TL sidekirts / Puddle Light DIY

evan03CL · 03-23-2009, 1:39 PM

Hey guys,

So I'm finally getting around to doing these TL side skirts to permanent (right) way. I had just been getting bogged down with law shit, but I'm gonna bust these out right before I have to crawl under a rock to study for finals. So here's my DIY for TL side skirts, and also for installing puddle lights.

Just a little FYI...puddle lights are NOT underbody neon, street glow, etc. They are lights that turn on and off with your interior dome or courtesy lights in order to light the area around the door when entering and exiting at night.

There are universal puddle lights I found out there, but they looked more for sedans, had about 4 bubbles of LEDs for under each side of the car, and i've seen them on the TL's they looked pretty good, but I didn't want anything too "in your face" so i tracked down these late 90's range rover puddle lights, two for each side. And I'm putting them in the side skirts. They'll clip right into the skirts instead of gluing them underneath and having the wires exposed underneath.

So this might not be what you would do, or what you did, or what you think i should have done...but here we go!

Skirts

its tough to see, but thats the TL skirt layed over the CL side skirts. Earlier guys cut it in the middle, and then connected it. I however just trimmed one side of it, then reattached the end piece. It seemed more stable and less noticeable than cutting it in the middle.

Make sure you sand down the side skirts (both) in order to provide the most bonding surfaces possible.

Then just mix up some epoxy/resin and then just mix some fiber glass into it

Here's another picture, the bottom lines up well enough so you don't have to trim that piece

now..I got some knock off fiberglass TL skirts, so they didn't have all the stock mounting equipment inside of it. That actually helped a lot because I didn't have to cut it all out of there

I finally found a good use for my law books!

Puddle lights

Now you can mark the area for your puddle lights

now cut the TL skirt

the range rover snaps in like factory

now just cut the CL skirt too, so the puddle lamp can fit in all the way

Now it looks factory (minus all the dust, no paint, etc.)

more pics and instructions to come!

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GRNMCHN03cl · 03-23-2009, 2:48 PM

Nice write up bro look forward to the end result

02CLNOS · 03-23-2009, 4:37 PM

looks good so far, hook that shit up!

Onese1f · 03-23-2009, 4:52 PM

Lmao! Are those Torts books?!

evan03CL · 03-23-2009, 6:31 PM

hah the first two are con law and evidence i believe.

civicdrivr · 03-23-2009, 8:57 PM

Id love to see it at night. Are you going to have them hooked up to a switch or wired into the door lights?

evan03CL · 03-23-2009, 10:36 PM

I'm going to wire them to the dome wires. That way when I hit the unlock on my key chain, or get out of my car they will be lit. should be cool lookin. and serve some purpose. more updates tomorrow

NoLimitDeC · 03-24-2009, 2:07 AM

are the puddle lights gonna be halogen or LEDs? great write up, even us TL guys can learn from this!

but just so you know.. UF Gators are most def. FTL, GA Dawgs are where its at!!

nf3d0149ab · 03-24-2009, 1:23 PM

Appreciate the DIY write-up.

Can't wait to see the future updates.

jaysizzlecity · 03-24-2009, 5:04 PM

Wow..........

evan03CL · 03-24-2009, 8:50 PM

Alright guys,

so on and off working, i've now got them all set, and I am just sanding and feathering them in at this point. I've got them pretty smooth, I'm working down in sand grit, currently at 300 grit after priming them, and they should be painted tomorrow.

Here are some pics showing the new side skirts (TL molded over CL) and primed/sanded

nf3d0149ab · 03-24-2009, 10:46 PM

**97BlackAckCL** · 03-26-2009, 2:31 PM

Nice project, can't wait to see the finished product

evan03CL · 03-29-2009, 10:52 AM

So the side skirts are finally done. The puddle light wiring is ready to go, I just haven't actually wired them in yet as you can see from these pictures:

I had to dremel a small cut into the side skirts to run the wires up, and once I figure out 100% how/where I want to wire these things I'll tuck them up and hide them better of course.

you can see the puddle lamps in this picture

they sit really nice and flush underneath the skirt and are only visible if you go up and look at a low angle at the car

and here's a picture of the sideskirts done

working on wiring today...

remikinz · 03-29-2009, 11:21 AM

I want to do this so bad. im really interested in the wiring

*subscribed*

nf3d0149ab · 03-29-2009, 1:01 PM

Nice update Evan!

Coming together.

jaysizzlecity · 03-29-2009, 2:10 PM

Yeah keep up the good work........

badeh2 · 03-29-2009, 4:12 PM

Good stuff!! So these sides are from ebay, the fiberglass ones? I thought fiberglass could not be cut and stuck back together?

Alperovich · 03-29-2009, 4:16 PM

night shots please, those look hawt!!

slvrdrgn123 · 03-29-2009, 4:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badeh2

Good stuff!! So these sides are from ebay, the fiberglass ones? I thought fiberglass could not be cut and stuck back together?

He didn't. He just trimmed off one end.

evan03CL · 03-29-2009, 5:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slvrdrgn123

He didn't. He just trimmed off one end.

yea...but i don't see why it couldn't? it cuts clean with the dremel...and you could just refiber glass it and mold it back together. cutting it in the middle and molding the two ends together seemed like too much of a hassle as opposed to trimming off a little bit of the end, then remolding the end piece onto the skirt.

thanks for the comments guys

richardparker · 03-29-2009, 6:14 PM

Skirts look awesome,great job.How many hours you got in the install?

Flipster23 · 03-31-2009, 2:08 AM

evan03CL · 04-05-2009, 6:48 PM

Alright guys.....Puddle Lamps ARE DONE!!

I'll give a picture by picture ending write up...

First I braided the wire together with electrical tape just to make it look pretty and so it wasn't sagging all over the place under the dash...

(disregard the dirty car)

Made sure it was long enough to reach from the drivers side to the passengers side where the power will be

I hid the wires through the dash and the bottom dash pieces and took off the runner board

Boom. you can still see a LITTLE wire peaking out. but it's hardly noticeable.

Then i brought the wires up to the A pillar

Now you have to wire them into this wire

The BLACK/WHITE wire in the a pillar

The black/white is the GROUND for the dome light when the doors and open/locked, etc.

The Blue/white is the POWER for the dome light. it's always running. but DONT tap into this, because you'll blow a fuse (personal experience)

Instead, tap into a fuse that's always on regardless of the car's power being on. (I used the memory seat (slider))

Next I hid the wires to the passenger side skirt

GREAT SUCCESS! AMERICA NUMBER ONE!!

(Night pictures to follow...)

nf3d0149ab · 04-05-2009, 7:24 PM

Right on man!

02CLNOS · 04-06-2009, 1:27 PM

grate job

give us some night Pict's!

**97BlackAckCL** · 04-06-2009, 4:06 PM

Nice work, so you tapped off the relay that turns the dome on and off?

evan03CL · 04-06-2009, 8:55 PM

NIGHT SHOTS!

I really suck at nighttime photos (really photos in general) but you get the idea.

I am going to put LEDs in them you can see the difference in the second shot, I had one LED bulb sitting around so i tried it out. And yea, they go on and off and fade in and out with the dome light. as the doors are locked, unlocked, opened/shut.

TypeStylinOnU · 04-06-2009, 10:12 PM

sorry i dont get the point of those lights....looks like fast and furious underglow

evan03CL · 04-06-2009, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TypeStylinOnU

sorry i dont get the point of those lights....looks like fast and furious underglow

have you read the entire thread or just looked at the pictures? haha, refer to my first post on the thread which describes the purpose/function of these lights

nf3d0149ab · 04-06-2009, 11:10 PM

Wow...

Flipster23 · 04-06-2009, 11:17 PM

sick dude have to get mine done

jaysizzlecity · 04-07-2009, 12:33 PM

Yo that's hot.........

02CLNOS · 04-07-2009, 2:20 PM

awesome job dude, stick with the blue/white led's

TypeStylinOnU · 04-07-2009, 5:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evan03CL

have you read the entire thread or just looked at the pictures? haha, refer to my first post on the thread which describes the purpose/function of these lights

lol i didnt read itb4, but i read it now...and i still dont get it? they guide you, so that your foot doesnt hit the side lol.

do they turn on with the keyless entry switch?

BIGBOOMER77 · 04-11-2009, 1:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TypeStylinOnU

lol i didnt read itb4, but i read it now...and i still dont get it? they guide you, so that your foot doesnt hit the side lol.

do they turn on with the keyless entry switch?

PUDDLE light man PUDDLE.....

TypeStylinOnU · 04-11-2009, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIGBOOMER77

PUDDLE light man PUDDLE.....

oh so if theres a puddle at the side of your car u can see it and step over it...wikid

03-23-2009, 2:48 PM	#2
GRNMCHN03cl Registered User Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: albuquerque, NM Age: 24 Posts: 208	Nice write up bro look forward to the end result __________________ - 2003 Noble Green Pearl CL http://www.myspace.com/skateralian

03-23-2009, 4:52 PM	#4
Onese1f Is a chargin mah lazar in Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Age: 21 Posts: 911	Lmao! Are those Torts books?! __________________ I was lost, and I'm still lost, but I feel so much better..

03-23-2009, 6:31 PM	#5
evan03CL Wait...I just blacked out 2003 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gainesville Florida Age: 24 Posts: 588	hah the first two are con law and evidence i believe. __________________ University of Florida: Levin College of Law c/o 2010

03-23-2009, 8:57 PM	#6
civicdrivr LETSSSSSS PARTYYYY!!!!!!! 2003 Acura CL Trader Rating: (4) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: VA Age: 21 Posts: 5,249	Id love to see it at night. Are you going to have them hooked up to a switch or wired into the door lights? __________________ FOR SALE- Brand New 01-03 CL ViS Carbon Fiber Hood - $400!!! Here My Build Thread Here

03-23-2009, 10:36 PM	#7
evan03CL Wait...I just blacked out 2003 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gainesville Florida Age: 24 Posts: 588	I'm going to wire them to the dome wires. That way when I hit the unlock on my key chain, or get out of my car they will be lit. should be cool lookin. and serve some purpose. more updates tomorrow __________________ University of Florida: Levin College of Law c/o 2010

03-23-2009, 4:37 PM	#3
02CLNOS Registered User Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maryland Age: 27 Posts: 602	looks good so far, hook that shit up!

03-24-2009, 2:07 AM	#8
NoLimitDeC DESI miern Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Atlanta, GA Age: 21 Posts: 884	are the puddle lights gonna be halogen or LEDs? great write up, even us TL guys can learn from this! but just so you know.. UF Gators are most def. FTL, GA Dawgs are where its at!! __________________ Amish - 1999 SSM TL -> 2005 e46 M3 Ajay - 1999 SSM TL -> 2009 e92 M3 Nimesh - e39 540i -> 2003 NBP TL : Comptech Icebox : 19" ADR S07-r Gloss Black : A-Spec Style Grille : Blue Map/Dome/Door/Trunk LEDs : White License Plate LED : Red LED Rear Turn Signals : Resonator Removed : 3.5" Exhaust Tips : 20% tint

03-24-2009, 1:23 PM	#9
nf3d0149ab Luvs his Custom LED Tails 2001 Acura CL Trader Rating: (3) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Francisco Age: 26 Posts: 8,562	Appreciate the DIY write-up. Can't wait to see the future updates. __________________ 01 CL Type S Silver Satin Metallic Cosmetic 6500k HID+VIS CF Hood+03 Heads+Custom LED Tails+Custom Grille+Momo+System Performance Comptech Headers+Comptech Icebox+Comptech Exhaust Wheels/Suspension 18" MRR GT1+R1 Rotors+Cusco Strut Bar+Tein SS-P+EDFC

03-24-2009, 5:04 PM	#10
jaysizzlecity B A N N E D Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: southside jamaica queens 130ave Posts: 875	Wow..........

03-24-2009, 8:50 PM	#11
evan03CL Wait...I just blacked out 2003 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gainesville Florida Age: 24 Posts: 588	update #2 Alright guys, so on and off working, i've now got them all set, and I am just sanding and feathering them in at this point. I've got them pretty smooth, I'm working down in sand grit, currently at 300 grit after priming them, and they should be painted tomorrow. Here are some pics showing the new side skirts (TL molded over CL) and primed/sanded __________________ University of Florida: Levin College of Law c/o 2010

03-24-2009, 10:46 PM	#12
nf3d0149ab Luvs his Custom LED Tails 2001 Acura CL Trader Rating: (3) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Francisco Age: 26 Posts: 8,562	__________________ 01 CL Type S Silver Satin Metallic Cosmetic 6500k HID+VIS CF Hood+03 Heads+Custom LED Tails+Custom Grille+Momo+System Performance Comptech Headers+Comptech Icebox+Comptech Exhaust Wheels/Suspension 18" MRR GT1+R1 Rotors+Cusco Strut Bar+Tein SS-P+EDFC

03-26-2009, 2:31 PM	#13
97BlackAckCL Moderator 1997 Acura CL My Garage Trader Rating: (3) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ShitsBurgh Age: 28 Posts: 38,634	Nice project, can't wait to see the finished product

03-29-2009, 10:52 AM	#14
evan03CL Wait...I just blacked out 2003 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gainesville Florida Age: 24 Posts: 588	updated #3 So the side skirts are finally done. The puddle light wiring is ready to go, I just haven't actually wired them in yet as you can see from these pictures: I had to dremel a small cut into the side skirts to run the wires up, and once I figure out 100% how/where I want to wire these things I'll tuck them up and hide them better of course. you can see the puddle lamps in this picture they sit really nice and flush underneath the skirt and are only visible if you go up and look at a low angle at the car and here's a picture of the sideskirts done working on wiring today... __________________ University of Florida: Levin College of Law c/o 2010

03-29-2009, 11:21 AM	#15
remikinz is Flying in her g8 GT Trader Rating: (2) Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Massapequa, NY Age: 22 Posts: 1,254	I want to do this so bad. im really interested in the wiring subscribed __________________ '08 PONTiAC G8 GT [check out my cardomain] 1999 Acura 3.2TL - sold ______________________________

03-29-2009, 1:01 PM	#16
nf3d0149ab Luvs his Custom LED Tails 2001 Acura CL Trader Rating: (3) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Francisco Age: 26 Posts: 8,562	Nice update Evan! Coming together. __________________ 01 CL Type S Silver Satin Metallic Cosmetic 6500k HID+VIS CF Hood+03 Heads+Custom LED Tails+Custom Grille+Momo+System Performance Comptech Headers+Comptech Icebox+Comptech Exhaust Wheels/Suspension 18" MRR GT1+R1 Rotors+Cusco Strut Bar+Tein SS-P+EDFC

03-29-2009, 2:10 PM	#17
jaysizzlecity B A N N E D Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: southside jamaica queens 130ave Posts: 875	Yeah keep up the good work........

03-29-2009, 4:12 PM	#18
badeh2 Registered Member Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fairfax, Virginia Age: 22 Posts: 714	Good stuff!! So these sides are from ebay, the fiberglass ones? I thought fiberglass could not be cut and stuck back together?

03-29-2009, 4:16 PM	#19
Alperovich 6spder 1994 Acura Legend My Garage Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Highland Park, IL Age: 24 Posts: 1,467	night shots please, those look hawt!! __________________ 99 CL 5MT daily beater \| 03 CL-S Steering wheel \| Legend TypeII Dual Piston Caliper's \| Alpine HU \| JDM F23A 94 Legend coupe 6MT 205whp/189wtq Past: 90 T4R 5MT\| 94 Legend GS \| 93 Legend coupe 6MT track whore (wrecked) \| 02 Durango \| 89 Prelude 4WS 5MT

03-29-2009, 6:14 PM	#22
richardparker Registered Member 2001 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,283	Skirts look awesome,great job.How many hours you got in the install?

03-31-2009, 2:08 AM	#23
Flipster23 Paddle shifting down belo 2003 Acura TL Trader Rating: (13) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Elk Grove, Ca/ Palmdale, CA Age: 20 Posts: 7,579	__________________ CarDomain

04-05-2009, 6:48 PM	#24
evan03CL Wait...I just blacked out 2003 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gainesville Florida Age: 24 Posts: 588	Done! Alright guys.....Puddle Lamps ARE DONE!! I'll give a picture by picture ending write up... First I braided the wire together with electrical tape just to make it look pretty and so it wasn't sagging all over the place under the dash... (disregard the dirty car) Made sure it was long enough to reach from the drivers side to the passengers side where the power will be I hid the wires through the dash and the bottom dash pieces and took off the runner board Boom. you can still see a LITTLE wire peaking out. but it's hardly noticeable. Then i brought the wires up to the A pillar Now you have to wire them into this wire The BLACK/WHITE wire in the a pillar The black/white is the GROUND for the dome light when the doors and open/locked, etc. The Blue/white is the POWER for the dome light. it's always running. but DONT tap into this, because you'll blow a fuse (personal experience) Instead, tap into a fuse that's always on regardless of the car's power being on. (I used the memory seat (slider)) Next I hid the wires to the passenger side skirt GREAT SUCCESS! AMERICA NUMBER ONE!! (Night pictures to follow...) __________________ University of Florida: Levin College of Law c/o 2010

04-05-2009, 7:24 PM	#25
nf3d0149ab Luvs his Custom LED Tails 2001 Acura CL Trader Rating: (3) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Francisco Age: 26 Posts: 8,562	Right on man! __________________ 01 CL Type S Silver Satin Metallic Cosmetic 6500k HID+VIS CF Hood+03 Heads+Custom LED Tails+Custom Grille+Momo+System Performance Comptech Headers+Comptech Icebox+Comptech Exhaust Wheels/Suspension 18" MRR GT1+R1 Rotors+Cusco Strut Bar+Tein SS-P+EDFC

04-06-2009, 1:27 PM	#26
02CLNOS Registered User Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maryland Age: 27 Posts: 602	grate job give us some night Pict's!

04-06-2009, 4:06 PM	#27
97BlackAckCL Moderator 1997 Acura CL My Garage Trader Rating: (3) Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ShitsBurgh Age: 28 Posts: 38,634	Nice work, so you tapped off the relay that turns the dome on and off?

04-06-2009, 8:55 PM	#28
evan03CL Wait...I just blacked out 2003 Acura CL Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Gainesville Florida Age: 24 Posts: 588	NIGHT SHOTS! I really suck at nighttime photos (really photos in general) but you get the idea. I am going to put LEDs in them you can see the difference in the second shot, I had one LED bulb sitting around so i tried it out. And yea, they go on and off and fade in and out with the dome light. as the doors are locked, unlocked, opened/shut. __________________ University of Florida: Levin College of Law c/o 2010 Last edited by evan03CL; 04-06-2009 at 8:55 PM. Reason: wrong link for the second picture

04-06-2009, 10:12 PM	#29
TypeStylinOnU CHOP SHOP Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: GTA, Sauga Age: 24 Posts: 1,079	sorry i dont get the point of those lights....looks like fast and furious underglow __________________ 01 CL-S (sold) 97 EK (current :) )

04-06-2009, 11:10 PM	#31
nf3d0149ab Luvs his Custom LED Tails 2001 Acura CL Trader Rating: (3) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Francisco Age: 26 Posts: 8,562	Wow... __________________ 01 CL Type S Silver Satin Metallic Cosmetic 6500k HID+VIS CF Hood+03 Heads+Custom LED Tails+Custom Grille+Momo+System Performance Comptech Headers+Comptech Icebox+Comptech Exhaust Wheels/Suspension 18" MRR GT1+R1 Rotors+Cusco Strut Bar+Tein SS-P+EDFC

04-06-2009, 11:17 PM	#32
Flipster23 Paddle shifting down belo 2003 Acura TL Trader Rating: (13) Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Elk Grove, Ca/ Palmdale, CA Age: 20 Posts: 7,579	sick dude have to get mine done __________________ CarDomain

04-07-2009, 12:33 PM	#33
jaysizzlecity B A N N E D Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: southside jamaica queens 130ave Posts: 875	Yo that's hot.........

04-07-2009, 2:20 PM	#34
02CLNOS Registered User Trader Rating: (0) Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maryland Age: 27 Posts: 602	awesome job dude, stick with the blue/white led's