Modern Rodding Tech
InTheGarageMedia.com
1. Dakota Digital not only offers a variety of electrical accessories, they also supply a variety of tools.
Easy-to-Install Electrical Accessories for Your Modern Hot Rod
By Ron Ceridono 
Photography Courtesy of the Manufacturers
Photography Courtesy of the ManufacturersW
e confess, we will always love bare bones, wind-in-your-face, traditional hot rods—we’re even partial to those with a rough edge or two. On the other hand, there is something to be said for a refined modern rod with some of the accessories we’ve become accustomed to in contemporary cars. It’s those miscellaneous items that our fearless leader, Editor Brennan, refers to as “tchotchkes.”
Many of the “add-on” accessories we find appealing are electrically operated. They may be as simple as courtesy lights that make it easier to find your keys at night, or as high-tech as multi-function GPS systems to help you navigate to wherever you want to go. Most of these cool electrical items can be easily added to an existing wiring harness—it’s especially easy with an aftermarket wiring system, as they generally have the capacity for additional items. Of course, in some cases, an auxiliary fuse panel or relay(s) may be needed, but that is also simple to do.
What we’ve done here is compile a list of some interesting add-on electrical accessories that are affordable and easy to install. Of course, all the sources here offer many more; there seems to be no end to the cool gizmos and gadgets available to make cruising more comfortable.
2. To perform repairs, replace, or add electrical connections to an existing system, American Autowire offers its 250-piece Professional Grade Terminal & Connector Kit (PN 510643). It includes the most common terminals and connectors in a compartmentalized case.
3. When additional electrical circuits are needed, American Autowire offers its Auxiliary Fuse Block (PN 500388). The four individual fuses can supply a maximum of 30 amps to one circuit, with a total maximum of 65 amps for the entire assembly.
4. For even more capacity, American Autowire can provide this six-fuse assembly (PN 500383) with lead wire, side-feed ring terminals, and sleeves. It has a 30-amp maximum per circuit and an 80-amp maximum per entire assembly.
5. This is American Autowire’s four-position banked relay panel (PN 510920). Relays can be individually configured for either ground or 12V operation, supporting a wide variety of equipment and needs.
6. American Autowire’s Power Window Reversing Relay Kit for two windows (PN 510961) and the four-window kit (PN 510962). These kits can be used to supply the reversing power needed to operate power windows, convertible tops, seats, antennas, or any other motor-controlled accessory that requires the ability to reverse polarity.
7. To make installing courtesy lamps easy, American Autowire supplies a typical self-grounding, self-adjusting doorjamb switch with self-tapping threads (PN 500100).
8. These versatile miniature oval LED Accent Lights from Haywire can be used for courtesy lighting, engine accent lighting, interior accent lighting, or trunk lighting. Sold in pairs, each light has six LEDs that emit a wide 110-degree beam angle in a weatherproof housing with an adhesive backing for easy installation. LEDs are available in red, blue, white, and green.
9. This Courtesy Light Module (PN 510197) from American Autowire allows courtesy lights to remain illuminated for a selected amount of time or until the ignition switch is turned on. At the end of the timed delay, courtesy lights will gradually fade to dark. The module accommodates up to six 1156-type bulbs.
10. Dakota Digital’s RGB Lighting Control Module (PN BIM-RGB) allows you to control vehicle accent lighting to match a Dakota Digital instrument system. It can also be used as a standalone to control external LED strips that Dakota Digital offers for underdash lighting, door accents, or other applications. Programmable via Bluetooth with the Dakota Digital Accessory app, it features a “Selectable Music Mode” that flashes the LEDs in sync with the music’s beat.
11. As the dash light rheostat on a standard headlight switch will not work correctly with LEDs, Classic Instruments offers PN LEDDIM. It can be used to control the brightness of the LED lighting of their gauges.
12. This alpha-numeric gear position indicator is from Dakota Digital. The LED display shows the shift positions for both standard automatic and overdrive transmissions. Available in three different colors (PN DGS-1R, red LED), (PN DGS-1G, green LED), (PN DGS-1B, blue LED), all displays are compatible with the GSS-3000 Gear Shift Position Indicator Sending Unit. The unit will dim for nighttime use when the DIM terminal of the GSS-3000 is activated.
13. For those with a car that previously exhibited an alternator warning light (or those looking to add one), American Autowire provides the 11V alternator warning light module (PN 510287). The 11V module activates an in-dash warning light if the charging system voltage drops below 11 V. It works with both LED and incandescent indicator bulbs.
14. Dakota Digital (PN PAC-1300) offers automatic headlight control, dome light control, and retained accessory power. This controller activates the vehicle’s headlights in low-light conditions and turns them off as the lighting conditions improve to a safe level. It can keep the headlights on for a user-selected period after the vehicle is exited. Additionally, it features a selectable delay on the dome light after closing a door or turning off the ignition, along with fade-in and fade-out operation for the dome light. The PAC-1300 also keeps the vehicle’s accessories active until a door is opened after the ignition has been turned off for up to 20 minutes (duration is adjustable). This function will shut down the vehicle’s lights and accessories if a low-voltage condition is detected, helping to preserve battery charge for starting the engine.
15. Haywire & Co. offers these miniature LED lighted license plate bolts to provide extra illumination where needed. They can also be used as accent interior lighting or underhood lighting. Basic (PN L2777) LEDs are available in red, blue, or white with black or silver housing (suffix denotes light color and housing color).
16. This is the PAC-1300 remote sensor used to trigger automatic headlight activation. It’s mounted in the dash directly under the windshield for proper operation to “see” the current lighting conditions.
17. Haywire offers USB dual-port charging plugs that are small enough to put in the glovebox, under the seat, in the dash, or under it: the lighted version (PN 1954, glows blue) and the non-illuminated version (PN 1954-B, is black). Both styles charge two devices simultaneously and draw 2.1 amps per port.
18. The Dakota Digital module (PN BIM-17-2) simplifies the installation of an eight-direction compass and outside air temperature indicator on their RTX, HDX, VHX, and VFD3 instrument systems.
19. Dakota Digital’s Velocity Cruise Commander (PN VCM-100) Series is a cruise control designed for drive-by-wire GM, Ford, or Mopar drivetrains and electronics. It works with the OEM OBD-II/CAN system or even an aftermarket EFI system with electronic pedal control. The Velocity Commander monitors speedometer and tachometer data via OBD-II, aftermarket EFI CAN data, or a direct connection to the speedometer and tachometer. The cruise control can be easily configured using the Dakota Digital mobile app.
20. Dakota Digital (PN 2000-1) Electric Servo Cruise Control is designed for vehicles with cable-driven speedometers. It includes an electric servo, mounting hardware, wiring harness, electric speed sensor, and a handle of your choice. The speed sensor attaches inline with a GM-style speedometer cable. For electronic speedometers, Dakota Digital offers a different cruise control (PN CRS-3000).
21. Seeking a straightforward convenience upgrade for your car’s interior? American Autowire’s (PN 500081) courtesy light kit comes with two underdash lamps with mounting brackets, terminals, and door switches.
22. For a factory-style cruise control switch, Dakota Digital offers PN HND-3, modeled after the early GM style, featuring a flat end and a single screw to hold it in place. This style also fits aftermarket brands such as Ididit and Flaming River. Additionally, there is PN HND-l, a universal cruise control/turn signal handle that slides over the turn signal lever shaft and is secured by setscrews.
23. Additionally, Dakota Digital offers a dash-mount cruise control switch (PN HND-2).
24. The (PN BIM-22-3) expansion module for Dakota Digital HDX/RTX instrument systems offers real-time pressure readings for all four tires, shown in the existing message center. The wireless valve stem sensors (tires must be removed for installation) report to a vehicle-mounted receiver that can be easily reprogrammed during tire rotation or replacement.
25. Dakota Digital’s PN CMD-X provides up to 12 channels of fully programmable outputs. Possible applications include activating power windows, electric door locks, power trunk, electric tonneau covers, tilt front ends, and more. The CMD-X features a pair of six-button remote transmitters equipped with code-hopping technology for enhanced security.
SOURCESModern Rodding
VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 62 • 2025