[Greymalken]

I've been checking out some of the Gen 1 LED strip lighting threads and decided I want to do something similar to my Gen 2. I have a few questions that I can't seem to find answers for and those threads are mostly dead. First, does anyone have any suggestions for decent quality strips? Amazon has 100s of them but I'm sure most of them are made out of chinesium. Second, I was thinking of going all the way across the grille and the bottom lip too. (see pic) This isn't illegal, right? It would be similar to trucks running LED fog lightbars on their brush guards... right? Any way, thanks for the help!

 

[Dutch]

I can't speak for your state, you'd have to check your DMV regulations.

In Virginia I can get away with "eyebrow" lights that aren't too bright because most of the inspection guys consider them part of the DRL setup.

If I tried to put lights in all the places you highlighted, and then drove on the road with it, that would most likely be ticket-time if a Virginia State Trooper saw it, and they would since I see them daily on the highway.

I got most of my lighting from SuperBright LED.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-accent-lighting/

They seem to have some decent quality stuff, or at least what I have has been holding up well over the past year+

 

[Greymalken]

I can't speak for your state, you'd have to check your DMV regulations.

In Virginia I can get away with "eyebrow" lights that aren't too bright because most of the inspection guys consider them part of the DRL setup.

If I tried to put lights in all the places you highlighted, and then drove on the road with it, that would most likely be ticket-time if a Virginia State Trooper saw it, and they would since I see them daily on the highway.

I got most of my lighting from SuperBright LED.
https://www.superbrightleds.com/cat/led-accent-lighting/

They seem to have some decent quality stuff, or at least what I have has been holding up well over the past year+

This is the most I can find about lights in SC:
SECTION 56-5-4830. Special restrictions on lamps; degree of intensity; red, blue and flashing lights. [SC ST SEC 56-5-4830]

Any lighted lamp or illuminating device upon a motor vehicle, other than head lamps, spot lamps, auxiliary lamps, flashing turn signals, emergency vehicle warning lamps, and school bus warning lamps, which project a beam of light of an intensity greater than three hundred candlepower shall be so directed that no part of the high intensity portion of the beam will strike the level of the roadway on which the vehicle stands at a distance of more than seventy-five feet from the vehicle.

It doesn't really define where they can and can't go, though.

 

[saltsman]

You want this stuff:https://www.superbrightleds.com/mor...e-lights-super-flexible-led-rope-lights/2959/

Regular LED tape will not take the heat and in't flexible enough for the bends you're going to have to work around. This stuff is a little better, but will still turn with the constant UV exposure if you aren't careful. Try to keep it in the shadow...

There's a fine line between cool and cheesy. Stay classy South Carolina ;-)

 

[BAZINGA]

I gotta tell you to make sure what you do is legal. Almost every morning I motor to work with the same F-150 4X4 that has some uber bright led strip that follows the entire width of the grill. If he's in front of you it's like aircraft landing lights, but if he's behind you its massively distracting, and being a jacked up 4X4 his light(s) in the dark ruin ANY night vision. I'm having to constantly adjust my mirrors or slow and let him pass me. I shouldn't have to do that.

 

[saltsman]

I gotta tell you to make sure what you do is legal. Almost every morning I motor to work with the same F-150 4X4 that has some uber bright led strip that follows the entire width of the grill. If he's in front of you it's like aircraft landing lights, but if he's behind you its massively distracting, and being a jacked up 4X4 his light(s) in the dark ruin ANY night vision. I'm having to constantly adjust my mirrors or slow and let him pass me. I shouldn't have to do that.

Those are for off-road use only, but some people feel the need to compensate.

Here's the Illinois law of it helps:

(625 ILCS 5/12‑207) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑207)
Sec. 12‑207. Spot lamps and auxiliary driving lamps.
(a) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed one spot lamp and every lighted spot lamp shall be so aimed and used upon approaching another vehicle that no part of the high‑intensity portion of the beam will be directed to the left of the prolongation of the extreme left side of the vehicle nor more than 100 feet ahead of the vehicle.
(b) Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not to exceed three auxiliary driving lamps mounted on the front at a height not less than 12 inches nor more than 42 inches above the level surface upon which the vehicle stands.
(c) The restrictions of subsections 12‑207 (a) and 12‑207 (b) of this Act shall not apply to authorized emergency vehicles or equipment used for snow and ice removal operations if owned or operated by or for any governmental body.
(d) The minimum and maximum height restrictions prescribed in subsection (b) of Section 12‑207 shall not apply to privately owned motor vehicles on which a snow plow is mounted, while in transit between or during snow and ice removal operations. This exemption shall apply only during the period from November 15 through April 1, and only when the snow plow blade, commonly referred to as a "moldboard", is properly and securely affixed to the front of the motor vehicle.
(Source: P.A. 85‑1010.)

 

[Greymalken]

So I might do an LED strip for eyebrow lights and the flexible light strips for accent lighting behind the grille. Maybe wire the grille so it blink with the turn signals. I'm not sure how I'll do it yet. I'm still trying to figure that out.