Rear Cargo Light Install

elmariachi · 04-26-05, 09:06 PM

Rather than bury this at the end of previous threads on the subject, I am posting this fresh. Here's a link to my quickie install of a center dome light assembly in the rear cargo area above the hatch.
http://www.jimreiss.com/landcruisers/

FYI per CDan, oak assemblies are now out of production, gray are still available. I picked up a couple oak ones from online salvage yards.

97 FZJ80 · 04-26-05, 09:49 PM

Thanks Jim! I'm looking forward to mounting my light following your instructions this weekend.

John

turbocruiser · 04-26-05, 09:52 PM

Very cool write up man, thanks for this!

beno · 04-26-05, 09:53 PM

Nice Jim. Thanks for sharing. ANother thing to put on the list.

Junk, make it a FAQ...

-onur
Akron, OH

RavenTai · 04-26-05, 10:04 PM

Nice detailed write up

LX_TREME · 04-26-05, 10:14 PM

Nice...

very detailed oriented you should post with George LED on the last pics

97 FZJ80 · 04-27-05, 12:50 PM

How about adding this thread to the 80 tech section?

Heffenoche · 04-27-05, 01:34 PM

Thanks for the write-up. I have light assembly, still need to get the led and I'm all set to go. I'll have to see if I can find the wiring harness since mine is a 94.

tucker74 · 04-27-05, 02:20 PM

Sweet - good thing my interior is gray!

Tucker

97 FZJ80 · 04-29-05, 04:34 PM

Jim,

Why did you cut the 4 molded standoff? I would think that the 4 standoffs would help prevent the light from mounting too far in crushing the headliner.

The light I have is probably from a 93/94 model as it has the additional metal back covers and does not have the 4 standoffs.

John

elmariachi · 04-29-05, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 FZJ80

Jim,
Why did you cut the 4 molded standoff? I would think that the 4 standoffs would help prevent the light from mounting too far in crushing the headliner.
The light I have is probably from a 93/94 model as it has the additional metal back covers and does not have the 4 standoffs.

After sticking it up in there is seemed that the standoffs were going to keep it from mounitng flush against the headliner, so I whacked them off. I have another one non-whacked and I may try it when I get some time. Post up a pic when you get yours in.

97 FZJ80 · 05-01-05, 09:18 AM

I will post pictures when I have it done. I'm losing the 80 for a week as the minivan is down.

I'll do a writeup later on why the 80 trumps the Honda Odyssey in performing minivan duties.

stayalert · 05-23-05, 08:32 AM

Thanks! Becasue of your post I pursued and completed this mod. Havn't tried it yet in the dark but it was pretty easy and straighforward to do......And CDan once again has demonstrated a level of service which I wish were more common.

Cheers
Rob M
Concord, MA '94 fz80

97 FZJ80 · 07-04-05, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmariachi

After sticking it up in there is seemed that the standoffs were going to keep it from mounitng flush against the headliner, so I whacked them off. I have another one non-whacked and I may try it when I get some time. Post up a pic when you get yours in.

I finally got the light installed in the 100F+ heat this weekend. The standoffs behind the 4 screw holes did not interfere with the light sitting flush with the headliner as they are only about 1/8 inch tall.

I do have the following notes to add to Jim's excellent installation instructions.

* I did not have to remove the seatbelt anchor on the D-pillar. I pulled the black rubber gasket out enough to allow the upper part of the D-pillar plastic cover pull out. This in turn allow me to access the hatch-to- headliner trim gasket under the D-pillar plastic trim.
* I did not cut off the 4 standoffs behind the 4 screw holes of the light. The light still fit flush
* I used 1" screw (factory screws were 3/4") to mount the light. Like Jim, my headliner were still pushed in just a bit. I might go back and replace the screws with 1-1/4" ones.
* The back of my dome light was significantly different than the light shown on Jim's website. In addition, the light I have has a metal shield behind the bulb.
* I used George's LED in place of the bulb.
* I did not remove the metal shield behind the bulb. As it is, the shield forced the LED to sit at an angle. This suited my use as I wanted the LED light to focus more light down/rear ward towards the tailgate. I did put electral tape around the metal shield to prevent the LED from shoring out.
* I purchase the light along with the electrical connector pigtail and about 6" of wires. It simplified things as I did not have to fabricate the light connector.
* I opted to tap the wiring at second row light with vampire taps for 18-22 gauge wires. I did not feel comfortable soldering wires within 6" of the headliner.

Here are the pictures of my installs.

Bryan E. · 07-05-05, 07:04 AM

Cool write up Jim.

Thanks Dude!

MoGas · 11-29-06, 08:09 PM

One thing I would like to add is that there is a wiring harness with the appropriate connector for a cargo area light in the top of the liftgate pillar on the US Driver's side. It is taped in there. Models that do not have factory 3rd row have a light back there and Toyota did not make a different harness just for non 3rd row vehicles. I found this out while removing my light that is designated for this mod from a salvage yard donor that had the headliner torn in the back. You just have to pull the windlass off and reach in there for it.

Dave

cool breeze · 04-10-08, 02:43 PM

Link doesn't work anymore... is there a new page?

Falco80 · 04-10-08, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoGas

One thing I would like to add is that there is a wiring harness with the appropriate connector for a cargo area light in the top of the liftgate pillar on the US Driver's side. It is taped in there. Models that do not have factory 3rd row have a light back there and Toyota did not make a different harness just for non 3rd row vehicles. I found this out while removing my light that is designated for this mod from a salvage yard donor that had the headliner torn in the back. You just have to pull the windlass off and reach in there for it.

Dave

Yep, like Dave said, the plug is already waiting for you...
A few of us guys in oz have done this mod and it works a treat. Myself and a few others have used a 48 Led light, picked up from a boating accesories store. I also replaced all the other interior lights with Led's and would recommend it to anyone interested. Cost me about $140 Aus, but it's nice and bright inside at night!

Nice work Jim using the factory light, looks the goods!

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NLXTACY · 05-29-08, 01:36 AM

Ugh ok I was just about to do this mod because I scored two OAK lights and when I go to the link, Jim's site is down. Being as this is directly connected to the FAQ section, any way to get the link working again? Especially since I would like to do this mod

Bluetribal · 05-29-08, 07:47 AM

I think I have the info you are looking for saved in a word doc. at home. On projects I plan to do I typically copy all the info to a word doc. so things like that don't happen. So if you don't get any further help today, PM me your e-mail address and I will send you what I have this evening......

cruisertom911 · 05-29-08, 08:14 AM

Cool write. Inspired me to pick one up from the junkyard while I was gettin some stuff for my Hilux. Found one in in the same color as the rest of 'em. Got the LED coming to me so I'm gonna get out today and see if I can find the wire up in the pillar and get this light mounted. Thanks

nuclearlemon · 05-29-08, 12:10 PM

it's a very simple mod. i did mine a couple weeks ago. mine was from some other toyota, but it was free. same idea though. i just pressed the light against the headliner to figure out where to cut the headliner (only a small center section has to be cut out to clear the back of the light assy). there is a recessed area in the rear body area.

i didn't know about the plug, but with a coat hanger, i pulled wires from the center domelight back and used heatshrinkable crimp connectors. my dome light was only two bolt hole, so drilled the holes and installed sheemetal screws. install led bulb. done.

RescueU · 06-03-08, 07:46 AM

Jim,

The link to your website is dead. Is there an updated link or did you post your write-up somewhere else on Mud?

Thanks.

Bluetribal · 06-03-08, 07:52 AM

Ahh crap, My Bad NL I totally forgot to e-mail you my info for this project. I have it on a sticky note now so I will send it this evening. Sean (RescueU), if you would like the info I could e-mail it to you as well if you PM me your e-mail address.

NLXTACY · 06-03-08, 08:54 AM

No love. No love

Why not post it up so that everyone can enjoy it?

Bluetribal · 06-03-08, 12:06 PM

I have a whole write-up planned but I was waiting till' I re-built my website. And I have been totally slacking on that. I will post them in my Mud album tonight and share the link.....