Under the Hood LED Lighting

Hello All,
This is my first “real” post, I just got my Tacoma on Friday and have been doing all kinds of things to it. I went through the list of quick links for modifications and looked at the engine bay lighting mods, I personally did not like anything I saw. I used a 20 inch LED strip from AZ and installed everything today. I hate seeing crappy wiring jobs and poor workmanship so it took longer than normal to run the wiring and work up a fused terminal block.

The finished product. It is dark out side... I think the light output is perfect.


Here is the pin that I fabricated. When the hood is closed it interrupts the ground, causing the circuit to be "open", killing the light. As soon as the hood is popped the light energizes.


And finally my power solution. The block is mounted to the fuse box, all four slots are powered with 12v, leaving me 3 more areas to expand out too for future projects. There is an inline fuse on the other side of the cover that is directly connected to the 12v power from the battery.


And thats all, let me know your thoughts!

 

Excellent work! I'd love to see a thorough write up. My new Taco is begging for this.

 

Thanks! If people are interested I could go through and take some detailed pictures with explanations.

 

How did you run your wire from your hood to your switch. I did this a while ago and im curious if you ran your wire like i did, or if you came up with something more hidden. I ran mine near the hood hinge. Ill post a pic when i get home.

 

I ended up using duplex wire and running it through the hood completely tucked. I put a grommet in the base of the hood and then ran the wires into the stock wiring harness.

 

looks good details would be appreciated

 

Nice work...

 

Im on duty right now, Ill make a write soon. BM? "MLBdriver" im assuming you mean 47MLB (or 41)?

 

Nice. Very interested on that hood pin switch you used. I ended up using a rocker switch and mounted it on the fuse box lid. I would rather use the pin switch but had a hard time finding one. Where'd you get yours!?

btw here's mine. strips are form Superbrightleds. Have lasted for a couple years at least now. And never pealed off. Have a section of 3 led's that recently burnt out but no biggie. Also ran mine through the hood supports and down by the hood hinge.

 

A more detailed write up would be greatly appreciated

 

Yeah, Col. Crow give us a writeup. I too like your finished look vs the "stuck together with spit and bailing wire" approach (not that I've ever done that-nope not me

 

Alright alright! I'm making a writ up right now guys. Check back tonight!