2015 Denali LED Illuminated Running Boards

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hosseface

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Wanted to add a little light to my Denali. I installed LED lights under my running boards and tied them into the puddle lamps on the mirrors. They come on anytime the doors are opened and when the keyless entry is unlocked. Turned out pretty nice and really looks great. Very functional too in a dark area.

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Pockets

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Looks great.. I was thinking something similar to this. How did you tap into the puddle light?
 

NathanJax

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Looks good. Where did you get them? Link?
 
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hosseface

hosseface

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The puddle lights are controlled by the BCM. It is to the left of the steering column under the dash.

Grey connector, PIN 8, Light Grey Wire with green stripe = + voltage for puddle lights. Tap into that, there is a grommet through the floor right by the snap lock for the floor mat in the LF. I just tapped in, loomed a wire, ran it down the "Denali" kickplate and through the rubber grommet.

The lights I used were: http://www.amazon.com/Hitlights-Wea...762605&sr=8-3&keywords=hitlights+weatherproof

I have used those same lights in various projects for about 2 years now and they hold up very well. They have a real thick epoxy coating for weather. I did remove the crappy "double sided tape" they have and used 3M Plastic and Emblem Adhesive to hold them on. It took me about 4 hours - but that was taking my time, heat shrink and wire loom, zip tieing everything up, etc, etc.

Pull up in a dark parking lot and they are pretty awesome. I also hardwired my V1 into the mirror. That wasn't too bad for anyone wanting to do that mod.

---------- Post added at 07:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:47 AM ----------

Looks pretty good. Like the Raptor in the back as well

Thanks!
 

jmitchell

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Wow that looks great! Those are way brighter than the lights that came with my power running boards. Thanks for the info.
 

JasonDenali15

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Looks sweet! What do the ones look like (in the dark) with the stock retractable boards? I ordered them too. Thanks!
 
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hosseface

hosseface

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Wow that looks great! Those are way brighter than the lights that came with my power running boards. Thanks for the info.

I actually ordered a dimmer this morning so I can tone them down at times. I might make them more the level of the puddle lights. They are definitely plenty bright.
 

jmitchell

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Here are the stock LED lights on the power running boards. It was raining out when I took these...
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hosseface

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So I've installed version 2.0 of this.

I never was thrilled with the initial install. The running board is not flat across the bottom, therefore, the led strip wasn't able to completely fasten to the bottom of the plastic 100% as I would have liked.

I went to Lowes and in the plexiglass cutting section, they carry these plastic trim pieces made to be used with window screens. I purchased two of them.

I pulled the sticky tape that came on the LED strips off and tossed it (would never hold up to the elements under the vehicle) and I used a professional strength 2 part 3M epoxy to epoxy the lights to the plastic "housing".

I then cut the housing to length, and screwed it (using 1/2" self tappers) to the bottom of the running boards. MUCH better and cleaner install. Not to mention the plastic piece serves as a guide and I now have a 100% straight strip of leds. Before if you parked on a puddle or on my painted garage floor, you could see the reflection with a slight hint of waviness in the lights.

Pics:

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THE YETI

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nice work sir!

Are you ready to to the LED illuminate door handle mod from the Escalades?

let me know... I'm wanting someone to try and get it done!
 
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hosseface

hosseface

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nice work sir!

Are you ready to to the LED illuminate door handle mod from the Escalades?

let me know... I'm wanting someone to try and get it done!

Funny you mention that... I was just thinking about that earlier tonight.

My next mod is the tow hooks. The lower fascia with the holes is finally "supposed" to be in tomorrow. If so, I'm going to get that done ASAP and then maybe I'll move onto the door handles next.
 

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