Quirky overhead LED mod - cheap!

I'll warn you now - sorry, no pics, but it's a SIMPLE mod. It took me less than 20 minutes and cost me $2.95. I didn't have a camera with me.

I installed a small red LED inside the sunglasses/remote tray in the overhead console. I keep 3 remotes on velcro in there - garage door, house security system and gate opener. Now when I open the little door, the red LED shines on the remotes (or maybe glasses in your case). The best part is, now I won't forget to close it and continually whack my head on it when I get in the truck. I access those remotes in the dark every day.

If you want to do it, here's how:

1. get yourself a small (needs to be nearly flush mount) 12V LED.

2. pull out the overhead console - one screw and 2 metal clips - there are instructions all over this site for taking it out. Disconnect the 2 (one large, one small) wiring harness plugs.

3. Set the console on your bench. Looking into the large wire harness plug as if you were plugging into it, the upper right wire is 12V switched by the ignition. The one next to it is a ground wire.

All the wires are black, so if you want to verify what they are, the male plug that plugs into this female plug is back in your truck. You SHOULD verify with a meter, that the green wire is 12V switched, and the black w/white tracer is a ground wire. Look at their orientation and tap into the right wires on the overhead console harness.

4. Drill the correct size hole for your LED so that the light faces towards the front of the truck, at the sunglasses holder when open. Tap into the aforementioned wires for power to the LED.

5. Reinstall the overhead console and you're done.

Note 1: Yes, the LED will be on whenever the truck is running (or the key is on). You won't see it when the sunglasses holder is closed.

Note 2: LEDs come in different brightnesses, so note its brightness value so you can change it if yours ends up too bright or too dim.

Note 3: Sorry for no pics. You shouldn't be doing this if you don't have a meter to verify your wire taps, or you don't know the basics about how to do something like this! I just wanted you guys to know that this can be done and it's easy to figure out how.

Enjoy (if you ever do it)

Roger

 

As I said in the original post guys, sorry for no pictures. It wasn't possible at the time and place I did the mod. I said that up front. If you can't manage to do the mod or use your imagination enough to interpret it, that's a problem you need to deal with!

Personally, 2 posts telling me it's a worthless post is pretty worthless and a waste of time! So there!

 

I really just want to see what it looks like done so I can decide whether or not I want to spend the time and energy up there.

Edit: Also with the LEDs I have been using if it is aimed poorly I will temporarily blind myself at night when I open the door.

 

I'm a visual learner...

 

"Nah, you guys aren't worth a reply...", he said, as he replied to say he wasn't going to reply, to the guys with absolutely no imagination, who want everything handed to them on a freakin' platter, so a moron can do a mod without thinking... See, it's a reflection of the intelligence of some people. Heh.

All said with a smile.

 

ka click... wow, that was easy...

 

Not to drag up an old thread.

I just put in 2 3w amber LEDs in the overhead compartment to shine down at the center console area. I'm hoping the effect is correct. I'll post pics of that when I get some at night time

Here is a pic of the wiring. From the initial post: