Pros And Cons Of Adding An LED Light To Your Custom Grille
When you're having a custom grille built for your truck, you may have been offered the option to add LED lights. There are many great reasons to add LED lights to your custom grille. Yet, it comes with several drawbacks.
When it comes to custom grille add-ons, some are must-haves while others are simply nice to have. Some truck owners may feel the need to have LED lights on their grille, while others can do without them.
If you're not sure whether adding LED lights to your custom grille is a good idea, you came to the right place. In this guide, we'll help you weigh the pros and cons of having LED lights on your custom grille.
The Pros Of Having LED Lights On Your Custom Grille
There are many great reasons to add LED lights to your grille. The best ones are:
1. Better Visibility
Do you live in an area that has low visibility often? For example, the foggy Pacific Northwest? If so, you know how difficult it can be to see other cars and animals on the road. That's why LED lights on the grille are a great idea. They can serve as daytime running lights that will:
- Help other cars see your truck better as you approach them
- Help you see other cars and animals on the road
Obviously, LED grille lights will also serve you well at night. If you live in a rural area and drive at night often, you'll appreciate LED lights built into your custom grille. On dark roads with lots of twists and turns, these lights can be a great safety aid. For example, they'll help you detect animals before they become hazardous to your truck.
2. Unique Style
When you have LED lights on your custom grille, people will notice of it immediately. Most people would agree that LED lights look awesome on truck grilles. They really make a statement about who you are as a person and what type of driver you are.
3. More Off-Road Safety
When you drive off road, your standard headlights will likely not be bright enough. You need headlights that will provide enough visibility. This is important while off roading. There are many obstacles on the trail, such as branches, rocks, and animals.
That's why having LED lights on your grille is perfect for off roading. They are bright enough to give you the visibility that other lights lack. They're also durable enough to withstand rugged terrain.
The Cons Of Having LED Lights On Your Custom Grille
This list outlines some of the reasons why people choose not to have LED lights on their custom grilles:
1. Possible Electrical Issues
If any part of a circuit overheats and fails, it can cause a fire. It's really important to use quality lights, and quality wiring.
You don't need to worry about this issue if you order a custom grille with high quality LED lights built in, though. The best lights for grilles are the ones that come with built-in safeguards to protect your truck.
2. Wiring And Installation
Removing a stock grille is pretty easy. For example, if you have a GMC Sierra or a Chevy Silverado, all you need to do is:
- Remove the top plastic cover
- Loosen the bumper fascia (on certain trucks)
- Remove the grille
Installing a custom grille without LED lights is basically the same process as the grille removal process, only in reverse. Installing a custom grille with built-in LED lights, however, is a little more complicated. There's some wiring involved. Depending on your mechanical know-how, this could be a deal breaker for you.
If you order a high quality custom grille with LED lights (like Royalty Core grilles), you will get a detailed set of instructions. Or you could have an experienced technician install the grille and wire the LED lights for you.
3. LED Light Laws
Each local jurisdiction has a specific set of LED light laws. Depending on where you live, LED lights on your grille may be illegal. In some areas, you can't have LED lights on the front of your truck that aren't white or amber colored. It's a good idea to research the LED light laws in your area before adding LED lights to your custom grille.
This post has more information about LED light laws.