D.I.Y. - Interior Footwell LEDs
 

Disclaimer: Due to the involvement of electrical components, perform this mod at your own risk. For the record, I have had this modification in my car for about 5 months now with no problems.

The kit used in this install is the 4 piece non-expandable kit from LEDUnderBody.com.

Here's my youtube video demonstrating the different modes of the interior kit and my underbody kit (made by same company).
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2KfwmVmgxfY

This is the kit:
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4...nteriorrc8.jpg

The mounting hardware that they include is just a few very small screws that aren't very practical, so I instead went out and bought some double sided 3M heavy duty automotive molding tape as well as some electrical tape for extra hold.

The first thing you should do is mount your control box. This way, you know exactly how much wire you have to work with. I mounted mine between the console and my driver's seat. It's easily accessible and out of plain sight.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4...427copyqw3.jpg

This is the underside of my driver's seat. This tube, as well as the others, is secured by 3m double sided tape and electrical tape on the sides just in case.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/5561/img0410dc8.jpg

This is the driver side footwell, ELECTRICAL tape should be used. The red/black cable is the power source and it runs across the footwell and up into the fuse box, which is behind your headlamp controls.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3...430copyvw1.jpg

This is what my fuse box looks like because I have my Valentine One, my led underbody and my led interior drawing power from here.

You will only need to worry about two wires:
The red one (power) and the black one (ground.
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1916/img0408ib2.jpg

Pull out any fuse (yes, any...I've tried them all and they all work) and wrap the red wire around one of the stems of the fuse. You may need to strip the plastic around the wire to get enough contact between the wire and the fuse. Place the fuse back into its original slot.
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5456/img0419rm2.jpg

Now, we need to connect the ground wire to a nearby screw. Conveniently, there is one inches from the fuse box. Loosen the screw a little bit, wrap the wire around the screw and tighten the screw, making sure the screw is holding the wire in place.
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2267/img0420qr0.jpg

The two wires for the passenger side wrap around the back of the console.
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/9701/img0414tx0.jpg

A side shot displaying where the wires are tucked that lead to the passenger footwell tube.
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2271/img0415cs4.jpg

Passenger footwell tube:
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/3269/img0416ip6.jpg

The tube underneath passenger seat. Again, secured with 3m double sided tape, and electrical tape on the sides.
http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/4720/img0418iw9.jpg

That's pretty much it, it's a very simple and straightforward install.

Here are some finished pics:
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/525/img0423dp6.jpg
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/9817/img0424eh6.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6234/img0346vn3.jpg

not bad kev. hmmm...

Can We Say RICE! Sorry not a fan. If I wanted to do that, I would have gotten a Honda.

not bad, just too much light if you ask me




ALi

Kev, I would rethink your power source. If you want to tap into a fuse, please do it correctly. Thats just asking for trouble.

You want to use this:

http://www.hummerxclub.com/tech/images/fuse2.jpg

yeah i couldnt find any other than online
so i did that for a 'temporary' fix...
but left it when it didnt cause any trouble

I dont think its necessarily "rice"

Technically, if we "change the exhaust" and "add a body kit" would that be considered a "rice mod". I mean, as long as its not overkill neons its fine. Its for giggles.

:nix: its a fairly common part. Autozone usually has them.

Its too much light i think. I would install it if its not dat much bright. : )

Yes, what you can do is aim the 2 under the seats towards the back, that will distribute the light more. I might be doing that later on.

i'll check it out tomorrow, but i remember calling them and pepboys and asking and they all had no idea what i was talking about.

I agree a little too much light, but maybe if aiming them backwards doesn't help then you could tape off part of the light stick. It's probably doesn't generate much heat.

Yeah it actually doesn't generate any heat haha.
LEDs run cool enough as it is, and its enclosed in tubes.

nice, great diy

I am sure they have some, they just didnt want to go and take a look. Lazy b@stards.

ohhhh. Cool DIY meng. I'd consider doing it, but electrical stuff isn't my thing. hahah

Do the lights only turn on when i open the door and they turn off when i close the door?

nice mod kind of bright tho but looking good!

Not my style but a lot of work went into this installation, so I can appreciate it. Really good write up for the do-it-urselfers. Thanks

I think they look really good. I think I'm gonna do it, Great DIY!

Thanks to everyone that can appreciate this DIY even if it's not your style!

Any chance you could post a picture of the white lights with a little tape blocking off 1/3-1/2 of the sticks?

They aren't hooked up to the door lighting, it's just a on/off switch operated from the control box.

+1 on the white

i only have the single color kit
but if you guys are looking for something not as bright as what i have
i recommend getting neons because they give off a less intense glow
my friend just purchased a set of green neons (the last set) from that site
and i'll post pics of the finished install

I would be interested in doing this if it could be made to look like stock.

That means a fairly dim glow from the foot wells, and the color of the lights would have to be a yellowish white (I know it doesent sound like a very appealing color, but it would match the rest of the lighting in the car.

That's how the stock foot well lights in the E class and up work.

Btw if anyone is looking for a neon underbody kit, click in my sig. :D

Proper Tapping of Fuses
 

Since my ghetto tapping of the fuses was frowned upon, I went to AutoZone today and picked up 3 Add-A-Circuit's and a 2pack of these little circular grounding things, haha! Hopefully I have it all done right now.

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7321/img0448lm7.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/223/img0451yy9.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7720/img0455gd6.jpg

nice DIY

on the flip side anyone wanna help me tint my tails??? :naughty:

Nick "C24owner" did mines and it came out GREAT maybe he can help you

+1 It would also be nice if the brighness could be adjusted with the turning dial, just like the cluster/radio/climate.

how did he do it? tint or Nightshades?

doing mine soon myself so i gotta figure out what exactly i wanna do.



ALi

i have factory foot lights in my car and you can barely notice them, a brighter bulb/LED would be great, so don't make it too dim, and if you want a factory look go with a yellow or a red, would look great.



ALi

Anyone know if you can replace the factory foot lights with a brighter bulb/LED? And if so where could you get it? I think that would look perfect..

if you weren't remotely interested, you woudln't have visited the thread. he did a good job on the install and took tons of time to create the pics, edit them and post. don't knock it. just leave the thread. we don't need your comments here. :smash:

KEVBLAH: I was just looking at that same kit a couple days ago. Great DIY job. Thanks so much for taking the effort to create this for the forum. Glad we have contributors here on the forum like yourself. Just ignore the other folks that can't appreciate the effort. The quality of the photos are great too. Thanks!

I should clarify.....Say if i gave the owner of the miami dolphins a ride in my c32, since he is an AMG fan and my company's main client, I would feel really bad if he had ...a seizure cos' all sorts of strobes were going off.

wonder how it would've looked if amber bulbs were used... :p:

+1.............. Not my taste any more, but 20 years ago I was his age and would have been right there doing the same thing. Great Job, and enjoy your ride! note: Please do be very careful of what fuse you get power from.

thanks a lot man! glad to know my work spent is appreciated by someone haha

yeah i rewired it all again today
im now drawing power from 2 previously empty fuse slots and one other fuse thats only used to power the teleaid equip

also added a rocker switch to turn my v1 on and off...absolutely great

Kev sweet job on the DIY there really isn't any other way to do it. I have it installed exactly the same. For the people worried about too much light, I have one of the pairs facing the rear seats...looks awesome in my opinion...and is not overly bright. I'd love to get pics for you all but I suck at taking pictures and I'm lazy cuz its snowing out :y

I use the hazards fuse (with the correct fuse taps) to power mine...

Thanks man, my fuse box is chockful of goodness now.
I might make a DIY on installing switches in the W203 to power accessories.
I installed a rocker switch to turn on and off my V1 today.

Please take pics of how easy it is to get past the fire wall. I have never taken pics of the "carpet padding" in the fire wall. Once removed, you can almost put your arm straight though. If you ever need power from the battery, this is great place to run the wire. K-40 or other radar detectors wires can be run past here and even sneak them past the rubber grommets in the fuse block before passing into the passenger compartment.

I actually didn't get past the firewall at all in any of my installations. I actually don't even know how to do it.

open hood, remove fuse pane cover on drivers side. In car, remove plastic hush panel. In car you can see a piece of foam under drivers side. Remove from there. Engine side, look into fuse box on drivers side deep into back of fuse box. Once the padding is removed, you have a straight shot into the passenger compartment. Please PM me with questions.

Fabulous. A good concept. I like it. I am a big fan of recessed lighting. Nicely writen explaination, and follow-up to tidy the wiring.

Does anyone know if you could wire it up to go on only when the door opens????

Not bad Kev, reminds me of the civic days. Too much light IMO, but looks good.

Kevblah,
thanks for sharing.. i have a few suggestions..
first - any hardware store or radio shack has these cable clamps that can secure the neon tube to metal of seats. Carefully drill holes for the cable clamps.
second - your rocker switch doesn't match the look of your car, oznium or again radio shack has the round style rocker switches that are discrete and can be mounted under the dash of inside the console for a clean look.


My plans as the weather warms up here in ohio is to install the same neon but might wire into the driver and passenger doors when opened.. I found a site "bensbenz" that has a great diy on illuminated door sill. and also add clear cathodes inside the trunk.


thanks
dirt diggler

Lets not talk about Ohio weather right now. I hate this place. I cant wait to go back to FL. :smash::topic:

i agree - i am looking for a job transfer as we speak..

yeah i want to avoid drilling at any cost
especially into the console

no no -certainly not on the console. i meant maybe inside the console compartment, stealth like or maybe in the cigarette compartment. just ideas..

Kev- I like your setup! I don't know if the blue is my thing but props for the install and DIY! I'm thinking about doing this now... I just don't know what color would be most subtle...? :confused:

OMFG! :eek: Seriously, you guys need to get the proper OEM fuseholders and metal pins that connect to the driver's side fusebox to add new circuit. Fusetaps and spagetti wiring not only looks like crap, it is a potential fire hazard. I used a fusetap once and threw it away shortly afterwards.

Also, that is not a proper grounding point in the above picture.

if its too bright you could buy the expandable version and simply hook up only 2 of the LED' logs...or put the 2nd set of 2 in the back....

looks really nice..good job!!!

i have a set of these lights brand new if anyone wants to purchase it

Hey kevblah, I'm planning on doing something similar. I ordered from the same place you did. There really isn't much i can do engine wise (m271) so i figured i'd work on the aesthetic stuff instead.

I saw your video on youtude. It looks nice!

I'd like to have that, but I just want it to come on when the interior lights come on like when you open the door, or have a seperate switch.
Don't need the strobe effect or whatever.
I just would like to be to find stuff in the dark without getting a flash light,
or maybe use the footwell lights and not the other interior lights when the door opens.
Is that possible?

oh should of bought it off me...mine brand new sold, it to you cheaper

I paid a total of $60 including shipping.
I got 4 15" sticks and 2 9" sticks. They're all red (i already did my interior lights in red)
I should get them this week and get them installed.

I like the idea, but I think that is too much light. Can you Dim the LED's?

I have a set of LED brand new if anyone is interested..Same Ones as kevblah

Yup... just need to tap it to the dome light... other than that I nt confirm...

kevblah: I used neons instead of led... hide the cables same as yours... just that I need to on using the cigarette lighter... so theres a small cable sticking out the cigarette lighter... any advice??? Anyway... you can drop in at my thread to see the neons...

i did the LEDs strips and used the ashtray light, so it comes on when the lights come on. I might wire it somewhere else later and add a switch

I believe that you can just add a resistor. You could even use a potentiometer with a knob to get it adjustable, if this is the case.

Get a cigarette-lighter hard-wire kit adapter. You just plug it into the adapter and then hardwire the adapter. This is the easier way.
http://www.tss-radio.com/images/cig-...pter_thumb.jpg
http://www.tss-radio.com/cigarette-l...er-p-4057.html

Great... will definitely buy this after i complete move in to san diego.. sd here i come...

or you can cut the wires right before the cigarette adapter and hard wire them to a power source

clarification please?
 

OK! Well i have been wanting to do this for some time now, its actually saved in my favorites!

But can someone please clarify as to how they are getting it to turn on with the doors? I keep seeing something to do with the cigarette lighter, but from what i understand, the lighter will not work anymore... Thats a tad bit of a problem cause my radar is plugged in there. ( sits on my HandStands over the pass. airbag )

If i am wrong, i wont get my feelings hurt. Just let me know. And if anyone has instructions on how to pull all the plastic pieces off and such, help me out, or refer me to another d.i.y. on that. Want to install ipod integration too and you gotta pull the panels off... :/

Much appreciated!!

By the way.. NICE JOB ON THE D.I.Y!!!

i installed by using the wires that go to the ashtray light, which I don't need anymore. So when the cluster lights up along with all the button on the console and the shifter selector (if auto), so does the LEDs. If you want it when the doors open you will either have to wire to the specific fuse wiring for that or up to the dome light and ground there. So when the dome light turns on the foot well will also.

If I have auto set up on the lights, it comes on when I unlock the car and dark outside.

Ah, okay. So not the cigarette lighter as I had thought, but the little, nearly useless, light inside the ashtray? Makes sense now. And now do you just cut and hardwire the LED's straight to there? You mentioned something about the fuse.

Here is what I am understanding. You must find the wires for the ashtray light. Cut/ remove (whatever you wanna call it) the light from the wires. Connect the LED's to these wires. And voila, LED footwells for door opening, etc. Correct?

determine how you want your lights to come on.

For door opening: wire to dome light or not sure if will work to the fuse for that light. I have a PDF on installing the puddles lights I can email to you on how to wire it to the dome light.

To the ashtray light or cigarette adapter light will be an illumination wire, also used for the radio with aftermarket. So when the car senses dark out your gauges and buttons light up. This is how I have mine wired. When I unlock the car and its dark, the gauges light up hence my leds do also. but when you open the door then shut off till the key is in. If you are going with the ashtray light, just unplug the light and the wires have to connectors on the, if you have the female push connector that fits un that or just wire directly.

I would think you could tap into the door open switches, no?

It might have helped if I mentioned how I wanted them to come on. Basically, I want them to be just like the current footwell lights. So I guess, open door, on at night, etc etc.

I have some electrical experience. I installed a head unit, subs/ amp and a PA ( yes, a CB/PA hahaha ). I have not done anything with the Benz. But I would gladly take a look at the pdf you have. If it is not entirely out of my league, I might go for that option. I just hate seeing wires. I cant stand it!! So I'm assuming the dome light would be a cleaner install?

I am sorry to all that read my comments. I sound like such a nooob. I apologize to all those whom I bug the hell out of. I just like being sure what I am doing before I go ripping door panels and wires out.

I appreciate all the help that everyone is offering. There are good people on here.

I did it the way kevblah did by getting the fuse bridge thing like so:

http://www.hummerxclub.com/tech/images/fuse2.jpg

I also got the same kit as the one if the first post on this thread only mine are red.
Upside: there is a controller for the lights and the wiring is clean.
Downside: they stay on when the car is turned off. I need to find a fuse that is inactive when the car is off.

Electronics confused?
 

Searched the forum for about two hours but cant find a solution:

I've installed some LEDs that ive ordered from superbrightleds.com and they all have a slight dim factor going on the entire time the car isnt locked (driving, standing, ...) ... What should i do? The LEDs are all connected to the dome light circuit. Do i need to install a ballast bulb somewhere and if yes, what type? 5W or 10W?

Any help is appreciated.

it seems pretty easy im gonna try it. hope it works im not good with this type of stuff

Did you ever figure this one out?