Tesla Model Y Customized LED Trunk Lights installation

Tesla Model Y Customized LED Trunk Lights installation

Installing the Tesla Model Y Custom LED Strip is one of the most popular and satisfying "beginner" DIY projects. It requires no permanent modifications and can be completed in about 15–20 minutes.

 

Depending on whether you are installing it in the Frunk (Front Trunk) or Rear Trunk, follow the specific guides below.

Part 1: Frunk (Front Trunk) Installation Guide

This is the most common upgrade since the Frunk has very poor lighting from the factory.

Tools Needed:

Your LED Strip Kit

A small flat-head screwdriver or plastic trim tool

 

10mm socket or wrench (for the ground wire)

Step-by-Step DIY:

  1. Remove the Emergency Panel: Open your frunk. Locate the small plastic panel that houses the emergency release button (the glowing button). Gently pry it off using your fingers or a trim tool; it is held by simple plastic clips.

  2. Disconnect the Button: Unplug the cable leading to the emergency button.

     

  3. Insert the "Y-Harness": Take the wiring harness provided in your kit. Plug one end into the car’s original cable and the other end back into the emergency button. This "taps" into the power without cutting any wires.

     

  4. Connect the Ground (Crucial Step): Look behind where the panel was. You will see a 10mm bolt (usually part of the latch assembly). Loosen it slightly, slide the U-shaped ground wire from your kit under the bolt, and tighten it back down. Your LED strip should light up now!

  5. Tuck the Strip: Start from the center (near the latch) and begin tucking the LED strip into the gap between the rubber weather-stripping and the frunk's plastic tub. It should fit snugly without adhesive.

  6. Trim & Close: Once you go all the way around, if there is extra length, most strips can be cut at the marked "cut points." Re-install the emergency button panel by clicking it back into place.

Part 2: Rear Trunk Installation Guide

The rear installation usually taps into the existing trunk side light or the 12V socket.

Step-by-Step DIY:

  1. Locate the Factory Light: Find the small LED light on the side of your trunk wall. Use a trim tool to gently pop the housing out.

  2. Swap the Connection: Unplug the factory light and plug in the adapter provided with your kit. This allows the new strip to turn on/off whenever the trunk is opened.

     

  3. Route the Strip: Tuck the thin LED strip into the weather-stripping gap that runs around the perimeter of the trunk opening.

     

  4. Hide the Wires: Use the included trim tool to push the wiring behind the trunk’s fabric liner for a clean, professional look.

💡 Expert Tips for a Professional Finish

Warmth is your friend: If the weather is cold, the silicone strip might be stiff. Run the car’s heater for a few minutes or use a hairdryer to make the strip more flexible for easier tucking.

Don't Pinch the Wire: When putting the emergency button panel back on (Frunk), make sure the new wiring isn't resting directly on a clip point, or it might get pinched and short out.

 

Test Before Tucking: Always plug the harness in and make sure the light turns on before you spend 10 minutes tucking the strip into the rubber seal.

The 10-Minute Rule: Most of these kits have a built-in timer. If you leave your trunk open for more than 10 minutes, the light will automatically shut off to protect your 12V battery. Don't panic if it goes dark while you're working!

 

Ready to start? You can find the kit here: Tesla Model Y Custom LED Strip at MotorWorld Marketplace

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