Posted 10.23.26 in Tips & Instructions
Roll into the lot after dark with color chasing around all four wheels, and the truck gets a crowd before you shut it off. That is the job of wheel lights for trucks. XKGLOW builds two XKmax ring kits for it: the standard XKmax Wheel Ring Lights kit and the XKmax ULTRA 3-Row kit.
Each kit mounts four addressable RGBW rings to the brake dust shields behind your wheels, and both run on the XKmax app. They split on LED rows and ring sizes, and the ULTRA adds wiring for long wheelbases. Fit on your truck comes before any of that.
What Both XKmax Ring Kits Give Your Truck
Both are fifth-generation XKmax kits. Each reinforced aluminum ring holds fully potted light tubes, a build XKGLOW rates for superior impact and IP67 water resistance. That matters on a truck that lives with rain and road spray.
Every ring combines 16 million-color RGB LEDs with a dedicated white LED, and the whole RGBW set is addressable. That lets the rings run chasing patterns and flowing color effects. Set them to white and the dedicated LED gives you bright pure white from the same ring.
Pair a phone over Bluetooth and the XKmax app opens 28-plus pre-built chasing themes. You can tune each theme's colors, patterns, speed, and brightness, or create your own in the DIY builder. Music and Speed Sync ties the rings to what is playing, how fast you drive, or how hard you accelerate.
One controller handles as many as 10 lighting zones. Both kits also take a 4-button key fob for quick-access control, sold as an add-on at $16.79 per fob.
Three sensor wires link the rings to the truck's own lighting. Tapped as specified, they put the rings to work as turn signals and brake lights. A courtesy-light sync switches the rings to pure white whenever a door opens. Each kit's feature list also names a programmable startup mode.
Both instruction sheets tell you to check local and state laws for proper use of the kit, and neither product page lists a road-legal rating.
Standard vs ULTRA: Where the Two Kits Split
| XKmax Wheel Ring Lights | XKmax ULTRA 3-Row | |
|---|---|---|
| SKU | MX-WHEEL-KIT | MX-WHEEL-KIT-ULTRA |
| List price at the time of writing | $551.99 | $719.99 |
| LED rows per ring | Not listed | 3 |
| Ring size choice | One size, no size option | 16.5 in or 15.5 in |
| Brightness rating on the page | Up to 80% brighter than competitors | None listed |
| Controller option | 4-channel upgrade, +$24 | Not listed |
| Extra 13 ft wires included | None noted | 2, for longer wheelbases |
| Rated install time | 4+ hrs | 4+ hrs |
The ULTRA's headline difference is in its name. It carries three rows of RGBW LEDs on every ring, while the standard kit lists no row count. You also choose the ring size: the larger 16.5-inch or the smaller 15.5-inch, depending on your wheel setup.
For a truck owner, the ULTRA adds one practical detail. Its instruction sheet lists two extra 13-foot wires in the box for longer wheelbases. The standard kit carries no such note and lists no wire lengths at all.
The standard kit wins on price, listing $168 below the ULTRA. The standard kit is also the one XKGLOW rates up to 80% brighter than competitors; the ULTRA page carries no brightness figure. It also offers a 4-channel XKmax controller upgrade for $24. It comes in a single ring size with no selector. Confirm that size against your truck with XKGLOW.
Measure Your Truck Before You Order
Neither kit's page ties a ring size to a rim size or a truck model. Each page puts trucks on its universal-fit list, alongside cars, Jeeps, ATVs, and UTVs. What decides fit on your truck is the space around the brakes and behind the wheel.
XKGLOW makes that the first real check of the install, before any brake parts come off. With the wheel removed, you hold a ring up to the face of the rotor to check clearance around the caliper. Then you hold it to the back side of the wheel. The ring has to clear both before the install goes any further.
You can run the same checks before you buy anything. Pull one wheel, measure the room around the caliper at the rotor face, and measure the room behind the wheel. Send those numbers to XKGLOW at xk@xkglow.com with your truck's year, model, trim, and wheel size, and get the ring size confirmed first.
Oversized dust shields have an answer too: you may need to shorten the mounting brackets on the rings or move them to clear the caliper.
Next, measure the wire run from where the controller will sit to your farthest wheel. On a truck, the rear rings can sit a long way from the controller. Each kit offers XKmax extension wires in 3-foot, 6-foot, and 13-foot lengths, in 2-piece or 4-piece packs.
Check the product title too. XKGLOW also lists an older XKchrome ring kit with RGB LEDs and its own XKchrome app. The two kits in this guide are XKmax.
Inside the 4+ Hour Install
XKGLOW rates both kits at 4+ hours, and the instruction sheet shows where the time goes. You test every light before anything is mounted. Then the truck goes up on jack stands and the wheels come off for the clearance check.
After that, the calipers and rotors come off to expose the dust shields. Each ring slides over its shield, and you mark and drill three holes to bolt it on with the supplied hardware. Then the brakes go back on.
Wiring comes next. You route the extension wires and tap the optional sensor wires with the included T-tap connectors. The provided screws or zip ties keep the runs tidy. Power goes to the battery, then you download the XKmax app and scan the QR code on the sheet to load your kit presets.
Both instruction sheets recommend installation by a licensed professional. Their warranty terms exclude damage from improper installation. If you would rather not pull your own brakes, both kit pages link a Find an Expert dealer locator.
Standard or ULTRA: Which Kit Fits Your Truck
Go standard for the full XKmax feature set at the lower list price, plus the 4-channel controller option. Go ULTRA 3-Row for three LED rows on every ring, the smaller 15.5-inch size, or those extra 13-foot wires.
Each kit also offers XKmax rock pods or 24-inch tubes under its "Make it even brighter" options. Any lights you add get configured in the same app. XKGLOW's guide to choosing truck LED lights places wheel rings alongside rock lights and interior kits for a full build.
Get your clearance numbers, decide who pulls the brakes, and the right ring kit for your truck becomes an easy call. Build yours today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best wheel lights for trucks?
The best wheel lights for a truck clear its brakes and wheels and give you real control over the look. XKGLOW's XKmax rings bring addressable RGBW chasing, app themes, and three sensor wires for turn and brake functions. Choose the standard kit for price or the ULTRA 3-Row for three LED rows.
How much are wheel lights for trucks?
XKGLOW's standard XKmax ring kit lists at $551.99 and the ULTRA 3-Row at $719.99, at the time of writing. Add-ons change the total: a key fob costs $16.79, and extension wire packs run $14.38 to $81.56. Check the product pages for current prices.
What's better, rock lights or wheel lights?
Neither is better, because they light different parts of the truck, and you can run both. Rock lights cover the ground under the truck; wheel rings mount behind each wheel and light the wheels themselves. Both XKmax ring kits offer rock pods as add-ons, and added lights are set up in the XKmax app.
What are the different sizes of wheel lights available for trucks?
XKGLOW's ULTRA 3-Row comes in 16.5-inch or 15.5-inch rings, and the standard XKmax kit comes in a single size. Neither page matches ring size to rim size. Measure the clearance around your caliper and behind your wheel, then confirm the size with XKGLOW before you order.
