Best Side Lights for Trucks: Bright Running Board Lighting for Extended and Crew Cab Models
Elevate safety and style with high-performance side lights for trucks. This guide highlights top-running board lighting options designed for extended and crew cab pickups, delivering bright white courtesy lights and amber turn signals. Each product is selected for durability, waterproofing, and easy installation to help drivers stay visible in rain, night, and rough road conditions.
| Product | Brand | Light Type | Length | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nilight Truck LED Running Board Lights | Nilight | White Courtesy + Amber Turn Signals | 70 inch | High brightness; IP67; strong adhesive |
| OPT7 Sidekick 86″ | OPT7 | White Courtesy + Amber Turn Signals | 86 inch | Exclusive sequential signals; easy door assist |
| Nilight Truck Running Board Lights 60″ | Nilight | White Courtesy + Amber Turn Signals | 60 inch | Bright output; durable install |
| OPT7 Sidekick 78″ | OPT7 | White Courtesy + Amber Turn Signals | 78 inch | Powerful daytime brightness; door light feature |
| OPL5 70″ | OPL5 | White Courtesy + Amber Turn Signals | 70 inch | Waterproof; easy 2-wire install |
Buying decisions for side lights hinge on brightness, weather resistance, compatibility with your truck, and how the wiring integrates with existing lighting. The following sections present five highly relevant options with concise features to help you compare quickly and choose with confidence.
Nilight 70-Inch Running Board Lights
The Nilight 70-inch running board lights combine 216 high-intensity LEDs for powerful output. The strip provides 72 white LEDs for door/step illumination and 144 amber LEDs for sequential turn signals. This dual-color design helps with both visibility and signaling. It is IP67 waterproof and uses a transparent plastic tube to protect the LEDs, with strong adhesive and cable ties for stable installation. The kit emphasizes cleaning the surface to maximize adhesion for long-term performance.
OPT7 Sidekick 86″ Running Board Lights
OPT7 Sidekick 86″ lights feature exclusive sequential amber turn signals and a white courtesy light that activates when doors open. They are designed to sync with the vehicle’s signals and lighting so drive-by visibility is consistent. The system notes that wiring may be required beyond standard connections for longer vehicles, and advises against rear wiring to avoid signal errors. The design emphasizes daytime brightness and durability in inclement weather, helping vehicles stay noticeable on the road.
Nilight 60-Inch Truck Running Board Lights
This Nilight kit uses 144 LED chips and splits them into 72 white door/step LEDs and 72 amber turn signal LEDs. It provides strong brightness and reliable amber signaling. The IP67-rated waterproof strip uses a durable protective tube and robust adhesive with cable ties for secure mounting. Proper surface cleaning before installation is recommended to maximize stability, especially on dusty or oily vehicle surfaces.
OPT7 Sidekick 78″ Running Board Lights
OPT7’s 78-inch Sidekick lights emphasize exclusive sequential turn signals and strong daytime brightness. They are designed to pair with your vehicle’s turn signals, parking lights, or running lights to deliver vivid signaling. The product promotes the white courtesy light activated by door opening for easier entry and exit. The system is framed as highly visible during daytime and in adverse weather conditions, with an emphasis on road presence.
OPL5 70-Inch LED Truck Running Board Lights
OPL5 offers two 70-inch strips with 216 LEDs per strip. The white door/step and amber turn signal LEDs create a robust signaling system with waterproof operation. The design emphasizes a straightforward two-wire installation and compatibility with extended cab and crew cab pickups. A transparent tube encases the LEDs for weather protection, supporting reliable performance through rain, snow, and dust.
Buying Guide
Key considerations when choosing side lights for trucks include length compatibility with your running boards, brightness levels, and color functions. Longer strips (86″ or 78″ models) suit extended or crew cabs with wider steps, while 60″ options fit specific configurations. Look for dual-color LEDs (white for courtesy lighting, amber for turn signals) to maximize safety. IP rating (IP65 to IP67) indicates weather resistance against water and dust. Installation ease matters; consider whether the kit uses adhesive mounts, cable ties, and whether extra wiring is required to sync signals with headlights or parking lights. Finally, assess durability, warranty, and customer support from the brand for long-term use.
Durability and reliability are impacted by installation environment. IP67-rated lights perform well in heavy rain and highway speeds, but ensure surfaces are clean and dry before applying adhesives for lasting adhesion. Sequential turn signals improve signaling predictability for other drivers, though some setups require additional wiring to connect to the vehicle’s switchboard or fuse box. For drivers prioritizing door-lit entry, models with strong door courtesy light functionality help passengers access the vehicle at night. When comparing brands, review the included hardware and whether the kit provides enough length and mounting options for your specific truck model.
In sum, choosing the right side lights involves balancing length, brightness, signal behavior, and installation practicality. The five options highlighted here provide a spectrum of brightness levels, waterproofing, and sequential signaling to help you pick a solution that improves visibility, safety, and aesthetics for your truck’s side lighting setup.