DIY: VLED footwell lighting Install

Disclaimer:
This is a DIY, If you are not comfortable with any of the steps outlined in this DIY, then do not attempt this project. That said, I can not be held responsible for any damage that occurs to your truck as a result of your decision to follow the information contained within this thread.

Step 1:
Dis-assembly:
I removed the glovebox undercover on the passenger side first.
There are a total of (5) clips that need unset. (4) black molded in clips and (1) yellow clip.
A plastic trim tool or flat head screwdriver will do the trick.
Work from the passenger door toward the center console (right to left).
Leave the yellow clip for last.



In order to center the LED, I measured the footwell to ensure even light coverage.
The driver and passenger side both have about 24in of width on the IP (instrument panel)
Centered is 12" from center console, or about 8" from the edge of the yellow clip feature.


I set the led diode back from the edge to recess it so the diodes were not visible when entering the vehicle.
The Vleds have adhesive backing on the diode , but in the nature of robustness, I drilled small holes and ziptied it in place.
The diodes have (2) connectors on each end. I cut off (1) connector and heat shrunk the end closed. (shown on left). Then drilled a hole large enough to feed the lead through.

Notice, I used the left ziptie to clamp both the led diode on the bottom and the wiring to the undercover. The intent is to clamp the wire so it doesn't get kinked through the hole and so it doesn't stress the solder connection to the led board.

The LVED kit provides 4' or so of jumper wire to go from passenger side to driver side.
Since i cut off the extra connector from the LED, I soldered and heat shrunk that connector onto the jumper wire. I snaked the jumper line from the drivers side to passenger along the dashboard insulator (compressed jean material thing on firewall)
Snapped the wiring connectors together and installed the glovebox undercover.
Pull the the jumper wire slack back to the drivers-side.
Passenger side complete!


The driver side was a little more complex. There are not a lot of options to mount the LED in a hidden location.


Again, the blue Sharpie (circled) is 12" center so that is the target location.


I had some aluminum 1" L-Bracket material laying around and whittled it down to the above condition. I started with a 6" section but cut close to 1" of it off. Same principal with the zipties.

Above is the bracket mounted. I used the studs on the hanger beam. The nuts are M8.
I added a backer washer between the knee bolster stud and bracket.

The last step is connect the wiring.
The + wire is the wire with the White Dashing on it.
Test continuity before crimping the connectors.

Summary:
The LVED footwell kit is a pretty well put together kit and is easy to install.
No soldering is required and is plug and play into the parking brake light.
I did do some soldering to save the connector i cut off the passenger side diode.
My one complaint is that the DIY 2-pin Duo connectors that needed installed on the jumper wire didn't give a great "click" feedback when pinched together.

Good luck and comment with questions

 

Night Pictures:

 

Great write up with pics.Thanks for posting. VLEDS makes a great product.

 

I just added mine.. they must have modified them because mine are brighter. Also ran them differently than you did.. I also chose not to cut it because they have a rear kit I want to add soon for the back of driver and passenger seat.. I may go back and redo mine like you did yours on the passenger side at least.

 

I used plenty of this write up for my own install.

Thank you!

 

Thank you for the write-up and pics. I followed your passenger side to the letter and only added some cloth wrapping on the top of the panel to keep any rattling of the wires at bay. My 2017 had a knee airbag on the driver side, so ran the wires through a slit in that panel to manage them. With the airbag there, I have to rely on the 3M tape to keep that side in place.

all in all, a great improvement in the cab!

 

Where did you guys mount the light on the drivers side, those of you that didn't use the Aluminum bracket?

 

I used zip ties to attach it to the slot in the knee airbag cover, running the wires through that slot. Left it looking very clean but far enough back that you don’t see the lights themselves.

 

Has anyone ever extended the four Vled footwell lights with puddle lights over your running boards? Pushed wiring from puddle lights into the last Vleds female connector and they worked. Didn’t want to try my luck beyond that and quickly disconnected. Just wondering because I’m about to connects the wires more permanently so I get the boards lighting up as well when opening the doors.

 

I'd like to know this as well. I have the same VLED kit installed and would like puddle lights under the running boards.