corax
02-21-2010, 06:09 PM
LED madness has taken over with numerous threads on the subject, but you can't argue with the light output and low current draw these offer.
I found these overpriced LED strips from Autozone and decided to upgrade the interior lighting in my 4runner since the “Deck Light” is all but useless. These cost $15, but 1/2 the price is probably due to the “TRY ME” switch and battery in the package. The same type LED strip lights can be found online for about $12/foot (try google shopping (http://www.google.com/products?q=waterproof%20led%20strip&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGLT_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf) or ebay "weatherproof LED strip") and can be cut into 4” sections – then it’s just a matter of soldering 2 wires onto each separate section. Measured current draw on both is 20-30mA (leave them on constant for a few days and the vehicle should still start) and best of all it’s an easy connection as these run straight off 12V (no need for a LED regulator).
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/100_5670.jpg
Mounted them in the rear corners & drilled a 1/8” hole for the wires to pass through. These have 3M tape already on them, so just clean the shell and stick ‘em on (if you’ve never used 3M tape before, make sure the lights are where you want them because they won’t move once the tape makes contact).
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/100_5676.jpg
The upper rear section of the shell is hollow and connects to the “d” pillar, but I still had to use a stiff piece of wire to run my LED wires into the pillar. Here’s the wiring at the base of the “d” pillar – I used a spare 2 pin Toyota connector that I had lying around to connect the shell to the body.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/100_5674.jpg
All that’s left is to run two wires straight to the Deck Light itself – connect the LED wires to the wires going to the bulb and you’re done. I tried taking some night-time photos, but anyone who’s tried that before knows that night pics don’t work very well. Suffice it to say that now there’s plenty of light in the back, but not so bright as to be blinding (I could comfortably read a book by this light, even up by the front seats).
Here's 4crawler’s Deck Light Mod (http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/index.shtml#DeckLightMod) for some more info
I found these overpriced LED strips from Autozone and decided to upgrade the interior lighting in my 4runner since the “Deck Light” is all but useless. These cost $15, but 1/2 the price is probably due to the “TRY ME” switch and battery in the package. The same type LED strip lights can be found online for about $12/foot (try google shopping (http://www.google.com/products?q=waterproof%20led%20strip&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGLT_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf) or ebay "weatherproof LED strip") and can be cut into 4” sections – then it’s just a matter of soldering 2 wires onto each separate section. Measured current draw on both is 20-30mA (leave them on constant for a few days and the vehicle should still start) and best of all it’s an easy connection as these run straight off 12V (no need for a LED regulator).
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/100_5670.jpg
Mounted them in the rear corners & drilled a 1/8” hole for the wires to pass through. These have 3M tape already on them, so just clean the shell and stick ‘em on (if you’ve never used 3M tape before, make sure the lights are where you want them because they won’t move once the tape makes contact).
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/100_5676.jpg
The upper rear section of the shell is hollow and connects to the “d” pillar, but I still had to use a stiff piece of wire to run my LED wires into the pillar. Here’s the wiring at the base of the “d” pillar – I used a spare 2 pin Toyota connector that I had lying around to connect the shell to the body.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk171/batardsalamano/random%20projects/100_5674.jpg
All that’s left is to run two wires straight to the Deck Light itself – connect the LED wires to the wires going to the bulb and you’re done. I tried taking some night-time photos, but anyone who’s tried that before knows that night pics don’t work very well. Suffice it to say that now there’s plenty of light in the back, but not so bright as to be blinding (I could comfortably read a book by this light, even up by the front seats).
Here's 4crawler’s Deck Light Mod (http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/index.shtml#DeckLightMod) for some more info