Grille Lighting -- CCTs Installed

[MadDad]

I've seen this on a few Magnums and I decide to do the install myself. In Virginia it is illegal to run these lights while on the road so I wired mine for "out of the cabin" activation-- hopefully that will keep me from lighting them up accidentally. I tried an LED tube I got at Wal-Mart but it didn't put out enough light.
Before you start any project you must first take the appropriate precautions-- ie. feed the Mod Gnome

The kit I used is primarily for lighting computer cases. Available here http://www.xoxide.com/coldcathodes.html in different colors from $5.99.

After I opened up the package I snipped the wire from the computer plugs to leave the hot and ground attached to the plug that inserts into the transformer.


After I had the plug prepped I stripped the wire ends and attached a slide connector. I used slide connectors because I want to change the red tubes to blue when I get the new tube in, and I have the option to change out tubes or remove the set up if I want without having to cut everything.
Since this is not intended for outside use I used silicone sealer in all the openings to prevent reduce possibility of moisture.
After you have the power supply ready, pull the radiator covers and remove the pins from the top of the fascia


Now you need to remove the grille assemblies -- there are 2 clips 4 phillips screws and 2 phillips/square plastic screws holding the assemblies in. After you remove the fasteners , I work from top to bottom to remove the grilles -- push up to pop out the 2 top tabs on each grille, then unhook the four center tabs, and finally pull on the front of the fascia to get the bottom tabs where the screws are.

[MadDad]

After removing the grilles you can use wire ties in the existing tab holes or I drilled holes in the plastic center portion of the grille to run wire ties to hold the CCT in place.



run the wires toward the center portion of the grille so you can connect them to the power supply.
I cut industrial strength velcro to attach the power supply on the upper inner fascia

After you have the light attached you can run power from the car -- I used this handy point for the ground

And this point for the "hot",

I attached a simple toggle and inline fuse here and used the adjacent hole to run wires to the fascia and lights



Attach the power supply to the fascia and test the lights before you button everything back up


Now once it gets dark I'll take another shot so you can see the result if you haven't seen this before.

[Bigal470]

Nice write up cant wait to see them in the dark

[HemiLover]

Yeah need night pics! .... you may want to waterproof the shazit outa those inverters, they dont like moisture.

Great job again!!

[MadDad]

Thanks -- Silicone sealant everywhere I could get the tube on everything connected to them!

[Magmania]

Nice thread MadDad. Can't wait for night fall.

[Prospector]

Great artical, MadDad

[JRob007]

Yeah MadDad... great write up! Look forward to seeing the night shots!

[MagWag]

hurry up darkness!

[jayalbertcars]

Originally Posted by MagWag

hurry up darkness!

hello yes i want to see what they look like also that was great detail install procedure well done