The Hyundai Santa Fe Underbody LED Modification

Original idea: santamen
Author of procedures: santamen
Installer / Testers: santamen
Parts Supplier: ebay, any auto parts store
Images provided by: santamen

Introduction / History

Adding lights underneath the vehicle can add a unique show car feel and add a personal touch. This guide shows you just one way of doing this.

Disclaimer

  Please Read the disclaimer before proceeding

Difficulty level / scale: On a scale of 1 - 10

Easy   Difficult
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
              X    

Tools and materials needed:

Philips screwdriver
wrench
Drill
Jack and Jack stands
Putty
Electrical tape
Optional:
Dremel tool
Sand paper
dielectric grease

Step 1: Lifting the Santa Fe using a garage (floor) jack..

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While the modification can possibly be performed without jacking up the vehicle, jacking it up will make it much more easier.

Therefore, block the wheel that is at the opposite of the side you are going to lift, by placing a wood block chuck.

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Then place the jack at the appropriate place according to this diagram.

 

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Then jack up the vehicle.

Step 2: Drilling and attachments.

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 		 Go underneath and mark where you want to place the LED Bars 
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Drill at the places you marked.
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Install the bracket that was supplied with the LED bar.
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Screw in the bolt and nut and tightened. This is how it should look like.
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If you have the vehicle on a hydraulic lift or on four jacks stands, then do the same for the other side. Otherwise continue.
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Place the LED bar close by.
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Take the LED bar and clip it inside the bracket.
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The LED bar after its installed on the clips.

Some un-detailed views of the previous steps:

Vehicle on jack stands   Light bar installed   Light bar installed - another view
   

Step 3: Pre-testing.

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 		Attach the power cables to the LED bars and test them before installing the cables.
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Testing the view from beneath (front).
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 		Testing the view from beneath (rear).

Step 4: Preparing the cabin where the cables will run through.

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 		I decided to pass all the wires under the passenger seat (it was the best and easiest place to work). I started by removing the passenger seat. I unbolted the seat in front.

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 		Unbolt the rear bolts of the front passenger seat.
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 		Remove the seat.

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 		At this point, you can elect to remove the carpet to get to the underlying frame or cut the carpet. Cutting the carpet would not matter since the cut will be performed underneath the seat area and will not be viewable once the seat is put back into place.
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 		Once you have the carpet out of the way, find a place to drill. Measure carefully from the edge of the door way to the place you intend to drill at. Then go underneath and measure and check to see that you are not going to hit anything.

Then drill a tiny hole large enough to insert a steel wire hanger through to see that nothing is in your way .

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 		After that drill a hole big enough that would allow the connectors to go through. You may need a dremel tool or sand paper to take out the shivers on the edge. This prevents you from getting cut or cutting the cables when you run them through.
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 		Start bring in all 4 connectors through the hole into the cabin area.

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 		This image shows all 4 connectors that have gone through the hole.
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 		Apply some dielectric grease at the edges of the hole to prevent corrosion. Then put putty around the hole to prevent any water from going inside.

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 		Do the same for the underside.
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 		Start to wrap the  cables with electrical tape.

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 		Continue wrapping the cables in electrical tape up to about 2-3 inches from the connectors ends.

Step 5: Preparing the middle console.

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 		Remove the screws holding the console side cover.

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 		Now remove the console side cover.
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 		Pass the wires under the carpet and route them to the console.

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 		The LED bar kit has a control box that can be placed anywhere, and the installer decided to place it under the ashtray.

The wires were routed to the ashtray area.
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 		The control box connected to the wires.

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 		The unit has a separate On/Off switch and the installer attached them to the Electric heat seat switches. (He obtained the switches from a scrap yard since he did not have them and uses them to control other light sources. If you already have the electric heat seat switches (LX model) then you will need to select another power source.
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 		Placing back the electric seat heat switches.

Step 6: Reinstall all components.


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 		After all the connections are done, reinstall all components.

The Electric heat seat switches.
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 		The Floor step

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 		The side console panel.
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 		Place back the passenger seat.

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 		Connect the power and ground to the fuse box.

 Final Views: (Click on image to open up in full size)

Control box   Interior view   Exterior view
   
         

This site was last updated 02/08/06