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Additional Headliner / Rear Cab Lighting - Ideas?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by steveo27, Feb 27, 2018.

  1. Feb 27, 2018 at 10:29 PM
    #1
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    Steve
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    The same shit everyone else has.
    Access cab truck, already upgraded the map lights and dome lights to LEDs.

    I like the light output of the LEDs on the front seats of the truck, but the dome light doesnt add enough light to the rear portion of the cab.

    I use my truck for hunting/fishing/camping a lot and have upgraded/added lighting to most other areas of the truck to make it more functional including puddle lights, under door lights, under the rear bumper, under the bed rails, and in the topper to make life easier in the dark.

    The rear seats of the truck have been removed and replaced with a platform for storage which gets used a lot on trips/outings. The dome light does not provide enough light over said platform for digging through gear in the dark.

    I would like to add additional lighting to the back half of the cab above the platform.

    I was kicking around the idea of using a few of these sunk into the headliner -

    [​IMG]

    I use them as both puddle lights and under bumper lights and Im happy with them.

    Im just not 100% sold on adding additional holes in the headliner yet.

    Has anyone else added additional lighting to the rear of their access/double cabs?

    Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Criticisms?
     
  2. Feb 27, 2018 at 10:41 PM
    #2
    Muddinfun

    Muddinfun Well-Known Member

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    There are LED panels with a hole bunch of LEDs that fit in dome lights and have a festoon adapter with wires that go to the panel. That should give you more than enough light.
     
  3. Feb 28, 2018 at 7:51 AM
    #3
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    Right.

    That's what is in there. The light shines great over the center console but doesn't add enough light to where I want more light.
     
  4. Feb 28, 2018 at 8:19 AM
    #4
    GHOST SHIP

    GHOST SHIP hates you.

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    I like your idea of adding the button lights for the rear. The only problem I have is that since it's overhead lighting, it's very easy to block as you reach in to get things and out in the woods in the dark, the cast shadows would still cause you problems. I am installing something a little more task-specific where I can move the light to where I need it. Using a goose-neck LED light and a simple 90* bracket. All it needs it a power wire and should be good to go since it has it's own switch on the housing:

    https://www.amazon.com/PilotLights-...1519834007&sr=8-68&keywords=gooseneck+led+12v
     
  5. Mar 2, 2018 at 8:42 PM
    #5
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    Interested in seeing how this turns out.

    I think with 3 or 4 bulbs, I should have enough light even blocking 1 or 2 of them but Im still weighing options
     
  6. Mar 3, 2018 at 7:22 AM
    #6
    badger

    badger Well-Known Member

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  7. Mar 4, 2018 at 8:27 PM
    #7
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    interested to see how this turns out as well
     
  8. May 3, 2018 at 9:45 PM
    #8
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    Welp. Finally sorted this out after forgetting about it for a while.

    I added 2 LEDs to the headliner WITHOUT drilling any additional holes.

    Parts used -

    - LED bolt lights w/ nuts
    - Fender washers
    - 3/8" fuel line

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Drilled the fender washers out to fit the lights. Cut the rubber hose to fit the lights. Added the nuts on the lights and tightened them up.



    Install -

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Nothing too fancy. Removed the coat hanger hooks because they are useless. The diameter of the holes from them were a hair bigger than the OD of the 3/8" rubber fuel line. Cranked the nuts down tight on the LED bolts to expand the rubber fuel line until it fit snug in the holes. The rubber fuel line basically acts as a blind expanding nut inside the holes.

    Fed the wires in, then looped them back out through the little notch in the hole. Wired the LEDs to the dome light. Pushed the LED bolts in tight. They hold in by pressure because of the rubber fuel line being expanded.

    Result -

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    100% happy with the outcome considering I didnt have to drill holes in my headliners.
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2018
  9. May 3, 2018 at 10:23 PM
    #9
    squint0241

    squint0241 OVRLND

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    Outstanding idea..:thumbsup: You're right...wtf are the coat hooks for anyways. Who the hell hangs clothes in the back...:rofl:
     
  10. May 3, 2018 at 10:25 PM
    #10
    squint0241

    squint0241 OVRLND

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    You should list a link to the parts you used. Btw..where did you tap the wires in to?
     
    Kuntrykid likes this.
  11. May 3, 2018 at 10:27 PM
    #11
    steveo27

    steveo27 [OP] Ask me about my weiner

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    The same shit everyone else has.
    Thanks. The coat hangers are completely useless. These lights are completely useful.

    The LED bolts are from Amazon. -

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MXIQFFW/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

    Be warned they are NOT waterproof at all.

    Rubber hose is just plain ol 3/8" rubber fuel line.

    The fender washers are 1.25" OD. I drilled the centers out with a step bit to fit the shank of the LEDs. Then painted them.



    I tapped into the dome light circuit at the plug at the dome light. Shortest path to power.
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2018
    squint0241 likes this.
  12. Nov 6, 2018 at 4:16 PM
    #12
    wahoobie

    wahoobie TacomaTuning.com

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    Gonna use this idea in my 3rd gen and run a reading light switch for my kids into the front row overhead console. Thank you!!
     
  13. Nov 6, 2018 at 6:11 PM
    #13
    winkel

    winkel Well-Known Member

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    Sliders, Tailgate Liner
    I have some of those lights but haven't done anything with them yet. I have a 12 volt adapter I hooked one up to, to see how bright they are. They are really bright for being so small.
    I've read the reviews on Amazon and all are pretty favorable but they do say they get pretty warm if you leave them on for long. Keep that in mind.
    Nice job though. Not trying to poo poo this at all. I think it's really cool and a great idea!
     
  14. Nov 14, 2018 at 10:51 AM
    #14
    MinerTaco

    MinerTaco Active Member

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    I was looking to do something similar. But want to add a switch near the door for the additional lights that will work independently of the dome light. I’ll post some pics once I get started
     
  15. Nov 14, 2018 at 10:53 AM
    #15
    Blais03

    Blais03 Guess I'll bring a spare wheel bearing...

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    This is AWESOME! @LivinLoud check out these apples!
     

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