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I just recently had some free time to install puddle lights on my 4G TL and 2G MDX. If you're not familiar with puddle lights, they typically come standard on some Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, etc. vehicles. They essentially light up the ground next to your vehicle, adding light for people see where they're walking while entering their vehicle. It adds a nice little touch to your vehicle when you unlock and enter your vehicle. I wired this up to the dome supervision light so it comes on only when you unlock the vehicle (Same as if you have your interior lights set to "Door") and the lights fade away after 25 seconds or when you lock your vehicle. The puddle light is not wired up to turn on when the dome light is manually turned on in the vehicle.
For anyone wanting to do this mod - I attached some pictures showing where I placed the lights in the side mirrors. I didn't have time to do a DIY, but Guitarplayer16 has a nice guide for his 3G TL light install to follow. I used similar flush mount less as guitarplayer, but got the 11mm instead. Depending on which vehicle you install these on, you will have to assess the best placement for it as it varies by each vehicle and generation. If anyone needs help or tips with this project, feel free to let me know.
Where I placed the led's is where I felt it would best fit considering everything else in the mirror. It lights up the ground quite well. The light does reflect off the vehicle a little bit(the picture exaggerates this), but that can't be helped too much due to the brightness of the led. Most factory equipped puddle lights face the same problem.
A few more photos of also my MDX puddle light install, which lit up the running boards nicely.
Last edited by ncxvtguy83; 03-16-2016 at 01:06 AM.
hmm i dont like how it has a hotspot near the door.. good idea but i think a different led would work.. that one is too powerful. looks odd
Somewhat agreed, however I pretty much accepted the fact that it will somewhat reflect off the door. I opted for more brightness. The hotspot is much more exaggerated in pictures, but in person the light is more dispersed and not so much "hotspoted". Someone else can play around with finding a less bright light and it may have less of a hotspot effect.
For reference, here's a lexus gs350 with factory equipped puddle lights, but the user installed brighter bulbs.
yea those places are not meant for super bright leds that have somewhat of a focus area of light.. i bet OEM bulbs look better than those as those leds focus the light way too much..
essentially the only light you are getting is whatever its reflecting off the door..
The hotspot is a bit of a downer, but your installation looks great.
You likely thought of this but I wonder if it would be different if the led was positioned a bit farther out. Since the bottom of the mirror begins to curve up, it might redirect the light enough. But then, you might not have the clearance you need. Installation does look really good, though.
yea those places are not meant for super bright leds that have somewhat of a focus area of light.. i bet OEM bulbs look better than those as those leds focus the light way too much..
essentially the only light you are getting is whatever its reflecting off the door..
you are actually incorrect on that. I tested this theory with special non-reflective paper temporarily placed on the door where the light reflects. Same amount of light shines on the ground without the reflection on the door.
Thanks fellas. I haven't seen any pictures of these installed on the 4G's so I figured I'd post my install for anyone interested in doing this and could benefit from it.
Sockpuppet - you know, there's a possibility I could have moved it out just a little more. IIRC, there was some plastic on the inside of the mirror which blocked that area, but nothing a dremel couldn't fix I'm sure. I was installing it at a very odd hour so I didn't have much patience. Good suggestion for others to take in consideration. Thanks.
I must say, the pictures are VERY EXAGGERATED and light shows up really bright in pictures. I took a look at the photos after the post and thought to myself, it definitely does not look like that in person. Try taking a picture of the sun or any bright light for that matter with a cell phone camera or and subpar professional camera. The picture does not accurately portray the light. Take it from me, the light is actually more dispersed and the so called "hotspot" is actually not that intense in person. But hey, I won't be able to convince those that already have their preconceived notions. Guitarplayer16 can probably vouch that the pictures are really deceiving. Not trying to wage a war, so hopefully those that ever wanted to do this is not discouraged. You can try out different leds. Mine is only 1 watt without a lens. I personally am very satisfied with the results. If you feel it's not your cup of tea, hey, you don't have to do it.
On a side note, I have always wanted to install leds behind the door handles and for it to light up the door handle indention with the unlock function/domelight supervision. Exactly what you see on BMW's.. Some of the 3G's members have done it. I THINK the 4G's are a little trickier to install than the 3G's. But it's something I will give a whirl sometime in the future.
Last edited by ncxvtguy83; 03-17-2016 at 10:31 PM.
Once I removed the respective door panels and side mirror. I installed the LED and ran the approx. 2 feet of led wiring through the side mirror. I re-installed the side mirror and fed the remaining line of wire through the door and crimped insulated male/female quick connect connectors to it (you can also hard connect the wires together and use shrink wrap). I then ran two 20 gauge wires from the driver's fuse box through the driver door loom and attached it to the quick connects I installed. I did the same for the passenger side door. When you actually remove the door panel, you'll see what you're working with and it will be more obvious and straightforward. LMK if you tackle this and have any specific hurdles and I'll help you out.
Last edited by ncxvtguy83; 04-13-2016 at 10:49 PM.
Thanks everything seems straightforward, just let me just ask you what fuse number you used or where did you attached the 20 gauge wires from the fuse box for it to light up only when you unlock the car and stay off while you drive the car.
Thanks again mang,
03-16-2016, 12:33 AM
