Additional Cargo Lighting

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dukmon

dukmon

10 Year
Joined
Sep 15, 2014
Threads
50
Messages
914
Location
Greenville South Carolina
I know I've seen where one or two of you have added additional lighting onto the rear hatch for cargo lighting but the only thread I can find via the search engine is a photo posted by XPLOR R that give zero details.

I'd like to have something I can wire to operate in conjunction with the factory interior lights.

Now that I have these ARB Drawers, it's pretty dark back there. Right now I'm getting by with a flashlight but am saving my pennies for, one day, and LED upgrade.

What have some of you done?
 
Just ordered this...... think it may be suitable. Has its own rocker switch, rotates, not ugly (to me anyhoo....) and hopefully rattle free. I'll place rubber between the light and vehicle hatch contact points.



13.5" Swivel Utility LED Light Bar with Rocker Switch | Swivel LED Light Bars | Dome, Puck, & Recessed LED Lights | LED Boat Lights and Marine LED Lights | Super Bright LEDs
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I added a ≈500 lumen Maxxima work light to my rear hatch. I carefully mounted it only to the little pop out panel so I can always upgrade to something else and only replace the little $10 cover and have no residual holes. I painted it to match too. It's not gorgeous, but it made a huge difference. LED strip lights are super popular too.


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"It's not gorgeous"?

You are way too modest. It looks factory. Nice job.

Dukmon, I like yours also, especially since it swivels.
 
Thanks guys. Mine is on a separate switch wired to constant voltage because that's what I wanted, but you could also wire it to turn on and off with the factory lights or to an on-off-on switch for the ultimate in flexibility...
 
Any issues (possible) of having a full cargo area and your light slamming into something when closing the hatch, or is it pretty durable?

Starting to think I like your setup better than what I have in mind. I could fit a small switch somewhere in the back, I'm sure.
 
619TOY said:
I added a ≈500 lumen Maxxima work light to my rear hatch. I carefully mounted it only to the little pop out panel so I can always upgrade to something else and only replace the little $10 cover and have no residual holes. I painted it to match too. It's not gorgeous, but it made a huge difference. LED strip lights are super popular too.


View attachment 1300915
Click to expand...


I think I will try this.
 
619TOY said:
I added a ≈500 lumen Maxxima work light to my rear hatch. I carefully mounted it only to the little pop out panel so I can always upgrade to something else and only replace the little $10 cover and have no residual holes. I painted it to match too. It's not gorgeous, but it made a huge difference. LED strip lights are super popular too.


View attachment 1300915
Click to expand...


What type of paint did you use? Recall the color info? Looks like an exact match.
 
I installed the brightest led light from Equipt. Its simply screwed to the plastic trim on the back hatch. It has two power settings and a built-in switch.

When I installed the IBS system and deep cycle (Slee mount) I ran power to under the passenger seat for the fridge and HAM, the light taps into that power. Some pics of that are in the build thread: XPLOR R - 2014 200 Series Build
 
dukmon said:
What type of paint did you use? Recall the color info? Looks like an exact match.
Click to expand...

I'll need to check when I'm at work. It's SEM brand, you can usually find it automotive paint supply shops. It's probably "warm grey", but I'll need to verify...
 
I ended up going with the 9" model in lieu of the 13". Install was pretty easy. Instead of using screws to attach, I opted for 3M tape.

Light output is nice; not too crazy bright yet certainly bright enough. Wired to turn on/off with the other interior lights, it has it's own switch too. I think that it swivels will be handy.

I updated the interior lamps with LED's too.

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One day I might paint the end pieces to match the interior plastic.

That should get me on the podium in the Best Truck division for The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance......
 
619TOY said:
I'll need to check when I'm at work. It's SEM brand, you can usually find it automotive paint supply shops. It's probably "warm grey", but I'll need to verify...
Click to expand...

dukmon said:
One day I might paint the end pieces to match the interior plastic.
Click to expand...

Nice! Sorry for the delay, my normal sedentary life is in overdrive right now haha

The SEM color coat color is "Storm Grey", not "Warm Grey", although warm grey is really close too.
 
Finally got a chance to snap a pic of the Maxxima light. This is just the hatch light, dome lights are off.

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Now that I've had time to use the light I've added, it works well. I was afraid the wattage may have been too little and for the price I was concerned about durability. No worries. Happy I can remove later with no trace the light was ever installed and am pleased with the local switch and swivel action.

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Where did you guys get power for these hatch lights? Is there power in the hatch that is easy to tap in to?
 
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