DIY Lighted Glovebox

i ran a line from the same tap I used for my under hood lighting. not difficult, just requires a little patience like everything else...

maybe if you're already cutting wires back there? (locker anytime?)
not saying i would do that. like i said, i kept all of my leds on their own add a circuit

 

I've had this mod on the back burner for a while now but got it done today. It definitely should have come from Toyota like this.

 

There you are again hahah
Any luck with that? I'm trying to do the same but can only find the add a circuit write ups .. Might have to go that route instead

 

I ended up connecting to the radio constant power.

 

Hows that holding up? I will look for a radio constant power thread. Might just stick with the add a circuit though cuz i will eventually need to pull power for the center console as well.

 

That wouldn't be a bad idea. Yea I can't remember which write it was. I ran my center console light from a constant power by the interior fuse panel.

 

what kind of push buttons are those?

 

post #10

 

sub'd!!

 

Finally took the recommendations in this forum and installed mine...glovebox with momentary switch and LED strip, then moved on to the Center Console compartment. Worked out quite well, took some time but got through it all. Decided to mount momentary switch in console door to avoid breaking it off accidentally with the swipe of a hand or arm. Cover has plenty of room inside once it is taken apart with a few screws. Had to do some fancy wire routing down the hinge. Everything appears to be out of the way just like I wanted...used a tap to get to the console power from the glovebox power wire and a final Add a Circuit to the dash fuse box to finalize. The mini switches were available at my local Radio Shack and lights are from interior vehicle LED's at Walmart. Worked out quite well with the help of this forum...Thanks guys. Wes.

Glovebox




Center Console

 

Great job! Just be careful that the wire passing through the hinge if the console lid is routed so it twists when you open and close the lid, and doesn't bend. If it is bending, it won't last long. The wire will break after a few bends.

 

Here's what I did. I purchased a 3-pack of motion activated LED strips from Amazon.com for about $19.00.

$19 Kuled® Cabinet LED Light, Motion Auto Sensing LED Lights, DIY Stick-on Anywhere Portable 10-led Wireless Motion Sensing Closet Cabinet LED Night Light / Stairs Light, Step Light Bar with Magnetic Strip for Trunk Led Light / Cabinet / Drawer / Bar Sets / Ho

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010Y1U1JO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As the picture shows, they are about 7" long. The back has a self-adhesive magnetic strip. I put four AAA alkaline batteries in, removed the backing, stuck the magnet to the roof of the glove box, stuck the light to it, and voila. When I open the glove box the light comes on. Close it, the light goes off. So far, the lights have been working with the original batteries going on two years now. Cost to light my glove box... $6.34. No wires, no switches, no hassle. The other two lights are in my center console, and my Lear cap. Open the hatch, light comes on. These also work well under the hood, but instead of using the enclosed magnets, I used heavy duty Velcro. With the magnet mount, slamming the hood caused it to fall off. Lucky for me it ended up on the garage floor.

 

Now that's EZ PZ!!! Good idea
Think I'll use this for glove box and console
Already have hood and bed lights

 

Im going this route for the glove box. Early GM, Ford, Dodge, etc Pre-1970 had a nice fully integrated glove box switch. Upgrade the bulb to LED and call it a day.

 

You will need to add a ground unless you can find some metal to drill into for the switch/light to sit in.

 

That's a given, the point is the economy and utility of an all in one piece that was purpose made over 40 years ago to do what car manufacturers should have by now added as a standard feature...

 

Subd

Definitely looking forward to getting this done
Ordered the switch today, in the meantime. Where did everyone ground their lights

 

LOL " on the ground..." OK, OK couldn't resist. But more to the point, any good point where you can get a chassis ground (or earth if you will) will do. So look for a screw or bolt the goes into the body or attach your ground wire to another ground wire attachment point somewhere under the dash. Hope this helps

 

http://imoviequotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/102-Tropic-Thunder-quotes.gif

it was a long day gimmie a break

 

That looks clean man. I like your work.