LEDs in Cab Lights
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
If you want something for safety while plowing, get something like this:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...1857_200361857
If you don't like the way it looks, take it down when you aren't plowing. Coming from someone who used to plow, hide a strobes don't cut it, and making your cab lights flash won't be nearly bright enough to act as an actual safety warning light. You need to get something that's actually made to act as a real warning light.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...1857_200361857
If you don't like the way it looks, take it down when you aren't plowing. Coming from someone who used to plow, hide a strobes don't cut it, and making your cab lights flash won't be nearly bright enough to act as an actual safety warning light. You need to get something that's actually made to act as a real warning light.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
like i said, i have hideaways in all the corner marker lights on the truck. maybe you don't have any recent experience with the new hideaways out there on the market, but i can assure you that today's LED hideaways provide adequate warning - and they are designed to act as an actual safety warning light. these are not the high draw, high heat "strobes" of years back - LED technology has come a long, long way.
the cab lights will be supplementary to these existing hideaways, they will not be the primary warning lights.
$25 for the flasher, $30 for the LEDs, and $10 for the relays - for $65 and a few hours on my weekend i'll give it a shot.
the cab lights will be supplementary to these existing hideaways, they will not be the primary warning lights.
$25 for the flasher, $30 for the LEDs, and $10 for the relays - for $65 and a few hours on my weekend i'll give it a shot.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
i'll gladly post it here once complete. however, posting images on this forum has always alluded me for some reason. i belong to several other forums and have no issues posting images, but never did it here - although i have tried.... anyone got any advice on how to post it?
the particular flasher i used was sho-me 11.1005TSF. i'm going to also put together an entire parts list for my reference if anything ever needs replacing. i can post that too if interested.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
ok, so here's my attempt with photobucket - i hope it works....
the first pic is the flasher and relays which i located behind the passenger rear speaker. if relays need replacing or i need to inspect something, all i have to do is remove the 4 screws and the speaker. plus you'll never even know its there. it out of harms way too. i built the black bracket you see. two 1/4-20 bolts hold it to two factory drilled holes that were unused. i tapped them to accept the bolts and it worked out great.
the second pic is the factory plug for the cab lights located behind the passenger side kick panel. the grey wire is what i plugged in to power the relays in order to turn the cab lights on and off with the headlight switch.
i am working on a wiring diagram and will post that soon if this photobucket thing works....
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
the first pic is the flasher and relays which i located behind the passenger rear speaker. if relays need replacing or i need to inspect something, all i have to do is remove the 4 screws and the speaker. plus you'll never even know its there. it out of harms way too. i built the black bracket you see. two 1/4-20 bolts hold it to two factory drilled holes that were unused. i tapped them to accept the bolts and it worked out great.
the second pic is the factory plug for the cab lights located behind the passenger side kick panel. the grey wire is what i plugged in to power the relays in order to turn the cab lights on and off with the headlight switch.
i am working on a wiring diagram and will post that soon if this photobucket thing works....
[/IMG][/IMG]
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
1 relay would have worked, but then all lights would flash the same and i could only use one of the outputs on the flasher. i am using a 2 output flasher and you can see lights 1,3, and 5 flash seperately from lights 2 and 4. however many outputs you use will be the number of relays you need. if you wanted each light to flash seperatly from all the others, you would need 5 relays and a 5 output flasher (i don't think one is made). 2 outputs works perfect in my opinion.
i'll try to get that wiring diagram done and posted soon.
here's another video and it shows the switches i used. i was able to locate them where i did because my truck is gas. this location wouldn't have worked on my powerstroke.
i'll try to get that wiring diagram done and posted soon.
here's another video and it shows the switches i used. i was able to locate them where i did because my truck is gas. this location wouldn't have worked on my powerstroke.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
you are correct. i have a 1990 F350 i am parting out, so i took the cab light harness out of that, rebuilt it so that lights 1,3, and 5 are tied together seperately from lights 2 and 4. i then snaked that harness into my truck, plugged it into the lights, and left the orginal one in there. i could have rebuilt the original harness, but with a parts truck sitting right there i figured i'd modify that harness instead.
the rebuilt harness from my parts truck runs back toward the speaker where it meets the relays. behind the speaker seemed like a great spot for it all - plenty of room, out of the way, out of sight, and protected from damage.
once i do this wiring diagram i'll post it here. it'll make it clear exactly what i did.
the rebuilt harness from my parts truck runs back toward the speaker where it meets the relays. behind the speaker seemed like a great spot for it all - plenty of room, out of the way, out of sight, and protected from damage.
once i do this wiring diagram i'll post it here. it'll make it clear exactly what i did.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 49
Likes: 4
Oh ok that makes sense. My truck didn't havt can lights on it stock so when I get back from spring semester I'll be putting smoked cab lights with LEDs on it. I was thinking of doing hooking it up to a strobe like yours is. It looks really good btw