Additional Headliner / Rear Cab Lighting - Ideas?

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 -



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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

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:

$28 PilotLights Mini Gooseneck Panel Light with Switch, Map Light, Post Light - 240mm - Cool White LED, 12VDC

https://www.amazon.com/PilotLights-...1519834007&sr=8-68&keywords=gooseneck+led+12v

 

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

 

Agreed, one center light casts too many shadows. I bought two LED RV interior lights like this:

$6 Lumitronics RV LED Lights Interior - LED Camper Ceiling Light Fixture with Switch 12V (Volt) - Removable Lens

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B010PDAB96/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Still on my list to get them installed, but one is going at each side of the access cargo area.

 

interested to see how this turns out as well

 

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






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 -









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 -





100% happy with the outcome considering I didnt have to drill holes in my headliners.

 

Outstanding idea.. You're right...wtf are the coat hooks for anyways. Who the hell hangs clothes in the back...

 

You should list a link to the parts you used. Btw..where did you tap the wires in to?

 

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.

 

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!!

 

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!

 

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

 

This is AWESOME! @LivinLoud check out these apples!