Ok So its time for my first write up. Having a friend point out that I lack a hood light and researching the truth is that is another deleted part on my 2012 along with the skidplates it lacks.........wondering what I will come across next....or the lack there of. while looking around for hood light options. I came across a set of ultrabright LED's at autozone. devised a plan and hope this helps with others out there from 08 on I believe. sure you can go buy a kit. But I got away with this option for under 30 bucks. you may even be able to find led strips less, as mine was a knee jerk purchase.

LED stripes = $24......autozone
lever switch=$3.25....radio shack
pack of screws and nuts=$3


first pic shows relay in original spot.

Measure over 1 inch and drill a hole to relocate relay. this makes room for a bracket.

I happen to have this piece of metal lying around. great start to my bracket. drilled 2 tiny holes in top to mount relay.

other holes were already there. I notched them to make the bracket height adjustable.

after the notches are complete hold the bracket and mark and drill mount holes for bracket. place at its lowest setting. finger tighten nuts.

 

solder pig tails on to relay and the mount to bracket. I ran out of lockwashers so dabbed a bit of thread lock on those screws.

youu can see a ground stud 9white lower right. I ran strait from that up thru the switch. out the other side where I butt spliced to a insulated extention cord.
pulled that thru holes in the hood up to front. drilled a hole where I wanted it to come out exactly. tied it all in. led's had 3m tape on the back. i roughed up paint before sticking in place. stuck leds on the inward slanted space just behind hood latch.


during day with switch off.....

duringday switched on....
went out at night when it really matters. nice and bright. shines downward into the engine bay with good spread. and doesnt shine in the eyes at all

 

Time to relax and soak in a mod well done..... so i popped a and lit a


Oh. i adusted it up a little bit at a time.....as to avoid blowing out the switch.
I also had to hone the holes out on the switch as the were ever so slightly smaller than the screws I got.

 

Nice mod. I smoke Punch double maduro.

 

Thanks. Maybe we should start a cigar of choice thread. That may give me some ideas on triing optional cigars. Burns me when I get a cigar I think sounds good and it sucks.

 

Been awhile since the mod and I opened my hood at night. Wow. That sucker rocks.

 

Great idea"