then run it inside the lining on the pillars.

ggesq

iTrader: (1)

I like these more than the puddle lights. Good luck w/ the project if you decide to do it.

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

I've already done this boys the puddle lights under the side skirts remind me too much of neons. You can simply wire them to the door light, least that's what I did. I just ran my wires through the crack in the map folder. No drilling, just taping wires Yes my door lights change colors

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

Yeah this mod has already been done by several members. Agreed that this type of install is more functional and waterproof. For me the side sill puddle lights look better. To be honest they do little functionally. I did them because I LOVE that mini spot-light look. They fade off with the courtesy lights and look gorgeous, lots of curb appeal. You should see the attention and gawking when I pull up to a glitzy place for valet. Whenever people get into my LED'd car with the subs and screens and think they are walking into a club, lol. I know it's not for everybody.

angelzhope720

pretty cool

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

KB1Spec

iTrader: (4)

Either way you do it, it will look good IMO. Good luck

bzyrice

iTrader: (10)

put them in the doors not under the car.. or else it wll looks just like neons...

But for me.. puddles lights are still the best!

Screen404

Rockyfeller,

where did you get Acura door slits?

TailoredTL-S

Looks so "Hollywood" lol

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

Haha I had the crazy idea that puddle lights were constantly on or toggled to a switch baha I do like them, how it just spots instead of a big glow. Rocky, I'm digging your setup next time I'm at the shop I'm gonna grab some more LED's to do my rear footwells. I just wish I could figure out how to tie them all into my brightness switch in the dash for the gauges. Anyone got a diagram on this?

taintedplay

on the strips under the door, woudlent you not see it unless you opened the door? kind of eliminates the point IMO

myron

iTrader: (4)

smoked05: do you have any more pics or better pics? How long are the LEDs and how did you mount them there. I am having a hard time picturing this not getting smooshed or ripped off when the doors close

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

I'm using high powered LED's, found in commercial signs. As you can see I have them mounted right in the crack of the map pocket, towards the back. I used double-sided tape to mount and they are no more than an inch long. I have them wired to the door accent lights. I'll let the pictures do the talking when I post them.


Map pocket open=No light emitted.

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

That's a good idea too Smokd....never thought about mounting them that way.

No, puddle lights are not meant for when you are driving around, lol. People have done it that way, but no thanks. My car would seriously look like a UFO. They act like the dome lights. The turn on when a door is opened. They fade off as the interior lights fade off. I can manually turn them on (I did this once when a friend dropped an earring in a parking lot at night) by switching on the interior lights manually.

rockyfeller

iTrader: (6)

The sills were sold a few yrs back by 'Supercomputers' now they are very hard to come by. Once in awhile you will see it on sale on the Black Market section.

Yeah they do look "Hollywood", hehe.

TechGeek

@smokd5...damn you beat me to it I thought I had a new idea lol. Oh well late as usual. So then let me ask you can you give a write up as to how you did it? Also what did you do for the back doors?

taintedplay

i meant like when you unlock your car, not just alwasy driving around. but i gotcha

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

I'll get a write-up posted by tomorrow evening I have not done the back doors yet, but I will be using the factory actuator/switch for those as well. The LED's I used are super thin, so I'm not too concerned about them being "squished". It's really quite simple though, but your wish is my command I enjoy helping fellow AZer's

fz409040422

im terriblly sorry but i still want to say that sux. maybe it looks good from far away,but you cant see what under ur foot anymore. it is beautiful but not practical, i dont like it

AMUA6

iTrader: (7)

Hmm, as you open the door, unless you open it like a 5 year old, the light will emit anywhere the door is positioned, therefore you will see anything the door crosses over. Assuming that you don't open the door and the jump over it, or exit the car through the window like Bo and Luke Duke