|
My '04 Frontier didn't come with the fog lights (and wasn't pre-wired for
the fog lights like some of the "higher" models may be -- if so, the wiring may be taped up near the headlights and the other
end will be in the steering column), so I bought an aftermarket kit off of eBay and decided to "cut into" my new vehicle.
The lights themselves were a pretty quick install. Pop out the faux
vents and one bolt on the bottom holds the lights in place. I zip tied the wires to the frame and brought the harness
up through the passenger headlight to the engine compartment.
|
|||||||||
It's a tight view, but the 12V/40A relay and ground wire are attached
to the fender wall using pre-existing bolt holes. As much as I hated the idea of introducing a possible
corrosion entry point, to ensure a better ground, I scraped away some of the paint around any hole that was used for a ground
so that the bolt head would make metal to metal contact. The fused (15A) power wire is wrapped around the battery's
Positive (+) and will be connected last.
|
|||||||||
Now I just zip tied the harness containing the one blue wire for the relay
on/off signal around the fender and fire wall.
|
|||||||||
This is the first of three things I really didn't like doing... drilling
a hole in my firewall. I decided on this spot after many minutes staring at the cab side and the engine side of the
firewall. NOTE: Others have gone through the factory grommet on the driver's side of the firewall
with their wiring (that's what the aftermarket cruise control folks did). You have to cut the grommet, but it saves
you from drilling.
|
|||||||||
A grommet and some silicone and hopefully it's sealed up pretty well.
|
|||||||||
Ahhhh.. finally through.
|
|||||||||
Time to wire the switch. Sorry, I wish I had taken a picture of the
"kit" so you could see the harnesses, but there's the relay on/off blue wire, the black ground wire, and a yellow switch power
wire. BTW, the switch wouldn't fit in the open spot because it is really long and hit the fuse panel's frame so it's
in the switch hole closest to the steering column. Oh, and I turned it upright before I put it in :)
|
|||||||||
The blue wire is finally routed. It took some looking around to
find a path that the clutch, brake, and gas pedals wouldn't bother it.
|
|||||||||
I decided I wanted power to the fogs only when the parking lights were
on (well the headlights too), so, here's the second thing I really didn't like doing. My continuity tester is pointing
to the parking light switch hot wire (blue with red stripe)... time to splice.
Based on some discussion in the Nissan Forum I frequent, I wanted to state that I live in Virginia and I followed
(to the best of my ability to understand it), VA regulations concerning automotive illumination as stated here. -- Doesn't that sound official :) I just wanted
everyone to keep in mind, your state may have different requirements but while they may be painful
to read, they can usually be found on the Web.
|
|||||||||
The quick connect splice seemed to be the best way (next to cutting
the wire open and soldering them) to connect the yellow power switch hot to the parking light hot.
|
|||||||||
The switch ground just went to an existing bolt in the kick panel area.
It just took a little time to zip tie it out of the way of the parking brake mechanism.
|
|||||||||
Well, here's the third thing I didn't like; drawing power for the lights
directly from the battery. I know, pretty much everyone does this (even the shop that I asked about doing the install),
but I just don't like it. I'd rather have hooked it into the fuse block on the fender wall, but I'm afraid I just don't
have the skill/knowledge to do that.
|
|||||||||
Anyway, that's about as clean as I can make it look I guess.
|
|||||||||
OK, time to test...
|
|||||||||
... and there was light!
|
|||||||||
Okay, so I'd say I probably spent 3-4 hours on this install, but
I'm a slow worker and I'm sure 1-1/2 hours of that was looking, thinking, and getting up the nerve to drill &
splice. I still have to aim them, but all in all, I'm happy with the install.
Update: Well, I've finally aimed the lights (vertical
only, I have not found a horizontal adjustment) and I'm very happy with the results. They provide quite a bit of
light both forward and toward the sides and are very helpful especially in rainy/wet conditions.
Back to 2004 Nissan Frontier Page
|
|