so since there seems to be some interest in this relatively easy modification ill go ahead and show you guys how to turn your stock headlights into something a little bit nicer
proceed at your own risk.
first what you are going to need.
two LED strips. any color. but be warned blue and red are illegal.
i bought mine off of eBay for around 6$
3M double side adhesive.
and a Flat head screw driver.
Sharp knife, or razor blade
Wire, and some form of connection point, *anything going to the battery* or you can just make your own like I did.
and a switch.
THIS IS JUST A HOW TO, FOR ATTACHING YOUR LED STRIP TO THE HEADLIGHTS, you can hook it to the battery, and switch how ever you want. I will provide options below.
Step 1. order and receive your LED strips.
essentially this is what you are looking for.
2x 24 LED strip white
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Its best to prepare the light first. This is where you will be needing your 3m adhesive tape.
the black with red film is what I have been using, and have had these lights in for nearly a month with out problem.
apply the tape to the back of the lights, *not the sides*.
from there your going to want to trim the tape accordingly using a knife, either a pocket knife or razor blade.
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Remove the under light molding, and corner light.
the under molding simply pulls away, and the corner light you may have to get the flathead back out to pop the metal holding it in place, its simple, put the screw drive into the ring at the end of the piece of metal, and move it around untill it unhinges. once thats done simply let your corner light hang there.
Now your going to want to pop off your lenses cover, on an 850 its easy, simply remove the black clips with your flat head.
*adjust for your style Volvo*
should be 3 on top, 3 on bottom, and one on each side.
- black clips
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now that your lenses is off,
Take the red film side of the tape off, relieving the sticky side, carefully place on the bottom part of your headlights as shown below. *this is recommended but you can really put them where ever you want*
I centered mine and made it flush with the inwards shelf of the headlights.
- lights
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Now that you have it on, its almost done.
notice how the cord goes, there should be a small piece that dips down, simply allow the cord enough slack so when you put your lenses back on tight it doesn't pull the lights off, and ensure it goes thru.
from here you can go ahead and put your lenses back on if you want, if not its fine just make sure you do it when you get done with the rest of the steps.
Step six.
with the corner light still out, take the wire and push it threw the space between the headlight housing and the finder, you should be able to see your battery if you look through where im talking about.
this will conceal your wire completely.
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from here it is up to you, connect your lights to what ever you wish.
some options are.
If you have done the side-marker modification this will be easy for you. simply plug the lights into the same wires you are currently using off of your corner lights.
run a switch to the cab, and battery, so that you can operate them when you want them to be on. *like I have mine currently*
run them off your fog lights if you have them,
once I get some fogs, I plan on doing this step, just because it would look real nice.
anyway that you can get them to run off your battery, without killing it, will work. aka using a switch.
WARNING!!!! do not use as driving lights for night time, they are not THAT bright. lol<<<<<<<>>><
Here are some photos of what the finished product looks like.
I have some in blue aswell, I decided to swap to the white, since blue is illegal.
Photos.
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these are back when I had blue..
those you could use for driving lights because they were that bright.
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I would love to see what you guys can do with these besides where I have put them.
I have a few projects in mind, and have actually *brightened* up my interior rather nicely with some green ones, so if anyone decides to do this, please post some photos.
and as always, any questions please feel free to ask.
