How to Wire Running Board Lights

Sommerset

Accent lights add a cool feature to the vehicle and also enhance visibility in the dark.  Running board lights are quite popular among truck owners. They are LED lights you can connect to your running boards or around them to help with visibility at night or in dark parking lots. They also allow you to comfortably get on and off your vehicle as they light the running board step. They also help other drivers and motorists see your vehicle, especially when off-roading at night.

Running board lights are easy to install as most lighting kit comes with the equipment you require. Clean the surface, peel and stick the light strip on the vehicle on its sticky backside and then connect the wires to their respective power sources in the car fuse panel. Here are more details on how to install and wire your running board lights.

 Things You’ll Need

  • Running board light kit
  • Drill & Drill Bits
  • Wire crimper
  • Wire Strippers
  • Multimeter
  • Butt Splice Connectors
  • Heat Shrink
  • Alcohol prep pads
  • Rubber gloves

 Directions

  • Wear some rubber gloves for safety as you will be handling some open electrical wires.
  • Unpack the running board light kit and its accessories from the packaging.
  • When you buy your running board lights in a physical store, make sure they do a light test with a 12-volt power source for proper functionality. If you did buy your light kit online, you have to do the test yourself.
  • Connect the black ground wire to the negative terminal on your car’s battery.
  • Connect the yellow, orange, and white wires of the running board lights to your battery’s positive terminal.
  • This step is optional, but you can jack up your car some distance off the ground for proper installation.
  • Establish your preferred mounting location of the running board lights, either under the running boards or the pinch weld above the running boards. The running lights boards are flexible, so do not be worried about bending the light strips over curves or uneven surfaces.
  • Clean the mounting location with some soapy water to get rid of any mud or dust, rinse then wipe it dry. Once dry, clean the area with some alcohol prep pads to remove any oils that may prevent the light strip from adhering.
  • Alternatively, you can also apply an Adhesion Promoter on the mounting area to allow the running board lights to adhere better.
  • Mount the running board lights on the passenger’s and driver’s side with the wires facing the vehicle’s front. Start by removing the double-sided tape cover on the back of the light strips in sections while pressing firmly on the car’s surface. Do not remove the double-sided tape cover all at once.
  • To further secure the running board lights in place, you can use some mounting brackets. Determine where you want to place the brackets, make the screw locations and drill with a 3/32” drill bit. Then secure the mounting brackets with the screws provided to keep the running board lights in place. Keep in mind that not all running board light kits come with these mounting brackets.
  • Unwrap the wires and run them under the truck to the passenger’s side. Make sure the wires are clear of any moving parts or extreme heat.
  • Locate a grommet on the underside of the vehicle’s floorboard and route the power wires through the grommet into the car’s cabin.
  • Remove the interior paneling either by snapping them off or unscrewing the panels off, then pull the wires through into the truck’s cabin.
  • Use a multimeter to find the right power source for each light function on the vehicle. Connect the wires to any 12-volt power source, depending on how you want to use the running lights.
  • Black Wires – Ground
  • Yellow Wires – Amber Running Lights
  • Orange Wires – Amber Turn Signals
  • White Wires – White Courtesy Lights
  • Locate a 12 volt Switched Headlight Source on the vehicle and connect the yellow wire, meaning a dim amber running light will switch on only when the headlights are on.
  • To connect the running board light wires to the power source correctly;
  • Splice off about an inch from the light wires
  • Twist the same color wires from both sides of the running board lights.
  • Insert the butt splice connector and use a wire crimper to secure it to the wire.
  • Then place a terminal connector to the respective power source wire and insert the butt splice connector to complete the circuit.
  • Locate the 12-volt switched turn signal source on the driver’s and passenger’s side and connect the orange wire using the procedures explained above. The bright amber running light will turn on only when the front turn signal switches on
  • Locate the vehicle’s dome light source and connect the running board light’s white wire. The white running board light underneath will turn on when the dome light turns on and when you open the door. These lights will also light when you unlock your door and help you see when walking to your car.
  • Connect the running board light’s black wire to a ground source inside the vehicle. Splice the two black wires from both sides, twist them and connect a ring terminal connector.
  • Once complete, replace the interior paneling and test the running board lights.

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Are Running Board Lights Legal?

Most states have specific laws on the use of accent lighting and other vehicle modifications with restrictions on color, form, type, and mounting location on the vehicle. Running boards are legal, but they are limited to one on each side and must be non-glare white or amber.

No other colors are allowed, and if they do, they should not be visible from any direction, be unlit on public roads and do not flash or flicker. It is illegal if the lights cause any visual impairment or distract other drivers. Most states accept white and amber running lights, but blue and red are illegal to use because they are for police and other emergency vehicles.

The laws on accent lights on vehicles vary by state, so before installing one, you should check under your state’s unlawful vehicle modification laws to avoid any legal charges or penalties. For instance, some states like South Carolina do not allow any red, blue, or flashing lights on any side of the vehicle, whether visible or not unless it is an emergency vehicle.

 Best Running Board Lights

  1. ONERAY 2PCS 70inch IP68 LED Running Board Light
  2. OPL5 2Pcs 70 inch Truck LED Running Board Lights
  3. Opp UliteTruck LED Running Board Lights Amber Side Marker Kit

ONERAY 2PCS 70inch IP68 LED Running Board Light

ONERAY 2PCS 70inch IP68 LED Running Board Light

This running board light comes with a total of174 super bright LEDs with 2835-SMD (87 Amber LEDs and 87 White LEDs). It also has extra ground wire inline fuses for more safety.  It is dustproof, resistant to corruption from harsh weather with a waterproof rate of IP68.

Features

  • Light Source Type: LED
  • Brand: ONERAY
  • Item Weight: 1.1 Pounds
  • Voltage: 12 volts
  • Wattage: 36 watts

Pros

  • 30,000 hrs lifetime
  • Easy to install
  • Highly waterproof

Cons

  • The wires are too short.
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OPL5 2Pcs 70 inch Truck LED Running Board Lights

OPL5 2Pcs 70 inch Truck LED Running Board Lights

The OPL5 LED running board lights to provide super bright 216- SMD LED Switchback light strips. It has 72 LEDs of white lights and 144 LEDs of amber color. It has a wide variety of applications, such as on doors, running boards, and daytime running lights.

 Features

  • Light Source Type: LED
  • Brand: OPL5
  • Vehicle Service Type: ATV, UTV, Street Bike
  • Lens Material: Plastic
  • Voltage: 12 volts
  • Inline fuse

Pros

  • Easy to install
  • Extendable
  • Universal fitment

Cons

  • Not legal in states that do not allow flickering running board lights.
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Opp UliteTruck LED Running Board Lights Amber Side Marker Kit

Opp UliteTruck LED Running Board Lights Amber Side Marker Kit

OPP ULITE has one of the brightest truck LED running board lights in the market, with 216 SMD LEDs (144 Amber LEDs, 72 White LEDs) on each light strip. It also comes with a waterproof rating of  IP6 and Silicone built, making it resistant to corrosion by sand, water, dirt, snow, or dust.

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Features

  • Size: Two-70 inch strips
  • Light Source Type: LED
  • Brand: OPL5
  • Vehicle Service Type: ATV, UTV, Street Bike
  • Lens Material: Plastic
  • Voltage 12 volts

Pros

  • Has daytime running lights or parking lights
  • Easy to install

Cons

  • It may be too bright for marker lights.

 

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Conclusion

Running board lights are great for safety purposes and also enhance the overall look of your vehicle. However, you have to make sure the style and color you choose adheres to the state’s laws and regulations to avoid any penalties or distract other drivers on the road.