Backlit Front Grille - Submitted by Doohickie Materials: (2) 1156 lamp sockets (got them for free at a junkyard) Connection wire (I used 18 gage, about 6 feet) Plastic conduit (about 6 feet) (3) Pairs of crimp-on spade & socket connectors (2) Crimp-on lugs for attaching ground wires to body at attachment bolts (2) Brackets made from galvanized gutter guard mesh The backlit grill is a very easy mod, especially for those familiar with wiring mods. I went to a junkyard and picked up a couple 1156 sockets. These are most commonly used for backup lights and single filament turn signal lights. I got the power from the left hand side marker light. On 04 & up XDs, this light can be released by reaching up from under the corner of the bumper and pressing the release at the forward end of the light. There are several ways to tap into the hot wire of the marker light; I did it by unplugging the connector from the marker light, removing the retaining clip, releasing the pin by inserting a very small screwdriver from the grommet side to release the pin and push the pin out. Once out, I pried apart the crimp holding the grommet and wire insulation, pushed the new, unstripped wire through the grommet, stripped the wire about 1/4 inch or so, and wrapped it around the pin. A real pro (not me) would solder this joint, but I'm too lazy. I pulled the grommet back into place and closed the crimp over the grommet and insulation of both the old and new wires, then reassembled the connector and reconnected everything. (This is the method I use in general when tapping into existing wiring; it puts the joint in a spot protected from weather and can be restored to stock configuration.) Before going further, it's a good idea to remove the radiator shroud and grill. I won't give specific directions for those, except to say that you have to remove all the plastic screw-fasteners from the shroud and it comes right off, and that there are five screws around the perimeter of the grill (each corner and bottom middle). I ran the wire inside plastic conduit and threaded the conduit along the inside of the metal bumper around to the grill area. It's a little tough poking the conduit through the bumper bracket, but it doesn't take long using trial and error. I used the same galvanized mesh from the grill mod (gutter guard from a home improvement store) to fab some quick brackets and attached the sockets to the bolts that hold the plastic trim pieces on either side of the radiator behind the bumper. I used tin snips to cut the brackets and the holes; I think scissors will do the job but it kind of abuses them. The sockets are grounded on the mounting bolts and the hot side is connected to the wire from the marker light run through the bumper. The 1156 bulb is pretty bright at 27 watts and can be seen even with the headlights on. In the pics of the backlit grill, notice the "eyeliner" effect where the edge of the headlight fixture lights up from the backlights. The bulbs are positioned behind that body-colored piece between the headlights and the grill. Click here to discuss this Do It Yourself Guide.

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