Center Console/ Glove Box Light (auto on/off when opened)

My version of an interior lights mod.

I finally got around to wiring my glove box and center console with some lights. I went with amber to keep a stock look. I also decided to put a different spin on it and make both of my lights only come on when the glove box or center console is open and the headlights are on. I did a write up because I have not seen any with pressure switches before. If you did this and there is a write up I missed then I apologize. For the MANY people out there that have added lights to the inside of their trucks thank you for the wonderful write ups and ideas.There are too many to give credit to and there for do not claim to be the sole originator of this idea. You all shared so I will add to the knowledge base that is TacomaWorld!

Every part I used I got from RadioShack, except for a few plastic washers and grommets I got from Lowes.

Major parts used;

Switches
The link are the switches I bought however the picture on the website is not what they looked like.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062540&filterName=Type&filterValue=SPST

LED's
Extra lengths of wire soldered and shrink wrapped.



http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062570

Inline fuse
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102783

Tap-In connectors
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2103500

Various crip connectors
I decided that because most of the areas are hard to get to, I would use a lot of crip connectors so that everything was easilly removed to replace LED's, check wires, or any other reason.


Glove Box

First the switches.

These are both "momentary" "normally closed (NC)" switches. In order to make them smaller I took the cap off and broke part of the tip off (see pic below). Once broke I soldered extra lengths of wire to them and then shrink wrapped the ends.



Removed plastic trim above glove box. It is held on by two clips and one 10mm bolt. After that I drilled two holes for the LED's and one (not shown here) on the far left just below the rubber stop for the switch.



Rubber grommets installed (more of a clean look).



I had to trim the back to so that the grommets would sit flush.



Wire (nest?), the picture makes it look a little disorganized but I wanted all the wires to be tight together just in case I ran into clearance issues. Turns out there was plenty of room. Oh well, less chance of snaging a wire. I ran one lead of the switch to the fuse and the other to "both" pos wires on the LED's. I did'nt want to run them in series so that if one went out, the other would still work. The other end of the fuse went to the power source (shown below).



Front view of the LED's and fuse (zip tied in place).



Switch placement



Additional view



Where I tapped for power on the climate control pannel. I would explain more but it is clearly seen in the picture.



I grounded to this bolt (10mm) on the right side kick pannel.



Center Console

I used the same type of switch that was used on the glove box. To removed the center console (no pix), removed the carpet insert inside the console and removed the two 10mm bolts. Remove the two philips head screws under the plastic trim that covers the shifter. The trim piece just pulls off.

Where I decided to place the switch. I used a small switch and this area was just the right size and was fully enclosed, meaning I wouldnt have to worry about hiding the wires. The switch took a little more abuse then I thought it would and still need to repaint both of them.



Inside view of the switch.



Additional view of the switch and LED



Where I placed the single LED. I only wanted one light in the center console. Bright lights at night drive me crazy and if I wanted something brighter I will just use the overhead.

BTW- It was a pain in the ass to drill here and even ended up scratching my console a little on the inside right below the LED. I used a right angle drill but it was still a tight fit. Even after using a punch and starting with a smaller bit, still had some jumping with the bits.



Inside view of the LED



This is where I tapped into power. I decided to go with the shift light so that I wouldnt have to take apart the rest of the console and it would be less distance. Removing the light is just a quarter turn and then it pushes out. I used some hook tools to remove the wire routing to make it easier.



In this picture you can see the light replaced and wire routed back over the clip.



I ran the fuse to the cup holder so that it would be easy to check and/or replace. It was run the same as the glove box.

Power- fuse/fuse- switch/switch-LED



Where I ran the ground, also a 10mm bolt.



That is basically it. I still owe pictures at night but I wanted to keep it short and simple. Really a very easy mod. It took me about 3 hours but I took my time and did one to completion at a time. I also spent some extra time using a test light to decide where I wanted to tap in at. I took a lot of time testing at every phase of the wiring because it turns out I only had the exact number of connectors I needed. I thought I would have extra but actually cut it pretty close. If anyone has any questions feel free to comment or PM me.

Again I give full credit to the multitude of others out there that have done this mod before me. The only change I made was possible some of the tie-in's and the addition of a push switch.

Happy MOD'ing!

-EDIT-

Night pictures

In retrospect I probably should have used two lights in the center console but it still works. It was only ment to grab something quick. If I need to look deeper or anything thats what the overhead is for. Sorry for the blurry pictures, I had to turn off my flash so the exposure rate was slow.

Center console



Glove box

 

It's not dark out yet!!

 

thx for the idea, i like the center console mod.

 

Thanks! Not a problem... I've stolen off write up's so figured it was only fair to do one of my own.

It was more of a fuction thing to me. I tryed the megnetic lights, but it gets so hot here that nothing short of super glue would make them stay in place. I really dont know why the Tacoma didnt come stock with at least a glove box light! I'm too old for any of the other crazy light stuff so I kept it simple!

 

Great Mod, Thanks for the write up, I will do the same mod...

 

Wow. That's nice.

Steve

 

Thanks!

BTW- That cows hot!

 

bump for "erazon"

 

Awsome. Very smart and clean

 

Thanks! I did steal the grommet idea though. It does leaves a more clean look. I tried to look up who I seen that do that before so I could give them credit but couldnt find the actual thread I was looking for.

 

Nice write up!
I'm putting this mod on my list.

 

Very nice, great write up!

 

I like it!

 

stealing your switch idea lol

 

Looks great! Sub'd for future mod

 

It's looks really good! Where did you get the grommets? Is this something I can get at Radio Shack too?

 

The grommets I got at Lowes, in the bolts and nuts section. I also got some thin plastic washers there so I would adjust the depth of the switch as needed. I had to play around a little so they would'nt be too shallow or too deep. Everything else was purchased at Radio Shack.

 

I like this mod - I'm surprised the Tacomas dont come with a light in the glove box stock. Good job with it!!

 

I'm thinking this should/will be the first mod for my Tacoma. I think Ill do green instead of the amber though. Just personal choice

 

Ok. gotcha. I guess I will make a stop over in that aisle when I am there getting my cam locks for the bins in the bed! Thanks.