The Best Rock Lights to Transform Your Truck's Look

Choosing the Best Rock Lights for Your Truck

Adding rock lights to your truck can completely transform its look, especially at night. With the right lighting setup, your truck will stand out on the road and attract attention at any car show or meetup. But with so many rock light options on the market, how do you choose the best kit for your needs?

Consider Your Budget

Rock lights can range greatly in terms of cost. Basic kits with just a few LED pods may cost $50 or less, while elaborate custom setups with dozens of lights can cost over $500. Consider how much you want to spend on your rock lighting system.

For most truck owners, a mid-range kit in the $100 to $300 range will provide plenty of bright, customizable lighting. Brands like XKGlow, Oracle, and Baja Designs offer quality lights at reasonable prices.

Choose Your Light Style

There are a few main types of rock lights:

• LED pods - These compact circular lights are very versatile and can be mounted almost anywhere on your truck.
• LED strips - Offer bright accent lighting and can contour along your truck's body lines.
• LED cubes - Small cube-shaped lights that create a unique dot lighting effect.
• LED bulbs - Replace existing bulbs in your truck's lights with LEDs for custom coloring.

For the most flexibility, choose a kit with LED pods which can be positioned anywhere you want. LED strips complement the pods well for accent lighting.

Get an All-In-One Kit

To make installing your rock lights as easy as possible, look for an all-in-one kit. These kits include everything you need for a complete lighting setup:

• LED lights
• Wiring harness
• On/off switch
• Wireless remote
• In-line fuse holder
• Mounting hardware

All-in-one kits take the guesswork out of choosing compatible components and make installing your lights a breeze.

Watch the Video Reviews

Before settling on a particular rock light kit, watch some video reviews to see the lights in action. This will give you a better idea of the brightness, color options, and mounting possibilities.

Pay attention to how well the lights illuminate the trucks at night. Brighter doesn't always mean better - some lights can cause too much glare. Look for even, consistent lighting.

Match Your Truck's Color Scheme

Many rock light kits offer color changing lights. This allows you to match the lighting to your truck's paint color or accessories for a cohesive custom look.

For example, if your truck is white, choose a kit with lights that can display crisp white lighting. Or if you have red accents, get lights with red and white color options.

Get a Waterproof Kit

Since your rock lights will be mounted on the exterior of your truck, they need to be waterproof. Look for lights with waterproof casings and connectors to prevent moisture damage as you drive in wet conditions.

Also, get marine-grade wiring suited for outdoor use. This wiring is designed to resist corrosion and hold up to the elements.

Consider the Power Source

Rock lights running off your truck's battery will produce the brightest, most consistent lighting. Kits that plug into your cigarette lighter socket are easier to install but may not power as many lights.

Compare how many LEDs different kits can support on battery power vs. cigarette lighter power to choose the right option.

Get a System with Expandability

As you get used to your new rock lights, you may want to add more lights over time. Look for kits that allow expanding with extra lights, longer wiring harnesses, and repeaters.

This way you can start with a basic kit and easily upgrade it down the road for more complex lighting effects.

Factor in Wireless Control

The most convenient rock light kits come with wireless remote controls. This allows you to turn the lights on and off and change colors without running back to your truck.

RGB lights with Bluetooth control from your smartphone offer even more customization and convenience.

Top Rock Light Recommendations

Based on the criteria above, here are some top rock lights to consider for your truck:

Oracle XKGlow LED Rock Light Kit

This all-in-one kit comes with 6 ultra-bright waterproof LED pods plus all wiring and mounting hardware needed. The multicolor lights can be controlled wirelessly via remote.

Nilight LED Light Bar Rock Lights

Including 18 LED pods and limitless color options, this kit provides 360-degree lighting coverage. An easy-to-install wiring harness powers the durable IP68 waterproof lights.

Opt7 Aura RGB Rock Lights

Featuring multi-zone control via Bluetooth app, these customizable LED strip lights create vibrant underglow effects synced to music.

Baja Designs Squadron Rock Lights

Engineered for extreme durability, these compact LED lights provide targeted high-power illumination perfect for off-roading.

When decking out your truck with rock lights, take the time to choose the right kit for your specific needs and budget. With so many features to consider - brightness, colors, mounting, and control options - it pays to do your research first. The lights you choose can take your truck's style to the next level!

FAQs

How difficult is it to install rock lights on my truck?

With an all-in-one kit, installing rock lights is quite straightforward. The included wiring harness and mounting hardware make the job much easier. You'll just need to mount the lights, connect the wiring, and install an on/off switch. No special electrical expertise required.

Where should I mount rock lights on my truck?

LED pods can be mounted virtually anywhere - under the truck, along the side rockers, on the grille, above the wheel wells, etc. LED strips often run along the bottom edges of a truck. Place lights to highlight your truck's contours and accessories.

Can I leave my rock lights on all night?

It's best to use rock lights only when showing off your truck. Leaving them on too long can drain your truck's battery. Use them for meets, shows, or occasional night drives, but don't rely on them for regular lighting.

Will rock lights drain my truck's battery?

Running multiple bright LED lights does require significant power, especially if not wired directly to your battery. Limit use to 30-60 minutes at a time, and make sure your alternator can keep up with the electrical load.

Are waterproof rock lights really waterproof?

Quality rock lights from reputable brands use waterproof casings, connectors, and marine-grade wiring built to get wet and resist moisture. Just make sure all connections and seals are tight to prevent water getting in over time.