Trucks and SUVs are made for underglow. They sit higher, so the light spreads wider across the ground, and their size gives you more room to light. They do need a little more planning than a car: the right length, solid mounting points, and wiring that copes with long suspension travel.
Which kit size for a truck or SUV?
Most midsize SUVs, crew-cab pickups and full-size SUVs suit our Extended kit, with 2 × 180 cm side strips, 2 × 90 cm front strips and 2 × 60 cm rear strips. Smaller crossovers often fit the Standard kit. Long-bed pickups and wide builds can add Extension Strips (30 cm sections) to fill any gaps.
The quickest way to check is the size finder on the Underglow page: pick your year, make and model and it recommends the kit, and tells you if there's room for extensions. For a full breakdown see our kit size guide.
Where to mount
- Sides: along the frame rails or the inside of the rocker panels, tucked behind running boards if you have them.
- Front: behind the lower bumper or on a crossmember, clear of the tow hooks and skid plate.
- Rear: under the rear bumper, clear of the hitch and spare tire.
Avoid the exhaust, driveshaft and anything that moves with the suspension. Use the clips and zip ties as well as the adhesive, because trucks see more vibration and more mud than cars.
Lifted and off-road builds
- Leave slack where wiring crosses from the frame to anything that moves, and check it at full suspension droop.
- Mount strips high and inboard so rocks and ruts don't catch them. The extra height still lights the ground nicely.
- Use IP68 strips, and seal and grease connectors. Mud, water crossings and road salt find every weak spot. All our strips are IP68 rated.
- Re-check after every trail day for loose mounts and impact damage.
Wiring and power
Our kits run on the vehicle's 12V system through an inline fuse, with a built-in toggle switch for instant on and off. Route the power lead along existing harnesses, keep it away from the exhaust, and use split loom anywhere it could rub. If you're adding Engine Lighting, it plugs into the same controller, so there's no second box to wire.
Build ideas
Work truck, clean look
White or amber underglow, steady with no effects, for a factory-plus look at the job site after dark.
Off-road rig
Amber underglow plus WheelGlow rings. Trucks with big wheels and open wheel wells show off wheel lighting better than anything. WheelGlow's 17" rings fit 20 to 22" wheels.
Show truck
RGBIC underglow, WheelGlow and Engine Lighting running the same music-synced scene, plus a starlight headliner inside. The Ultimate Glow bundle covers it for less than buying separately.
Rules still apply
Trucks and SUVs follow the same lighting rules as cars: in most provinces underglow should be off on public roads, and red, blue and flashing lights are off-limits. See our Canadian underglow legal guide.
Comparing underglow with rock lights for an off-road build? Read Underglow vs rock lights.
