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I’ve wired some led lights up to the mounting brackets for the running boards and they work fine as extra side markers and light up the step at night. I was wondering if anyone knew a way to make them work as turn signals as well? Without having to buy a “big rig” kit or install more lights. Possibly a relay? Or is there a spot in the wiring of the truck that I can splice into for this? Any help is greatly appreciated. Btw I have a 2010 Supercrew Xlt
Let me know if you happen to figure it out, me and my buddy have been wanting to do the same thing with our running board lights but never did find a good solution. Ours currently are just running off a relay that's triggered by the front running lights. I previously had the idea to use the 7-pin trailer connector to do it but couldn't figure out how to get the lights to come on with the running lights yet also flash with the signals (I'm an Ag Engineer, not an Electrical Engineer lol). Even if you could somehow get the signal lights to interrupt the running board lights you'd run into the problem of the brake lights also interrupting it. So probably would be best to tie into the front signals instead. Would love to get it to work though! Upload a pic of your lights!
I’ll get a pic of them tomorrow and post. But yeah mine are currently wired to the trailer lights. They work with the parking lights. And will flash as turn signals if the parking lights aren’t on lol (useless at night) but I really wanna get this to work. I’m sure there’s a way to do it
Hey Harris! I don't have an answer to your question BUT, just noticed you're in Dickson. I'm in White Bluff! Small world Brother. Welcome to the forum. Share a picture of your truck when you get a chance. I'll bet I've seen it around. Not much to do in White Bluff so I spend a fair amount of time in Dickson.
I’ve wired some led lights up to the mounting brackets for the running boards and they work fine as extra side markers and light up the step at night. I was wondering if anyone knew a way to make them work as turn signals as well? Without having to buy a “big rig” kit or install more lights. Possibly a relay? Or is there a spot in the wiring of the truck that I can splice into for this? Any help is greatly appreciated. Btw I have a 2010 Supercrew Xlt
Just a heads up regarding color. You didn't mention the color of the led lights. If they are other than amber, might want to check with your state(s) laws regarding lighting. I live in Iowa and the only color light you can display on the sides of vehicles (while in motion) is amber. Also, if you live in a state that allows colors (other than white, amber and red) in the front, sides and rear of the vehicle (while in motion) and you drive thru a state that does not, you are subject to the laws of the state you are in.
Just a heads up regarding color. You didn't mention the color of the led lights. If they are other than amber, might want to check with your state(s) laws regarding lighting. I live in Iowa and the only color light you can display on the sides of vehicles (while in motion) is amber. Also, if you live in a state that allows colors (other than white, amber and red) in the front, sides and rear of the vehicle (while in motion) and you drive thru a state that does not, you are subject to the laws of the state you are in.
Hey Harris! I don't have an answer to your question BUT, just noticed you're in Dickson. I'm in White Bluff! Small world Brother. Welcome to the forum. Share a picture of your truck when you get a chance. I'll bet I've seen it around. Not much to do in White Bluff so I spend a fair amount of time in Dickson.
Thanks Mike! Yeah small world for sure haha here’s my truck
So after a little bit of brainstorming I think I have a partial solution. It's a little bulky since it would require two relays per side but it might be workable. So start with a relay that is triggered by the parking lights that provides 12V from the battery to the running board lights when the parking lights are on. Then add a second relay "downwind" of the first that is triggered by the 12V from the signal wire but reverse it so that it's normally closed and the 12V causes it the relay to open. I believe this way your running board lights will flash with the signal but only if the parking lights are on first. Another downside is that your running board lights will flash opposite your signals, when the signal is on the running board light will be off and vice verse. Not sure how you'd get them to sync up without a more complicated circuit. I'm not really good with electrical diagrams and circuits but it seems like it would work on paper. Anyone who knows more about this than I do can surely come up with a more elegant solution haha.
So after a little bit of brainstorming I think I have a partial solution. It's a little bulky since it would require two relays per side but it might be workable. So start with a relay that is triggered by the parking lights that provides 12V from the battery to the running board lights when the parking lights are on. Then add a second relay "downwind" of the first that is triggered by the 12V from the signal wire but reverse it so that it's normally closed and the 12V causes it the relay to open. I believe this way your running board lights will flash with the signal but only if the parking lights are on first. Another downside is that your running board lights will flash opposite your signals, when the signal is on the running board light will be off and vice verse. Not sure how you'd get them to sync up without a more complicated circuit. I'm not really good with electrical diagrams and circuits but it seems like it would work on paper. Anyone who knows more about this than I do can surely come up with a more elegant solution haha.
Haha thanks man. But yeah I believe that would work. I wonder how the trucks wiring is for the front turn signals. Because I would copy that to make my lights work in sync with all other lights. But if that’s the only way I can do it then so be it lol if they flash opposite my signal, maybe some people will pay more attention to where I’m going haha
I’ve done some research into relays and found that it’s possible with the use of a 5 pin relay. I actually found a video where a guy demonstrates it and shows the wiring.
07-12-2018, 01:51 AM
Running board lights
