Rock lights are small, sealed fixtures that put light on the ground around your wheels, rockers and bumpers. They are easy to install if you plan the layout and the power first. This guide shows where to put the rock lights, how to wire them, and the exact steps, using the Black Oak quick start guide for every electrical number. If you are still choosing a set, start with our LED rock lights collection.
- Pick a layout: 4 rock lights (one per wheel well) is the baseline. Go to 6, 8 or 12 for more coverage.
- Mount: two bolts and a rubber seat per rock light, on a solid, flat surface.
- Power: 10 to 30 volts DC through a 5 amp in-line fuse and a switch. Each rock light draws 0.35 amps.
- Limit: up to 12 rock lights on one 5 amp fuse, daisy chained.
- Ground: to the battery negative or clean, bare chassis metal.
- Time: plan about two hours for 6 to 12 rock lights; a four-light set is quicker.
Rendered scene for illustration, not a customer photo. Four Black Oak rock lights on blue.
Where should you mount rock lights?
Mount rock lights where they have a clear view of the ground and cover from rocks, wheels and exhaust heat: inside the wheel wells, along the rocker panels or frame rails, and under the bumpers. Pick a flat, solid surface, keep the lens pointed at the ground, and keep wire away from moving parts. Tap a layout to see where each rock light goes. For general bar and rock light placement, see our LED light bar mounting locations guide, which covers under-glow mounts too.
One in each wheel well. Lights the tire and the ground at every corner. This is the simplest layout and the right place to start.
- Wheel well
- Rocker panel or frame rail
- Bumper
Illustrated placement, top-down. Not a fitment guide. Check clearance, heat and suspension travel on your vehicle before drilling.
Add one under each rocker. Fills the gap between the front and rear wheels so the ground under the doors is not dark.
- Wheel well
- Rocker panel or frame rail
- Bumper
Illustrated placement, top-down. Not a fitment guide. Check clearance, heat and suspension travel on your vehicle before drilling.
Add the front and rear bumper. Two more rock lights point down at the ground ahead of and behind the vehicle, useful for hitching and backing.
- Wheel well
- Rocker panel or frame rail
- Bumper
Illustrated placement, top-down. Not a fitment guide. Check clearance, heat and suspension travel on your vehicle before drilling.
Full perimeter. Two rock lights per side along the rockers or frame rails, plus two at each bumper. 12 is the most the quick start guide covers on one 5 amp fuse.
- Wheel well
- Rocker panel or frame rail
- Bumper
Illustrated placement, top-down. Not a fitment guide. Check clearance, heat and suspension travel on your vehicle before drilling.
How many rock lights do you need?
Start with the number that covers the wheels, then add rock lights where the ground still looks dark. Fewer rock lights means shorter wire runs and a simpler install.
| Vehicle | Start with | Why |
|---|---|---|
| ATV, compact UTV | 4 rock lights | One per wheel. Short wire runs. |
| Jeep, Bronco, compact SUV | 4 or 6 rock lights | Wheel wells first. Add rocker rock lights for even coverage between the axles. |
| Full-size pickup | 6 or 8 rock lights | The longer wheelbase leaves dark gaps. Add rocker and bumper rock lights. |
| Crew cab, long bed, work truck, trailer | 8 to 12 rock lights | Measure wire runs first. The 8 light RGB kit ships with four 10.5 foot and four 15 foot cords. |
| Maximum on one circuit | 12 rock lights | The most the quick start guide covers on a single 5 amp fuse. |
Starting points, not fitment rules. Pick your own count by the look you want and the wire you can route.
What do you need to install rock lights?
Each Black Oak rock light is military grade and IP69K rated, which means it is sealed against dust and high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. Here is what is in the box and what you bring. Learn what the rating covers in our IP code guide.
In the box (per rock light)
- Rock light with a 4 foot, 22 gauge cord (open wire leads)
- Rubber mounting seat
- Stainless mounting hardware, 3/16 inch bolts
You supply
- Drill and bits, pencil, Phillips screwdriver
- Zip ties
- Heat shrink connectors and a heat gun
- A switch or remote, and extra wire
The rock light to scale, from the official Black Oak drawing. Specs per rock light from the quick start guide: 10 to 30 volts DC, 3 LEDs, 120 degree wide beam, 495 lumens white or 220 lumens in red, blue, green, amber and RGB.
How do you wire rock lights?
Every rock light needs three things: protected positive, a switch, and a solid ground. The diagrams below follow the Black Oak quick start guide. Single color rock lights go through a switch. RGB rock lights go through an RGB controller.
Wiring diagram from the Black Oak quick start guide. Positive runs through the fuse and switch. Ground returns to the battery or clean chassis metal.
RGB rock lights need an RGB controller. The 8 light RGB rock light kit includes a Bluetooth controller. For single RGB rock lights, add the waterproof RGB Bluetooth controller.
How much power do rock lights draw?
Each rock light draws 0.35 amps (quick start guide). Multiply by the number of rock lights: amps = rock lights x 0.35. All four common layouts sit well inside a 5 amp fuse.
| Rock lights | Amp draw | On one 5 amp fuse? |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 1.4 A | Yes |
| 6 | 2.1 A | Yes |
| 8 | 2.8 A | Yes |
| 12 | 4.2 A | Yes, the maximum |
Want to skip sourcing the parts? The Accent/Rock Light Wiring Kit is built for up to four rock lights and includes a 5 amp in-line fuse, 20 AWG tinned copper wire, heat shrink connectors and zip ties. Add a 3-pin waterproof rocker switch to control them.
How do you install rock lights, step by step?
Disconnect the battery before you start. The quick start guide recommends a professional installer if you are unsure about any step.
Test every rock light first
Connect each rock light to a 12 volt source before you mount it. It is far easier to swap a rock light on the bench than under the truck.
Plan the layout and the wire
Choose your rock light spots from the placement map. Lay a string along the route to measure each run, and check that a single color rock light's 4 foot cord reaches the spot or that you have extension wire.
Mark and drill
Hold the rock light and its rubber seat in place, mark the two holes, and drill pilot holes. Keep the rock light on a solid, flat surface away from exhaust heat.
Bolt the rock lights on
Secure each rock light with the stainless bolts. Snug is enough: over-tightening can crack the seat. Need a different angle? The 45 degree accent light mount aims a rock light without bending the bracket.
Route and secure the wire
Run wire along the frame, away from exhaust, moving parts and sharp edges. Leave slack for suspension travel and zip tie every foot or so.
Wire positive, switch and ground
Positive goes through the 5 amp in-line fuse and the switch, then to the first rock light. Ground goes to bare metal or the battery negative. Join leads with heat shrink butt connectors and seal them with a heat gun.
Reconnect and test
Reconnect the battery, flip the switch, and check every rock light. Then look at each rock light from the ground and adjust the aim before the final zip ties.
What if your rock lights do not work?
The lights do not turn on
Check the in-line fuse first. Then check that ground sits on bare metal, not paint, and that positive and ground are not swapped. Use a multimeter to confirm 10 to 30 volts reaches the first rock light.
The lights flicker
A weak ground is the usual cause. Clean the ground point to bare metal and tighten it. Then look for pinched or chafed wire and loose crimps along the run.
One rock light is dark and the others work
Check the splice at that rock light and the connection to the rock light before it in the chain. A single bad crimp or an unsealed butt connector breaks everything downstream of it.
RGB colors will not change
Check the controller power and ground, then confirm the green, red, blue and ground leads match on the controller and the rock light. If you use a remote, replace its battery.
Shop Black Oak rock lights and wiring
Every item below is an active listing in the LED rock lights collection. For ideas by vehicle, read our best rock lights for trucks buying guide and the Jeep Wrangler rock lights story.
Rock lights by color and kit
LED Rock LightsEvery color
RGB Rock Light Kit8 rock lights, Bluetooth
RGB Rock LightSingle rock light
Pure WhiteTrail visibility
AmberDust and fog
RedLow glare
GreenCamp and trail
UltravioletUV accent
Wiring, controls and mounts
Wiring KitUp to 4 rock lights
Rocker Switch3-pin, waterproof
RGB ControllerBluetooth, IP67
45 Degree MountChange the angle
Rock light install FAQ
How long does it take to install rock lights?
Installing 6 to 12 rock lights usually takes about two hours once the wire runs are planned; a smaller four-light set is quicker. Add time for a full-size truck or a switch panel.
How do I wire rock lights to a battery, a switch or a fuse box?
Run positive from the battery or a fused circuit through the 5 amp in-line fuse, then through your switch, then to the first rock light. Daisy chain the remaining rock lights off that line. Run ground to the battery negative or to clean, bare chassis metal. A fuse tap on an existing fused circuit works if the circuit has the capacity. For RGB rock lights, put the controller between the fuse and the rock lights.
How many rock lights can I wire on one circuit?
The Black Oak quick start guide covers up to 12 rock lights on a single 5 amp fuse. Each rock light draws 0.35 amps, so 12 rock lights draw 4.2 amps. For more than 12 rock lights, build a second, separately fused circuit.
Do RGB rock lights need a controller?
Yes. RGB rock lights need an RGB controller, and one controller handles up to 12 rock lights. The 8 light RGB kit includes a Bluetooth controller. If you buy single RGB rock lights, add the waterproof RGB Bluetooth controller.
Can I install rock lights without drilling?
Black Oak rock lights mount with two bolts through the rock light and its rubber mounting seat, so you need a bolt location for each rock light. Use an existing threaded hole or bracket where one lines up, or drill a pilot hole in a solid, flat spot. The 45 degree mount changes the angle when a flat surface does not point the light where you want it.
Are Black Oak rock lights waterproof?
Yes. Black Oak rock lights are military grade and IP69K rated, which covers dust and high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. That is why they live in wheel wells and under rockers. Seal every splice with heat shrink connectors so the wiring matches the rock light.
Are rock lights street legal?
Rules vary by state and by color. Rock lights are built for off-road use and private property, so check your local laws before running them on public roads.
Do the rock lights come with wiring?
A single rock light comes with a 4 foot, 22 gauge cord ending in open wire leads, a rubber mounting seat and a stainless bolt kit. The RGB rock light kit's cords end in a waterproof connector instead. A harness is not included, so you supply the wiring and a switch, or use the Accent/Rock Light Wiring Kit.
Still not sure which layout fits? Call 1-800-348-1287 with your vehicle and the number of rock lights, and the team will help you plan it.
Black Oak LED rock lights are designed and engineered in Sarasota, Florida.
