Front Grill Lighting Concept

[Dallas Maverick]

I enjoy reading about what others are doing to their trucks, so I thought I would share as well.
This is in the works, and even close to complete. If you have any suggestions, feel free to pass 'em along!

GOAL: Add accent lighting for the truck that looks as OEM as possible.

I have a Lariat and so this won't work on other trims.

Starting up front: The Lariat grille has what I'm gonna call "pill-shaped" openings in it. My design idea is to install extra DRLs in the upper portion of the grille to mimic the F-150 Lighting a little bit. (BTW, I saw one up close and in person this week. It looked really sharp)

What I want to do.

• Extend the Lariat DRLs across the top of the grill and make it look something like this: Lights need to be bright, smooth, no hot spots, and need to match the color of the exsting DRls as slose as possible.
• 

I have two challenges that I'm working through right now.
Challenge #1- Those pill shapes on the top of the grille are not open, like the ones below. I'll have to route them out to achieve the look that I want.

Challenge #2 I haven't found a light that will look right yet. Before I start carving up my grille, I think I need to lock down a light that I think is going to work first.

Approach:
I'm going to use the bottom grille openings as a template. If I can get it to look right, and get the light color right, I'll be in a good spot.

I have sourced an LED housing and cover that will actually fit 'inside' the pills, when installed from the back. Also, these openings already have a lip on them that would allow me to cover up the edges.

I had some extra LED strips laying around, so I'm using what i have at the moment for proof-of-concept. If I like the overall look, I"ll order the right color light.

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[DeeZee]

You sir have waaaayyyy to much time on your hands. AND I DIG IT.

Looks like a fun project!

 

[Stevezilla]

I like it!

 

[respi133]

I like it, I'm working on a lighting mod as well using a different part of the grill, on an XLT. I know the wiring's different between the trims but how'd you decide to wire the additional LEDs?

 

[Dallas Maverick]

I like it, I'm working on a lighting mod as well using a different part of the grill, on an XLT. I know the wiring's different between the trims but how'd you decide to wire the additional LEDs?

I haven't decided yet. The DRLs on the lariat have at least 3 different intensities based off of what's going on with the car.

1) Remote start, car off,
2) Car on, in park
3) Car on, driving.

Based on that, it might make the most sense to tap into the line for the DRLs. What are you thinking of doing?

 

[rclee]

you could kind of stagger them and make it look like a Santa Cruz front DRL.

Ahh I'm just messing with you.

 

[Cannedtunafishisgood]

Great more lighting to blind other drivers. Yeah lets encourage this.

 

[Dallas Maverick]

Great more lighting to blind other drivers. Yeah lets encourage this.

I think you’re over estimating how bright these are…
The DRLs are about as bright as the side marker lamps. They are in no way blinding to oncoming traffic.

 

[Darnon]

Great more lighting to blind other drivers. Yeah lets encourage this.

I doubt anyone is getting blinded by some couple-of-watt LEDs through a diffuser.

 

[Cannedtunafishisgood]

See how long you can stair at them if you think that won't be an issue.

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