how to install lights behind grill

[2000eb]

i have a set of hella 500 lights sittin in the garage that i want to mount behind my grill. i see that alot of people have them behind the grill but have not seen a thread on an easy install. any tips tricks etc appreciated. how did you wire yours up etc, any good switch locations.

 

[walnuts4x4]

mine is on the center console using a "missle launcher" type switch.... hard to see but look to the left bottom corner of my GPS...

 

[2000eb]

i like that and your gps mount mine randomly falls off window.

 

[walnuts4x4]

my mount used to have the suction cup for the window but I took it apart and bolted it to my console... looks way better and it does not move... i'm looking for a link I've seen before about lights behind the grill....

 

[walnuts4x4]

best how to I have seen for lights behind the grill for 97-03 f150 or expy

http://www.f150online.com/forums/1997-2003-f-150/393225-installed-lights-behind-grill.html

 

[Soldier777]

My switch is left of my steering wheel. Tons of room once you pop off the trim

 

[2000eb]

thanks, i like the misle launcher switch but wont it have to be open the whole time the lighta are on? i might do light tomorrow im gonna change plugs tomorrow anyhow.

 

[2000eb]

he was correct its hard to find a write up on "how to install" hellas. i think i might have something in mind for a mount but not sure. the light i have are brand new. should i convert them to HID before i install?

 

[walnuts4x4]

yes the missle launcher has to be open when on... but closing the cover turns the lights off.. also prevents accidental turning on of offroad lights....

as for HIDs that is a personal choice... one of the vendors here has a cool picture tutorial on HID conversion....

 

[panda24619]

thats a good write up, but what you can do is 2 other way. racenut has his installed on the sides of the thin metal/plastic pieces along the side of the inside. and mine are mounted on that cross member piece. its a pain to get it nice and tight with the mounts the kcs or hellas need, but what i used were some BIG washers i had laying around and put those in the cross member. held it nice and tight. but measure measure measure!!! i did and STILL had to move my passenger one. i was so mad. cause its a pain to put kcs back there.

 

[0212353]

should i convert them to HID before i install?

as for HIDs that is a personal choice... one of the vendors here has a cool picture tutorial on HID conversion....

do the HIDs! It will take you a VERY little bit of time, and the output kicks butt!

This is the second set I've done, figured I'd do a write up on it.

Stuff needed:

Hella 500 (or 500FFs), H3 HID Kit (6K Economy Kit from Retro-Solutions used for this set). boxes on top are strobes that I installed on these too.

Back of Hella:

Front

Remove the screw at the bottom, pull out the glass housing:

Take the bulb out, as well as the holder:

Test fit bulb:

Drill 1" hole right over the HELLA label.

Put the bulb in, smoosh the holders down

put the grommet on:

done! (strobes seen in this pic as well)

Total time..........10 minutes.

 

[2000eb]

panda... i guess it would be too much to hope you had a pic of your lights/ how their mounted? if not thats ok i just thought that maybe everyone had i similar easy solution like the gotts mod.

Jeremy... about how much do the HID kits cost... looks nice though great job. i m just afraid i may not notice these lights much over my headlights which have the silverstar ultra bulb or somethin like that it was the middle priced bulb out of the three that are better then stock

 

[0212353]

Jeremy... about how much do the HID kits cost... looks nice though great job. i m just afraid i may not notice these lights much over my headlights which have the silverstar ultra bulb or somethin like that it was the middle priced bulb out of the three that are better then stock

HID kits can be had for pretty cheap. I won't yank your chain, the ones I get through my vendor are about $60 shipped, but any cheap kit will work in the Hellas (DDM, eBay specials......etc).

You fire these up and you won't even know that your silverstars are on.

 

[2000eb]

thats sexy... my wife and i agreed that our next vehicle purchase is going to be a 2006ish dodge 2500 cummins megacab 4x4. i want a dually but id take it or leave it. sorry off subject i lost thought in the truck lol

 

[ELVATO]

Haha, HID >> Silverstars.

On that note, I just got some 500FFs. I'm kind of considering putting them on (with HIDs of course). Do you have any pics of just the 500s on?

The other concern is how I'm going to mount them in the Expy.

 

[0212353]

thats sexy... my wife and i agreed that our next vehicle purchase is going to be a 2006ish dodge 2500 cummins megacab 4x4. i want a dually but id take it or leave it. sorry off subject i lost thought in the truck lol

Haha, HID >> Silverstars.

On that note, I just got some 500FFs. I'm kind of considering putting them on (with HIDs of course). Do you have any pics of just the 500s on?

The other concern is how I'm going to mount them in the Expy.

Hids will make your silverstars look like a candle.

The only pics I have are above. I don't personally have them on my truck.