Rear Hatch Area Light

[Seanz0rz]

I bought one package of: http://www.amazon.com/Ledcreelight-waterproof-Density-Flexible-connector/dp/B00B3T8H8O/ref=pd_sim_hi_75

I wired it into the dome light, but might put a switch between it and the dome light.

Did this today. Hardest bit was getting wire through the side of the rear door. ended up using a piece of string tied to a 3/8" socket extension. Besides the 2 hours getting the wire through the door, the rest took about an hour.

Didn't get pics of the process, but here is the finished product:

Installed:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Lighting/IMAG0275_zps94a20393.jpg (http://s955.photobucket.com/user/hamiltonfabrication/media/Lighting/IMAG0275_zps94a20393.jpg.html)

On in daylight:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Lighting/IMAG0276_zps1a248280.jpg (http://s955.photobucket.com/user/hamiltonfabrication/media/Lighting/IMAG0276_zps1a248280.jpg.html)

On at night:
http://i955.photobucket.com/albums/ae38/hamiltonfabrication/Lighting/IMAG0279_zps4253655f.jpg (http://s955.photobucket.com/user/hamiltonfabrication/media/Lighting/IMAG0279_zps4253655f.jpg.html)


At one of the points where you can cut the light, the ribbon is broken. as long as it stay in place, it works fine, but if it get bumped it stops sending power to the rest of the strip. I will have to go in and solder that back together this weekend.

I am very pleased. Hopefully it holds up well!

[Jaydee914]

Hey Sean, where'd you get that idea? ;)
Looks great - super handy, huh?

[paddlenbike]

Hey Sean, where'd you get that idea? ;)
Looks great - super handy, huh?

Nice. The hatchlight has been one of my favorite mods.

I know you have seen this photo, but what a difference compared to stock!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-JJXNrtsTEK0/Tdyfn5ZyEcI/AAAAAAAAHdI/dJHp2gtZe3k/s640/DSC_0292.JPG

[Seanz0rz]

JD, I had been planning on doing this for years, just getting to it! But seeing how nice yours were finally gave me a kick to do it.

having the light back there is REALLY nice, and will make camping and working on the truck much easier!

[slomatt]

Nice work!

I have some information on where you can get 12v (switched on when the hatch is open) inside the rear hatch on my website if you are interested, that way you don't have to run any new wires.

http://wwww.blankwhitepage.com/automotive/2000-toyota-4runner/led-interior-lights

- Matt

[Seanz0rz]

Thanks for posting that Matt. I wanted mine wired through the dome light, so I didn't have much choice.

[Good Times]

Sean,

Sorry late in the game here but lookin sexy! I was thinking of doing something similar for the Land Cruiser's rear lift gate too.

Tempting!

[Seanz0rz]

super easy!

I went ahead and drilled a bunch of holes for zip ties, but i think if you prepped the surface correctly, the supplied 3M tape would have no problem lasting a while.

The other thing I would do differently is skip using the first few feet of the strip for something like this. The tape was worthless, some of the adhesive wasn't where it was suppose to be, and I have that failure about 6 inches in (fixing that this week, I'll post it up here too.

I also might sand the outside to soften the light a bit.