Color changing ambient lighting using Ford OEM parts

[khsonic03]

Finally wrapped this project up. Did things a little different for the cubby.

Also included some pics of how I ran the wire for the back seats.

Easiest approach for the rear wires is take the 4 seat bolts out and tip it back, then run the wires out the inboard front seat bolt area. When reassembling just be careful not to pinch the wire in there.

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[Bronco907]

About to order my front two foot wells lights. Not doing the back seats. 2 door does not really need it. My seats are flat most of the time anyways. I read through all 15 pages, but still unsure if anyone found an easier cup holder swap?

 

[JHForman812]

The OP of this thread sent me his cup holder, I compared it to the 25 different cup holders I have, nothing matched better than what is currently being used.

 

[buffhorse]

Edit this is my experience for my vehicle I cannot guarantee results for your vehicle proceed at your own risk!
Ok first attempt at trying this so I hope you can follow along.

I set out to put the color change ambient lighting in my bronco but did not want an aftermarket setup(yes aftermarket would have cheaper by far)

so I started in forscan in the plain English apim. By changing the ambient lighting type to pantatone and write that gets you the color selection screen

I also found a thread on an f150 thread that said to change a line in the as built apim as just changing the plain English does not let you actually use the options on the color change screen.

That seemed to do the trick so I then ordered some led’s from ford. Here is the list I found and what I ordered.

After a month the first two lights showed up. The drivers side was a simple swap with just having to shave off two guide nubs so it would plug in.

The passenger side factory light has a female end vs the male. I did not get pictures but I swapped the ends so I could plug it in. In the parts list the passenger footwell light may have the correct end but I ordered these particular lights because thewere the identical size/shape for our factory holders.

Once this all worked one of my sons asked are you going to put them back here for us in the back seat too. Well then I looked under the seats.

I’ll be darned if ford didn’t put a rectangle hole the size of the ambient lights built into the plastic under the seat.

I then remembered a post on the ford truck enthusiast forum of a member making and selling ambient light harnesses for the superduty and offering cup holder setups as well. I got in touch with @JHForman812 to make me a harness for the lights under the seats and the cup holders.

After much discussion and measurements he found a cup holder assy that he thought would work.

This part of the project is not for the faint of heart. The cup holder is not a drop in replacement. Many things had to be trimmed on both the underside of the console and on the new cup holder. All 6 mounting posts on the console had to be shortened by 1/4” or more but it was a slow trim test process. I did not get get pics of my cutting the console up. It was tedious to get it to look good. Maybe an hour and a half of work. The cup holder comes with everything except the led’s. The harness guy supplied them as well so I do not have part numbers for the leds themselves. After I received everything it was just a matter of plugging the harness into to where the drivers side light is connected. This harnes extends out from the driver side ambient light connection. Then removing the console and running the wire extensions from the drivers side ambient light under the dash thru the console and then down under the seats. The under seat leds will fit in the rectangle holes without any trimming and if you press firmly will stay. If you want a completely flush fit under the seats minor trimming is needed to the seat plastic. Then you have ambient lights that change color in five locations.

because I added the under seat lights and cupholder lights I’m in this project for near $300. I ended up ordering two seats of the under seat lights. I don’t see a difference from left to right so a guy could order 4 of one and be okay. But it’s all factory led controlled through sync and looks factory. If a guy got the connectors and made his own harness he could probably trim costs down quite a bit.

Edit I forgot a couple pics drivers side led and connector

passenger side

Can you please let me know what is the part number or sale listing for the connector you had to use/ switch out, instead of the one that came with the passenger side ambient light harness? Also, is the wiring simple or otherwise can you provide some pointers here? Thank you!

 

[buffhorse]

Edit this is my experience for my vehicle I cannot guarantee results for your vehicle proceed at your own risk!
Ok first attempt at trying this so I hope you can follow along.

I set out to put the color change ambient lighting in my bronco but did not want an aftermarket setup(yes aftermarket would have cheaper by far)

so I started in forscan in the plain English apim. By changing the ambient lighting type to pantatone and write that gets you the color selection screen

I also found a thread on an f150 thread that said to change a line in the as built apim as just changing the plain English does not let you actually use the options on the color change screen.

That seemed to do the trick so I then ordered some led’s from ford. Here is the list I found and what I ordered.

After a month the first two lights showed up. The drivers side was a simple swap with just having to shave off two guide nubs so it would plug in.

The passenger side factory light has a female end vs the male. I did not get pictures but I swapped the ends so I could plug it in. In the parts list the passenger footwell light may have the correct end but I ordered these particular lights because thewere the identical size/shape for our factory holders.

Once this all worked one of my sons asked are you going to put them back here for us in the back seat too. Well then I looked under the seats.

I’ll be darned if ford didn’t put a rectangle hole the size of the ambient lights built into the plastic under the seat.

I then remembered a post on the ford truck enthusiast forum of a member making and selling ambient light harnesses for the superduty and offering cup holder setups as well. I got in touch with @JHForman812 to make me a harness for the lights under the seats and the cup holders.

After much discussion and measurements he found a cup holder assy that he thought would work.

This part of the project is not for the faint of heart. The cup holder is not a drop in replacement. Many things had to be trimmed on both the underside of the console and on the new cup holder. All 6 mounting posts on the console had to be shortened by 1/4” or more but it was a slow trim test process. I did not get get pics of my cutting the console up. It was tedious to get it to look good. Maybe an hour and a half of work. The cup holder comes with everything except the led’s. The harness guy supplied them as well so I do not have part numbers for the leds themselves. After I received everything it was just a matter of plugging the harness into to where the drivers side light is connected. This harnes extends out from the driver side ambient light connection. Then removing the console and running the wire extensions from the drivers side ambient light under the dash thru the console and then down under the seats. The under seat leds will fit in the rectangle holes without any trimming and if you press firmly will stay. If you want a completely flush fit under the seats minor trimming is needed to the seat plastic. Then you have ambient lights that change color in five locations.

because I added the under seat lights and cupholder lights I’m in this project for near $300. I ended up ordering two seats of the under seat lights. I don’t see a difference from left to right so a guy could order 4 of one and be okay. But it’s all factory led controlled through sync and looks factory. If a guy got the connectors and made his own harness he could probably trim costs down quite a bit.

Edit I forgot a couple pics drivers side led and connector

passenger side

Where does the harness come out of from the console to the back seats?

 

[JHForman812]

@BroncoBuckaroo made this video showing the installation

(10) Bronco Rear Footwell Lighting Hack - YouTube

 

[mrmnoon]

2025 Big Bend
Has the ambient coloured lights but they are not very bright.
Are there options for additional lights to be added?

Thanks

 

[cbrenthus]

2015 Big Bend
Has the ambient coloured lights but they are not very bright.
Are there options for additional lights to be added?

Thanks

do the 2025s have colored ambient lighting stock now? And just want to make sure, you know where the ambient lighting dimmer is, correct?

 

[mrmnoon]

Yes, came stock on my 2025 Big Bend.
I have the controls to increase the brightness, but it isn’t as bright as I would like.

 

[‘21OBX]

Where does the harness come out of from the console to the back seats?

It doesn’t until you buy or make a harness for them.

 

[Min_Ahn]

Yes, came stock on my 2025 Big Bend.
I have the controls to increase the brightness, but it isn’t as bright as I would like.

Is it equipped with cupholder lightings? 2025 BRONCO Big Bend - Getting to know the features this guy mentions it at 15:23 and if that’s accurate, I’m planning to swap it out for an OEM part.

 

[mrmnoon]

It doesn’t until you buy or make a harness for them.

Anyone have the part list connectors etc, to make a splitter to add additional lights?
is that possible?

Thanks

 

[RoverDude]

Anyone have the part list connectors etc, to make a splitter to add additional lights?
is that possible?

Thanks

The connection are keyed Molex connectors.

Options:
Male/Female
Keyed (the grove) A or B (the color denotes this). There is also a "c" version (Note used in this application)
X-mas mount or none (is the connector has a slot for mounting)

the Terminal could change depending on you wire gauge used and thickness of insolation

I will upload part number / cutsheet later tonight if I get a chance

Below is what I made that is truly plug and play for from and rear seating:

 

[RoverDude]

Anyone have the part list connectors etc, to make a splitter to add additional lights?
is that possible?

Thanks

See below, Should have all the information you need
The only difference between the "New" ambient color modules is the length of the wire, which is about 2" (and color of tape).
I would select the cheaper of the 2 if I did it again.

The Terminals come in a few couple form factors as well. I would choose what is most cost effective. (Order more for if / when you have a crimp that is poor)

You can get the Molex items from Mouser or similar websites.

 

[‘21OBX]

Is it equipped with cupholder lightings? 2025 BRONCO Big Bend - Getting to know the features this guy mentions it at 15:23 and if that’s accurate, I’m planning to swap it out for an OEM part.

That’s new and the same screen all this accomplishes that I did years ago. Why ford didn’t just do it to begin with . I do not see the lights in the cupholders in the video. We got to find someone with a ‘25 and see if it’s true.

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