I was thinking today, it would be a neat mod to put some LEDs underneath the door handles on the outside of the truck so that when I disarm my alarm they light up so I can see the door handles. I know this mod is nothing really than a gimmick, but still I thought it would be cool. I figured I might do this at the same time when I remove my door handles to paint them matching body color (sonic blue)

Anyone have any feedback on tips or anything that might make this idea easier? I know there is enough room to run the wires inside because you can see sunlight pass through here when you take off the door panel on the inside.

Of course the lights would be hidden behind the door handle. It would be tackey if you can see them with the naked eye.

 

That would be pretty sweet. Like maybe you could wire it into the dome light. So when you hit the unlock button (if you have a key fob) the door handles light up. Atleast I think thats what happens... don't know if the dome light comes on or not as I don't have a key fob or dome light as of right now. lol

Good idea tho! I want to see how it turns out!

 

I don't have power locks (or power windows)

I did install a viper alarm (forever ago) and I think it has a "lighted illumination" wire that provides 30 seconds or so of power to whatever lighting you want. This is what I'd use.

 

Ive thought about getting some of those led strips for the door handles like streetglow has but when I looked at the door handles it didnt seem like the wires could be passed into the door with a true weather tight seal without some work put into it. Ill have to keep posted to see how you progress.

 

Dude - I don't know if you know this but your door handles aren't designed with a "weather tight seal" - its a common misconception. I have taken the door panels off of my truck many many times (mainly when I did my dynamatt install, i stripped the entire truck bare)

Try this.

Take the panel off and pull out the sheet of foamy plastic that is there for sound deadening/sealing. Wash your truck and spray the handles from the outside (you don't need to really aim there, it just happens)

Then look inside with a flashlight. There will be some water inside. There is a hole in the bottom of the doors so that the water can drain out onto the rocker and out of the truck. Its perfectly normal.

This is why I had to be careful when I installed my dynamat, I didn't want to cover this hole - otherwise I would have a fishbowl in my door.

Not to mention, water gets in (in small amounts) right through the window seal. Its not a perfect seal, thats why there is a hole at the bottom.



You cant see the hole here, but you can see how naked i've had my doors before.

 

Yep it sure does, just make solid connections with the wires and you'll be fine.

 

That's a lot of Dynamat!

 

Driving around at 45mph is the most quiet experience ever in my truck.

I have 400$ of dynamatt on all of my exterior panels, the inner sheetmetal, and the back of the trim. (3 layers in most places)

I estimate it adds 60 lbs total.

I also just got her undercoated with the 3M rubberized soundproofing 3 weeks ago. I haven't driven her yet because its been in the garage getting de-clustered, but it should even better than before with just the dynamatt.

Next I am going to make custom seals that go under the door and seal from windnoise that sneaks through the door to rocker seal. This should eliminate the highway wind noise some.

If anyone lives close to chicago and wants to hear her (or hear nothing lol) feel free to message me. I can also show you the lightshow =)

I'm sure you guys ask "why do all this to your ranger" lol but I have no "luxury" vehicle. The truck is basically my luxury vehicle because my Evo is like driving a rally car on the street. I have ripped out all the sound deadener in that I can, it has no radio plus the exhaust and intake are insanely loud. Not to mention the suspension can give you a backache (400 lbs/inch adjustable coilover springs on highway 94 lol)

Sorry to get off topic on the thread. =)~

 

I hear ya, can't wait to do my whole stereo setup.

 

I know that the doors are not 100% weather proof. I just want to keep any water from sitting in the doors and leading to rust problems later on if I can avoid it. Dont get me wrong, I think the lights under the door handles is a sweet idea just dont know if it would be worth it to me.

 

How is the water going to go up behind the handles lol? If you're really worried seal the holes with silicone, problem solved!

 

Cars have been like this since forever.

 

Oh I'm not disagreeing with you, I agree with what you said.

 

Good idea! I've thought about adding a little lighting to my truck. Do you already have lights? Pictures?

 

hahah yeah... I have so many lights that i've got lights in my lights..

do some searches for threads i've posted in, there are plentyopics.

 

any progress with this? id love to do this mod!

black truck + pitch black parking lot = me never finding the handle.

 

I have a black truck with black handles and no front porch light, I can find my handles just fine.....and my eyesight sucks at night.

This is a cool idea, though. Let us know what you come up with.

 

Yeah I have the lights, I bought 3 round LED pods with 6 LEDs on each. (left door, right door, liftgate) I haven't done it yet, I'm going to be doing ALOT of bodywork on the truck this week.

Kate: Did you install those L1224R LEDs for your tail lights that I sold you? I want to see some pics!

 

yeah i installed them. they look great! i love em. ill get some pictures as soon as i can!

 

Any updates "Turbo?"

 

I am wondering what part of you truck is not LED?

 

Yes you need to do pictures so I can get more sales! haha.

No I haven't been working on the doorhandle leds because I'm repainting my front end.

 

I want to bring my truck to you to dynamat it! Lol

 

That'd be an excelent idea. Especially since you have a darker color. Red is a little bit easier but in really dark places I have to pull my phone out to get the key in the hole.

 

I have no bulbs left to replace, I even have LEDs in some places where there aren't stock bulbs.