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Driving at night, music blasting, cool lights shining in your car. Doesn’t that seem like the perfect combination? This article will teach you how to install LED lights in your car, truck, or SUV. It’s affordable, quite simple, and sets the perfect mood!

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Gathering Parts and Planning

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  1. Depending on the size of your vehicle, 4 is adequate, but you can always buy more!
  2. Installation kits are fairly inexpensive and include most of the parts needed to install the lights.
    • Ordering online is the most affordable, but auto parts stores may also carry them for a little bit of a higher price.
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  3. Options include under the dash, under the seats, or both.
    • Kits usually come with all that you need, but a fuse adaptor and some tools may also be required, depending on your vehicle. Kits usually come with the lights, zip ties, Velcro, and a power box.
  4. The recommended way is to use the fuse box, which is normally under the driver side footwell. There are other methods as well for powering the lights, such as using a cigarette lighter.
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===Installing===

Method 1: Using the Fuse Box

  1. It should state the location of each fuse, as well as what the fuse powers. Look for the accessory fuse location. This will allow the power of the lights to turn on when the car is on, so it doesn’t drain the car’s battery when the car is off.
  2. Place the fuse in a fuse adaptor, and insert the fuse adaptor back into the original fuse spot.
  3. Connect the lights to the power box.
  4. To do this, loosen up a bolt, put the wire under it, and tighten it back up. A grounding point is a metal part under the dash, such as the firewall. Without a proper grounding point, your lights will not turn on.
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Method 2: Using the Cigarette Lighter

  1. They are also known as a cigarette lighter, or car charger.
  2. The wire should be exposed.
  3. Crimp the connectors so they are secured.
  4. Plug the cigarette charger adapter into the 12 volt outlet.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Connecting and Organizing

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  1. Start routing your wires in a place where they will not be visible, such as under the dash or between the center console.
    • Use zip ties to organize your wires so they look presentable and clean.
  2. Mount the lights to your desired locations. It is recommended that you put one in the driver footwell, one in the passenger footwell, and one under each seat towards the back seats.
    • Use electrical tape to tape the wires to a place under the dash, so they don’t fall while driving.
  3. Ensure all wires are hidden.
    • If they are not secure, the lights can easily fall out when a car hits a bump, so this is a crucial step.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Testing

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    • If your lights don’t turn on, backtrack each step, and ensure that each connection is correctly fitted and tight.
  1. These type of lights are configurable to any liking.
    • Change the pattern and color using the included remote.
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      Things You'll Need

      • LED strips (number of your choice)
      • 5-10 ft of red and black automotive wiring
      • Zip ties (amount depending on how many lights)
      • Velcro (amount depending on how many lights)
      • Add-a-fuse
      • Electrical tape
      • Butt connectors (optional)
      • Wire stripper


      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about installing lights, check out our in-depth interview with Ricardo Mitchell .

      About This Article

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