Think of underglow as a light show for your car. The cost for this installation ranges from $100-$600 depending on how many lights you want and what kind of inverter you would like to use.
Underglow lights are attached to the undercarriage of the vehicle and emit a soft, multicolored glow that can be seen from below.
The lights are powered by an inverter that plugs into the car’s 12v socket or cigarette lighter.
For those not familiar with the term, underglows are typically blue lights that are installed in the trunk or behind the grille of a car. I recently tested out two different types of under glow kits for my car.
Depending on what type of underglow you are looking to buy, you will either need to purchase an underbody kit or take your vehicle to a specialty shop.
This particular modification is also known as neon underbody kits.
Things to Consider Before Installing Underglow Lights
Every car owner has a different mindset when it comes to installing underglow lights in their vehicle.
Regardless of the reason, there are a few things that should be kept in mind before installing underglow lights in cars.
- First, you have to determine whether or not the vehicle you are modifying has enough clearance for the lights.
- Next, you have to determine how much power your car can handle. If it is an older vehicle, it may not be able to take on the extra electrical load that underglow lights require.
- It is best to start by looking at the car’s color. Some colors will be more noticeable than others. For instance, if the vehicle is black or dark grey, underglow lights will blend in better than if it were red or light blue.
- The next thing to consider is where you place your lights. If the lights are near the headlights they will look too bright and so should be placed elsewhere.
- What type of light is being installed and how much space is available.
- The lights can help the driver see better on dark roads and drive without headlights, which is illegal in most states. So, think before you install it.
Some install them in place of factory lighting while others simply replace them with new LED bulbs.
Underglows come in various colors such as red, blue, green, yellow, white, orange, purple, pink, etc., depending on which color suits your taste best.
The most popular choice for these types of modifications is clear or translucent plastic tubing because they allow you to see through the tube when driving at night.
Drawbacks of installing Underglow lights in a car
There are some drawbacks to this type of installation.
- If a car has been involved in an accident and its bumper was damaged, then the light will not be able to shine out from beneath the bumper due to damage that may have occurred during the collision.
- In addition, many people do not like having their headlights shining into their eyes while driving down the road. This can cause them to squint and possibly even become distracted by what’s going on around them.
- Another drawback with these types of lights is that they must be installed before your vehicle leaves the factory.
- If you decide later to change or upgrade parts for your vehicle, it could mean replacing all of the existing lighting components as well.
Installation Method of Underglow lights
The most popular method for installing underglow lights is by attaching them to the underside of the vehicle.
There are many different ways that this can be done, but one of the easiest methods is by using Velcro tape and installing it around the perimeter of the headlights.
There are also lights that can be attached with zip ties or industrial glue.
What types of parts are needed to install underglow lights
The first step to a great underglow installation is installing the correct parts.
A typical project will require LED lights, an inverter, a power distribution board with wiring, a wiring harness, a boot tail light, and a pair of under glow lights.
Color selection on all of these is very important for your desired effect.
Final Word
The underglow kits can be a simple way to add style to your car. With many options to choose from, it’s easy to find something that will fit in with your vehicle’s existing design.
They can even help in the event of an accident in the dark!