Woody's Garage Installation Guide
How to Install LED Whip Lights on a UTV, SXS or ATV
Installing LED whip lights isn't especially difficult, but taking a little time to plan the mounting location, wire routing, controller placement, and power connection can make the finished installation cleaner and more reliable.
This guide walks through the basic installation process for LED whips on UTVs, SXSs, ATVs, and other off-road machines. The exact installation will vary depending on your machine and the whip system you're using, but the same basic principles apply to most setups.
The Quick Answer
1. Choose a solid mounting location.
2. Install the whip mounts.
3. Route the whip cables safely toward the controller.
4. Connect the whips to the splitter/controller.
5. Mount the controller in a protected location.
6. Connect the system to fused, switched power.
7. Test everything before permanently securing the wiring.
The most important part isn't making the lights turn on. It's making sure the wiring is protected, the connections are secure, and everything is positioned where it can survive actual off-road use.
Step 1: Choose Where to Mount Your LED Whips
Most UTV and SXS riders mount their whips toward the rear of the machine, usually on the roll cage, rear crossbar, bed area, or another solid mounting point.
Before drilling holes or tightening mounts, think about:
- Roof and rear-window clearance
- Garage and enclosed-trailer height
- Low branches on wooded trails
- Access for removing the whips
- Where the whip cables will enter the machine
- Whether the mount and surrounding structure are strong enough to support the whips while riding
You also don't necessarily need to mount the whips at the highest possible point. A lower mounting position can work extremely well, especially with shorter whips or oversized whips such as Big Woodys.
Still deciding what size to run? See our LED Whip Length Guide before choosing your mounting location.
Step 2: Install the Whip Mounts
Install your whip mounts on a solid part of the machine and make sure they're securely tightened before installing the whips.
Woody's Lights Cyclone whip packages include quick-release mounts, making it easy to remove the whips when transporting or storing your machine.
If you're using a roll-cage clamp or another accessory mount, make sure it matches the tubing size on your machine and is positioned so the whip can stand securely without interfering with the roof, body panels, doors, or other accessories.
Before tightening everything down, install the whip temporarily and look at the machine from several angles. It's much easier to move a mount now than after you've routed and secured all the wiring.
Step 3: Route the Whip Wires
Route the wires from each whip toward the location where the controller and splitter will be installed.
Whenever possible, follow the machine's existing wiring paths and frame or cage structure. Secure the wires with zip ties or appropriate wire-management hardware so they can't hang loose or move into suspension components, driveshafts, exhaust components, or other moving or hot parts.
Avoid routing wires across sharp edges. If a wire needs to pass through a panel or metal opening, protect it from abrasion with a grommet, loom, or other suitable protection.
Leave enough slack near the whip mounts to connect and disconnect the whips without pulling on the wiring, but don't leave large loops of wire hanging loose.
Step 4: Connect the Whips to the Controller
A typical pair of Woody's Lights Cyclone whips uses a Y-splitter to connect both whips to a single controller.
Standard Cyclone packages include:
- A pair of LED whips
- Quick-release mounts
- 6ft Y-splitter harness
- Controller and 14-button remote
- 10ft power wire
Connect the whips to the splitter and the splitter to the controller, making sure the waterproof connectors are fully seated and secured.
Don't force a connector together. If it doesn't fit correctly, stop and verify that you have the correct connection and orientation.
Step 5: Find a Protected Location for the Controller
The controller should be mounted somewhere protected from unnecessary abuse while still remaining accessible if you ever need to inspect, replace, or reconnect it.
Good locations vary by machine, but the goal is to keep the controller away from extreme heat, moving parts, and areas where it will be constantly blasted by mud or debris.
Before securing the controller permanently, make sure all of your whip, splitter, and power cables can reach it without being stretched tight.
Step 6: Connect the Whips to Power
Once the whips, wiring, and controller are in place, the system needs a switched power source.
For most Woody's Lights installations, we recommend using a relay and fuse rather than placing the full lighting load directly through the rocker switch.
The simplified wiring path for most installations looks like:
Some Woody's Lights systems also use a voltage converter, so the exact wiring path depends on which whips you're installing.
Rather than duplicate all of that information here, we've put together a separate guide covering relay use, fuse sizes, converters, rocker switches, and the different Woody's Lights systems:
LED Whip Relay, Fuse & Wiring Guide
Step 7: Test Everything Before Finishing the Installation
Before you permanently zip-tie every wire and reinstall any panels you've removed, power the system on and test it.
Check that:
- Both whips power on correctly
- Patterns and colors display properly
- The remote or controller responds correctly
- Connections remain secure when the wires are moved slightly
- No wiring is stretched, pinched, or resting against hot or moving components
Once everything is working correctly, finish securing the wiring and trim any excess from your zip ties.
Common LED Whip Installation Mistakes
Mounting the Whips Before Thinking About Wire Routing
A mounting location may look perfect until you realize there's no clean way to route the wire from it. Plan the mount and wiring path together.
Leaving Wiring Loose
Off-road machines vibrate, flex, bounce, and get covered in mud. Loose wiring that seems harmless in the garage can quickly end up rubbing against something sharp or getting caught where it shouldn't.
Routing Wiring Near Exhaust Components
Keep LED whip wiring and controllers away from exhaust pipes and other high-temperature areas.
Skipping Circuit Protection
The lights may work without a relay or properly sized fuse, but that doesn't make it our preferred installation. We recommend proper circuit protection for the wiring and lighting system.
Finishing the Installation Before Testing
Test first. Zip-tie everything permanently and reinstall panels second. You'll thank yourself if something needs to be moved.
Installing LED Whips on an ATV
ATVs often require a little more planning because there is less body and cage structure available for hiding wiring and mounting components.
Shorter whips are usually easier to live with on an ATV. We generally recommend a 1ft whip for most ATV setups, although a 2ft Cyclone can also work when additional height is wanted.
Pay particular attention to steering movement, suspension travel, heat from the engine and exhaust, and areas where boots or cargo may contact the wiring.
Do LED Whips Need a Relay?
Most Woody's Lights whips can technically operate through a properly rated rocker switch, with the exception of the higher-power Big Woody X system.
However, we recommend using a relay and fuse whenever possible. A relay allows the rocker switch to control the circuit without requiring the switch itself to carry the full lighting load.
See our complete LED whip wiring guide for product-specific recommendations.
Where Should LED Whips Be Mounted on a UTV?
There isn't one correct mounting location for every machine. Rear roll-cage and rear crossbar locations are common because they provide good visibility and usually offer convenient places to secure the mounts and route wiring.
The best location is one that provides a solid mounting point, keeps the whips clear of other accessories, allows safe wire routing, and works with the height and riding environment of your machine.
Can I Install LED Whips Myself?
Many riders install their own LED whips with basic hand tools and electrical knowledge. The mechanical installation is generally straightforward, but you should be comfortable making safe 12-volt electrical connections and protecting the circuit appropriately.
If you're unsure about the electrical side of the installation, there's nothing wrong with having a powersports shop or qualified installer handle that portion for you.
What Size LED Whips Should I Install?
For most UTV and SXS riders, we recommend 2ft whips as the best all-around starting point. They provide plenty of visibility while remaining easier to manage around garages, enclosed trailers, and wooded trails.
Shorter 1ft whips are great when clearance is the priority, while 3ft and 4ft whips provide more height and visual presence when overhead clearance isn't a concern.
For a full comparison, see What Length LED Whips Should I Buy?
Still Have Installation Questions?
Every machine is a little different. If you're installing Woody's Lights and aren't sure about mounting, wiring, controllers, or which components you need, reach out and tell us what you're working with.
We'll help point you in the right direction.
Ask Woody's Lights Shop LED Whips
Better lights. Better support. No runaround.