foot well lights on an XE

christo · 05-06-2009, 11:43 AM

So I was bored and decided to add foot well lights to my 07 XE CC. They were wired to come on when the door opens and go off when the door is closed or the truck is started (but they will also come on if the door is opened while the truck is running). I'll post some pics tonight of how they look as it was late last night when I finished. Overall it only took about an hour to do and this was including soldering the leds with resistors. You can use any leds, just make sure you use the right resistors. You will also either need to make sure you use leds with at least 130 degree viewing angle or use a diffuser type lens. I went with the diffuser type lens, which happenned to be lego peices! The lego peices came from a star wars kit and I had used these before on my sons pinewood derby car that he wanted lights on.

All in all this only cost me about $5 as I had the wire, solder, and connectors already. But to buy it all i doubt would run you more than $20-$30 including the tools.

Parts needed:

2 x 5mm round white leds (I used 7000mcd ones from Radio shack, 2 pack was $1.99)
5mm High-Brightness White LED (2-Pack) - RadioShack.com

at least 10' of 18gauge wire (home depot has it for about $5 for 20 feet)
2 x 390 ohm resistors $1.00
heat shrink tubing $3.00
solder
soldering iron
wire cutters/strippers
wire butt connectors $1.00 at home depot
wire taps $1.00 at home depot

To start you will need to solder the resistors to the leds, then heat shrink tube the led leads and resistor. I left about 6" of wire off each lead to work with.

Once that is done you will need to wire up your wire taps as it is easier to have this done ahead of time than try to do it once they are connected.

Your ground for the leds and the "switched on source" will be the blue wire coming out of the bcm at pin 63. This wire will read at around 8 volts with the door closed and 0 when the door is opened. You will need to tap this wire and then connect both of your ground wires from your leds to this. I used a butt connector from the leds to the one wire that was tapped to this blue wire. You will see this wire in the pic below. it is the blue wire with the red wire tap and the green wire coming out of it.

I then tapped into the constant 12v source for the drivers side accessory outlet. You then will again connect both of your positive wires from your leds to this 12v constant source. Again I used a butt connector so that both wires would be connected to this tapped wire. Sorry no pic of this. I had to remove the front radio bezel and the lower cup holder to gain access to it.

I mounted the leds to the bottom edge of the dash board so that the lights were aimed down. I drilled out a 3/8 hole and fed the led through the back and then into the lego peice. Then I just pushed the complete piece into the hole for a snug fit.

All in all I am very please with the added light. Having only the dome light before, with this addition there is much more light now when entering the vehicle or when you drop something on the floor to find it.

Below are the pics I took last night, the lights are much brighter than what this shows - but it's the best my camera could do.

**Irish125** · 05-06-2009, 11:57 AM

Thanks for the write-up. I plan on getting around to this eventually...

christo · 05-06-2009, 12:00 PM

it was very easy to do. the hardest part was just tapping the 12v source as it's a bit cramped in there for your hands to fit.

**Irish125** · 05-06-2009, 12:04 PM

Yeah I ran my CB power off of the same wire for now and it was a huge pita to get to.

*adamdude04* · 05-06-2009, 12:05 PM

Sweet, I can't wait to see the photos! I'm trying to get around to installing red neons under my dash and in the cargo area of my Bronco. In both the Titan/Bronco I have the overhead lights turned off when I open/close the doors. Too bright.

christo · 05-06-2009, 12:47 PM

I'll take some pics as soon as it's dark out and then post them tonight or by tomorrow morning.

I also added an amber led to my cupholder so that I can see where to put my drink. This light comes on when the truck is running and off when the truck is off. I can do a write up on that as well. It was even easier than the foot well lights. I used only an 600mcd led for this as i just wanted a "soft glow' and not a bright light.

**Irish125** · 05-06-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christo

I'll take some pics as soon as it's dark out and then post them tonight or by tomorrow morning.

I also added an amber led to my cupholder so that I can see where to put my drink. This light comes on when the truck is running and off when the truck is off. I can do a write up on that as well. It was even easier than the foot well lights. I used only an 600mcd led for this as i just wanted a "soft glow' and not a bright light.

Is it the full length console you have or a bench up front with the flip-down?

christo · 05-06-2009, 12:54 PM

I have the front bench seat with the flip up compartment.

**Irish125** · 05-06-2009, 01:04 PM

I think I saw someone who did this a while back. Maybe I'll try to find it again. I have the Drink Dockers in my cupholders so it wouldn't help much in seeing there but I wouldn't mind putting one or two inside the console so I can see in it w/o having to turn on the domelight.

christo · 05-06-2009, 01:14 PM

putting some leds inside the console should be pretty easy. do you have a 12v accessory outlet in there? I know I have one in mine which only works with the key in the on position, so just tapping into those wires would work.

I read that thread as well, but that had the center console so it was a bit different than what i have - but same idea.

**Irish125** · 05-06-2009, 01:37 PM

Yeah I've got the outlet in there so it should be pretty simple. I'll have to stop by Radio Shack and pick up the LEDs and resistors.

O-FiveCC · 05-06-2009, 02:02 PM

Yeah I want to see the console mod right up as well, I cant wait to see pictures.

christo · 05-07-2009, 09:19 AM

pics added to first post