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LED Hood Light Mod

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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 12:01 AM
  #1  
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LED Hood Light Mod

Hey everyone, I had a little PMS happening this week, so I thought I would share what I did. I ditched the little under hood light for a pair of KC HiLITES LED Accessory lights. I found these several places, so they are easily available. I also ran a quick exercise on the draw on the circuit with these and it was a minimal impact.

I put the details in an attachment on my web page, so go to the link below for the details.

Here is the article: Superduty Hood Light LED Upgrade



And a few videos showing the light operation


Lights Off Video

 
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 12:30 AM
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Nice! Thanks for sharing the download. Very thorough and detailed.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 01:41 AM
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Very cool. This is on my list for sure!
 
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 07:19 AM
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Great write-up and information, added this to my list as well. Reps sent!
 
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 07:57 AM
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Hey Ken, thanks for stopping by with that! I've been looking for something like this. The only caveat that crosses my mind would be it might be nice if there was a way to aim that more toward the engine instead of into my eyes. Saying that, it's nice to have the whole area lit up so one can see inside the tool box on the side of the road. I'd have to experiment.

Nice find!
 
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 08:24 AM
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Maybe with some sort of doughnut shaped wedge that the light is secured to, then the wedge is secured to the hood.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 06:27 PM
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Nice mod, thanks for posting.

Where is the switch on a 2001 F-250? My truck didn't come from the factory with an underhood light, and I get the feeling I have to add the switch as well as the socket/bulb?
 
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Syncrowave
Nice mod, thanks for posting.

Where is the switch on a 2001 F-250? My truck didn't come from the factory with an underhood light, and I get the feeling I have to add the switch as well as the socket/bulb?
You could just add a simple two wire circuit to the hood from the battery or fuse box. A mercury tilt switch or a push switch could be added that would turn the light on as the hood is lifted.
 
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Old Mar 10, 2016 | 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by woodnthings
You could just add a simple two wire circuit to the hood from the battery or fuse box. A mercury tilt switch or a push switch could be added that would turn the light on as the hood is lifted.
That's a great idea, thanks!
 
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Old Mar 11, 2016 | 06:11 AM
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Mercury switch? Even with the small size and the weight of mercury, I can't help but wonder if the bounce of our era Superduty might make "lightning" bleed out of the cracks between the hood and the body panels.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2016 | 12:16 PM
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Thanks, Ken. Being a relative noob around here, I've used and enjoyed some of your earlier projects/fixes; overdue reps sent!
 
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Old Mar 11, 2016 | 02:26 PM
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Great write up & idea too. As always Ken your work is A plus. Thanks
 
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Old Mar 11, 2016 | 03:16 PM
  #13  
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Well seems the rep cannon has already fired off a round at you so sadly I can't do it again, but great idea and project!! love how clean they look!
 
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Old Mar 11, 2016 | 04:08 PM
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Nice job. I'll have to look for those lights. Dealer broke my sons so this would be a better way to go for him also.
 
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Old Mar 11, 2016 | 07:16 PM
  #15  
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I'm glad to hear you have PMS !! It is good to see you post up. I really like them lights. I also can't help but to notice how nice and clean the engine compartment looks.
Good Job !!!

I myself have PMS from PMS..... My truck has been kicking my butt but Hell or high water I will hopefully have it solved this weekend. Which the light under the hood was only a minor problem. My hood light had to be removed since it was too tall and it hit the coolant filter. I just mounted the coolant filter. I like having a switched light for under the hood and I used this light and it angled the light nicely. I was brighter then the stock bulb set up but not great.


So I was looking around in my spare boat parts and I ran into a SeaSense 18 LED with build in switch. I was able to install it without hitting anything and boy is it bright. So I am going to buy another one to mount on the hood on the other side like you did. The downside these are 4" round and 1 1/4" tall and the wires mount under the light.
Super Bright Interior LED, Surface Mount - Seasense 50023850 - iboats.com

You can see where the hood rug was cut for the other light. I plan on addressing the hood insulator pad later.


 
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