2020+ Explorer ST BIG MOUTH "LIT KIT" Intake Installation Guide
Kit Contents (Full Kit)
Please review this document before attempting installation. You will need basic hand tools and about 2 hours of installation time. Please review the table below and make sure you have received the kit contents.
| Kit Contents | Qty |
|---|---|
| #8 x 1/2" Flat Head Phillips Screw | 9 |
| #8 x 1/2" Round Head Phillips Screw | 5 |
| Drill Template | 1 |
| Diode Dynamics RGBW Controller | 1 |
| Diode Dynamics 1m LED Extension | 1 |
| Positive Cable w/ In-Line Fuse | 1 |
| Power Cable w/ Pigtail Connector | 1 |
| Switch | 1 |
| Switch Ground Cable w/ Pigtail Connector | 1 |
| Cable Clips | 2 |
| 8" Zip Ties | 8 |
| LIT KIT BIG MOUTH with Brackets | 1 |
Kit Contents (LIT Flare Only)
Please review this document before attempting installation. You will need basic hand tools and about 2 hours of installation time. Please review the table below and make sure you have received the kit contents.
| Kit Contents | Qty |
|---|---|
| Diode Dynamics RGBW Controller | 1 |
| Diode Dynamics 1m LED Extension | 1 |
| Positive Cable w/ In-Line Fuse | 1 |
| Power Cable w/ Pigtail Connector | 1 |
| Switch | 1 |
| Switch Ground Cable w/ Pigtail Connector | 1 |
| 8" Zip Ties | 8 |
| Cable Clips | 2 |
| Assembled LIT Flare | 1 |
If you already own the Velossa Tech Design GEN 4 Focus ST BIG MOUTH, skip to section 7 to see install and wiring instructions.
Stock Components Removal
Use Google or online forums to search for best practices when removing the front bumper.
Assemble the Brackets
Two brackets are supplied in the kit; these brackets are to be fastened to the main body as shown.
Lay the body on a soft surface or towel and use a Phillips screwdriver to screw the main bracket from the inside of the body. Use 6 of the countersunk screws for the large bracket.
[Image Description: A hand is shown using a Phillips screwdriver to attach a bracket to the main body of the BIG MOUTH intake, with 6 screws being driven in from the inside.]
Assemble the Brackets
Use the other 3 countersunk screws for the small bracket.
[Image Description: A hand is shown using a Phillips screwdriver to attach the smaller bracket to the BIG MOUTH intake body, using the remaining 3 screws.]
Install the LIT BIG MOUTH Flare
SKIP THIS SECTION IF YOU PURCHASED A FULL LIT KIT
If you already own a BIG MOUTH and want to swap flares to upgrade to a lit kit, use the following instruction. There are 4 allen key screws that attach the flare to the body, as shown behind the green circles. Remove the screws and install the LIT Flare.
Note: LED power cable must exit the passenger side of the flare once installed!
[Image Description: A hand is shown removing 4 allen key screws from the existing BIG MOUTH flare. Green circles highlight the locations of these screws on the vehicle's front end.]
Template
Use the supplied template as shown, place it snugly up against the surface so that you can mark the holes with a sharpie or sharp edge.
[Image Description: A drilling template is positioned against the vehicle's grille area to precisely mark where holes need to be drilled.]
Template
You will need to drill these holes out from the rubber shroud. Use a 1/8" drill bit.
Seat the BIG MOUTH into the cowl opening, make sure you feel the click as the big mouth slots snap into place. Begin drilling the holes through the shroud into the BIG MOUTH plastic brackets using the template holes.
DO NOT PUSH HARD WHEN DRILLING, THIS WILL CAUSE THE BRACKETS TO FLEX AND YOU WILL LOSE HOLE POSITION.
[Image Description: Left: A hand holding the BIG MOUTH flare, aligning it with the grille opening, with a blue arrow indicating the direction of insertion. Right: A drill is being used to create holes through the rubber shroud into the BIG MOUTH plastic brackets, guided by the template.]
BIG MOUTH Installation Procedure
Use the button head Phillips screws to screw the 5 self-tapping screws into the brackets as shown. Do not overtorque; hand tight is enough.
[Image Description: A hand is shown using a Phillips screwdriver to install 5 button head Phillips screws into the brackets that have been attached to the vehicle's front end.]
BIG MOUTH Installation Procedure
Clean this surface with a cloth and stick the wire tie-down as shown, on the underside of the radiator shroud, near the first gap.
Snake the wire through the second gap as shown.
[Image Description: Left: A hand is cleaning a surface on the radiator shroud and attaching a wire tie-down. Right: A wire is being routed through a gap in the radiator shroud, indicated by a green arrow.]
BIG MOUTH Installation Procedure
Route the LED power cable (from the controller) from the engine bay side, through this hole in the radiator support.
[Image Description: A hand is shown routing the LED power cable from the engine bay side through a specific hole in the radiator support, with a green arrow indicating the cable's path.]
BIG MOUTH Installation Procedure
Plug the LED cable into the power controller as shown. Add another wire tie-down; clean the surface first.
[Image Description: Left: A hand is shown plugging the LED cable into the power controller. Right: A wire tie-down is being attached to a cleaned surface, with a green arrow indicating its placement.]
BIG MOUTH Installation Procedure
Use the double-sided tape from the controller package, clean the surface and mount as shown.
[Image Description: The power controller is being mounted onto a suitable surface in the engine bay using the provided double-sided tape.]
Wiring Harness
This section details the components of the wiring harness:
- Power terminal (+)
- In-line fuse
- Positive wire (+)
- Toggle switch
- Crimped connectors
- Switch ground wire
- Ground terminal (-)
- Ground wire (-)
- Power connector
- Crimped connector
[Image Description: An illustration displays all the individual components of the wiring harness, clearly labeled with their respective names.]
Wiring Harness Schematic
This diagram illustrates the wiring connections:
Connections:
- Crimped connector to switch terminal (+)
- Crimped connector to switch terminal (A)
- 12V Power Terminal (+)
- Fuse
- Power connector
- Ground (-)
- Switch (leave on)
Note: The gold terminal on the switch can be grounded using the provided black wire to allow the switch LED to light up when in use. This is optional.
[Image Description: A schematic diagram shows the wiring connections: the power connector leads to the fuse, the fuse connects to the 12V Power Terminal (+), the fuse also connects to switch terminal (A), switch terminal (+) connects to the positive wire, and the ground wire connects to the Ground (-). The switch itself is depicted with terminals for connection.]
BIG MOUTH Installation Procedure
Plug the grey power connector into the controller as shown, route the wires under the seal trim as shown.
[Image Description: A hand is shown plugging a grey power connector into the controller. The wires are then routed under a seal trim, with a green arrow indicating the path.]
BIG MOUTH Installation Procedure
Using the wiring diagram on slide 15, connect all power and ground wires and bundle any excess wires as shown. The switch is only to be used to turn off the controller for long-term storage.
[Image Description: Hands are shown connecting power and ground wires, and bundling any excess wires together with zip ties. Green arrows point to the connection and bundling points.]
BIG MOUTH Installation Procedure
Tuck the wire bundles and switch in the battery compartment. Use the + and – terminals to power and ground the controller and switch (ground only).
[Image Description: Wire bundles and the switch are being placed into the battery compartment. Green arrows point to the positive (+) and negative (-) battery terminals where the connections for power and ground are made.]
Fine Tune
You can make an adjustment to the BIG MOUTH to ensure it is level. Place the bumper on the car, do not fasten yet; inspect visually for alignment and level. If you need more adjustment, go back and drill bigger holes in the rubber shroud to give you some play room, then tighten as needed.
[Image Description: A red Ford Explorer ST is shown with the BIG MOUTH intake installed. A large green circular arrow graphic overlays the grille area, indicating the need for alignment and adjustment.]
Phone App
Download the Diode Dynamics app and connect via Bluetooth.
How to connect to the app:
- After installing the app from the app store, open the app on your device.
- Cycle the power to the Bluetooth controller by unplugging it and plugging it back in, or flick the power switch. Wait a few seconds, then turn it back on.
- Wait for the app to detect the controller; it will pop up on the app screen as a Bluetooth controller. If necessary, cycle the power once more to refresh the controller.
- Once the controller shows up on the app, click it and connect. You have 30 seconds to select the controller once it shows up on the app. After 30 seconds, you will need to refresh again to detect the controller again.
- Note that if you mounted your controller behind a lot of metal components, this may degrade the signal and range.
[Image Description: A screenshot of the Diode Dynamics app interface is displayed, showing a color wheel for RGBW selection, a brightness slider, and control buttons for various modes like COLOR, PATTERN, CUSTOM, SYNC, and CAMERA.]
Finalize
Re-install the bumper the same way it was removed and ENJOY!
[Image Description: A close-up view of the front of a red Ford Explorer ST, showcasing the installed LIT BIG MOUTH intake, which is illuminated with purple light. The vehicle's 'ST' emblem is visible on the grille.]
