Easy and cheap trunk light mod

[Dandon]

Hi all,
as you may have noticed, the trunk ceiling light is quite pathetic. Finding something there in the dark without a flashlight can be difficult. I bought this LED strip from Dealextreme for 10 $ incl S&H:

DealExtreme: $10.44 12V 75-LED White Light Strip (50cm)

The difference in light output is like night and day.
I've installed it in about 10 minutes in the rear part of the ceiling, where there is a trim part that can be easily removed (just pull down and rearwards). The light strip is then held in place just by this trim, without the white plastic housing.
Connection is in parallel with the rear ceiling bulb, so that it works the same as this one, and routing the wire between the sheet metal and the ceiling trim.
The pictures don't really show the difference in ligh intensity, which is very big. And it draws only about 500 mA (6W).
I need to think about some translucent cover to make it more discrete, but for now it stays this way for my holidays.

 

[uzj100]

That is very cool and useful and inexpensive. I will google search for us USA folks.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Dutchy]

Nice place i have some of those strips left over... thnx for the good idea!

 

[Dandon]

These Dealextreme guys send almost everywhere (including USA) from China with FREE shipping. It's unbelievable but true, I've bought several items from there.

 

[100 TD]

Thanks Dandon
Have been wanting something like this for a while, I was going to use fluros, I just ordered 2, one I will put on the back tailgate at the bottom of the glass so when the gate is up it throws light out the back and onto the bottom gate.

 

[Dandon]

one I will put on the back tailgate at the bottom of the glass so when the gate is up it throws light out the back and onto the bottom gate.

Hey, that's also a good idea. In fact I also ordered two, the other one was intended for mi wife's car... but... hmmmm...

 

[Dutchy]

Hmm and one under the hood... always handy to have a light there. Just attach it on the inside of the hood.

 

[Liam]

Hmm and one under the hood... always handy to have a light there. Just attach it on the inside of the hood.

now that is a good idea...

 

[2000UZJ]

I dunno how bringht they really are. But possibly to add some sleek looking backup lights.

I'm gunna order some.

Dandon- where did you wire them into? The dome light for the cargo area?

 

[spressomon]

Here's our stateside source:

Waterproof rigid and flexible LED strips.

Great idea Dandon!

 

[Dutchy]

Here's our stateside source:

Waterproof rigid and flexible LED strips.

Great idea Dandon!

That ain't cheap anymore lol .. same amount of light more bucks..

 

[bamachem]

here's some LED strip lights for $8 each.

CoastalNightLights.com

email the guy (Chris) and he may be able to find something more along the lines that you're looking for.

his products are top-notch and he stands behind them 100%

 

[2000UZJ]

well, possibly if we all order from spressomons source, we can get a discount on something.

oh, spressomon, whats the bar on your TJM? looks like a LED light bar, but i could be wrong.

im gunna shoot them an emial for more insight into this (incase we decide to possibly do a small group buy)

im in for the LED lights, they look light a great idea for many reasons.

 

[hoser]

Nice, cheap mod, Dandon!

If one wants to pimp it out some more, you can use these multicolor LED's from IKEA. 4 strips, 10" long each and cost $50. They can switch between 7 colors or stay on one color. You just cut the adapter off and it works on 12V. This idea is from GPWPAT on the Expo forum.

 

[spressomon]

well, possibly if we all order from spressomons source, we can get a discount on something.

oh, spressomon, whats the bar on your TJM? looks like a LED light bar, but i could be wrong.

im gunna shoot them an emial for more insight into this (incase we decide to possibly do a small group buy)

im in for the LED lights, they look light a great idea for many reasons.

They are VisionX Solstice LED pods. Liquid daylight

 

[Campfire]

....
oh, spressomon, whats the bar on your TJM? looks like a LED light bar, but i could be wrong.

im gunna shoot them an emial for more insight into this (incase we decide to possibly do a small group buy)

im in for the LED lights, they look light a great idea for many reasons.

They are VisionX Solstice LED pods. Liquid daylight

And I've seen them at night. Very impressive with a great wide pattern for offroad.

 

[100 TD]

well, possibly if we all order from spressomons source, we can get a discount on something.

Just in case you don't realize, the price of Dandons (DealExtreme) lights INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING to any country, I bought 2 shipped to Australia for the same price.

 

[2000UZJ]

Just in case you don't realize, the price of Dandons (DealExtreme) lights INCLUDE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING to any country, I bought 2 shipped to Australia for the same price.

i ordered some. the group buy couldnt really go anywhere if the product was less then 10 bucks. figured that after i posted. oh well

nothin like saving 37 cents though

 

[Kigiin]

Anyone else do this mod?

I purchased the exact same light as the OP, but don't see it being a 10 minute install. I removed the rear trim piece (that was easy enough), but don't see an equally easy way to tie into the dome ceiling light. It looks like the entire ceiling panel would have to be removed and it is tucked slightly underneath the side panel pieces, which might too have to be removed.

Further, while no big deal, the wires on the light are only a few inches long so some extra wire will need to be spliced in to reach the dome.

 

[Kigiin]

Ok, got around to installing it this morning. It wasn't a 10 minute install, but it probably would have only taken me 20 minutes if I didn't need to run to the hardware store for tap connectors and 18 gauge wire.

The only small challenge was getting two tap connectors in next to the plug going into the dome assembly. There was only about 3 inches of wire to work with.

Probably just buying George's LED light would have been easier, but I saw this thread before that one.