Darth Vader Light (1 Viewer)

[David70FJ40]

Was the Darth Vader map light a feature of the FST's or was it on all of the LC's?

 

[tlaporte]

It appears to me that the Vader light is part number 81230-60011 and according to ToyoDIY.com that part suits FST models from 3/69-12/74.

 

[JohnnyC]

The Vader light was on LC's under the dash till 67'?

And on FST next to glovebox till 12/74

 

[David70FJ40]

Thank you!

 

[ClemsonCruiser]

Johnny I am pretty sure the Vader light ended in early cruisers in late 64/early 65 time frame with the introduction of the factory heater. As the placement of the heater and controls occupied the place the Vader previously went. HTH

 

[JohnnyC]

I had thought that as well... but... recall a talk/conversation on mud and also a 66' with it on

@Living in the Past most likely was a part of that conversation

 

[JohnnyC]

I believe the thing is as you said with heater it would not have that light

I think it was the heater used the same holes for mounting the bracket from a quick check

It could very well have been a nonheater model that was a 66' with it ... maybe living can spread some knowledge

 

[David70FJ40]

My '70 40 has the Vader light beside the glove box. Just wondered how long it was used.

 

[curtislow]

My '70 40 has the Vader light beside the glove box. Just wondered how long it was used.

My old 1973 had the light to the right of the glovebox, not a soft top.

 

[Living in the Past]

I believe the thing is as you said with heater it would not have that light

I think it was the heater used the same holes for mounting the bracket from a quick check

It could very well have been a nonheater model that was a 66' with it ... maybe living can spread some knowledge

Believe it was a 66 I removed a heater switch bracket from. As I remember it had the hole for the vader light (single large hole) and a coupled sheet metal screws holding the bracket. Do not remember any fixed nuts but it was a long time ago. With the 74 model Toyota changed the design of the front heater to include a vent on top. At that time the cowl vent was welded shut on 40s with a factory heater. Wasn't until the 77 that Toyota had removed the vent on 40 s with the factory heater and continued installing a operational vent on 40s without the factory heater. Seems it was common for Toyota made a change that effected something else and take a year or two to fix it. The Vader light was mounted under the dash on those that had ribs on them. 68 model US got the upper and lower padded dash. Many other market still had the ribs. Did the Vader move to the dash on those as well with the 68 model.

71-74 some hard tops came with a Vader light to the right of the glove box. Seen others that had the hole with the a rubber plug. Never determined how Toyota figured which 40s got the Vader light during that time period. Only 40 I have from those years is 73 FST that does have the light but should since it didn't have a hard top with a light.

I will add during this time Toyota was putting footman loops on the back corner of all models. This was a change because before that even the soft top models din't have footman loop but had been using twists to hold the soft top on in the corner since the mid sixties. By the same reasoning that all models had the footman loops makes sense standardizing the dash for all models. Jut not sure why some hard tops got the vader light and some got a plug.

 

[White Stripe]

How was the Vader light switched on and off?

 

[roadstr6]

How was the Vader light switched on and off?

Mine was switched by a little black pull switch to the left of the ash tray directly below the cigar lighter. Not sure if it was an OEM switch though.

 

[JohnnyC]

Little black pull switch is oem for the Vader light

 

[Trollhole]

Should be a few switches still floating around. I had a ton of reproductions made. Still have a ton. Only thing was the trim ring wasn't the same.

I would love if someone would reproduce the vador light. I'd even take a printed one and use a LED.

 

[srgould41]

My '71 had the light in the center of the dash up high and right next to the light pull switch. I removed the light and now use the pull switch to shut off the ignition circuit. My very own redneck security system.

 

[Living in the Past]

How was the Vader light switched on and off?

Little black pull switch is oem for the Vader light

Still not sure on the earlier under dash Vader lights. There was no separate switch on those. Probably time to did out some old FSM and look at the primitive wiring diagrams to see if the power to the Vader light is there. Seems I remember it shows power coming from the head light switch but don't remember it explaining more than that. Kind of like OEM fog light. Some switches had a extra terminal but not in concrete would it was for, unless I missed it. @JohnnyC

 

[David70FJ40]

I was talking with a body shop that was doing a restoration of a 74 and as we were talking he remarked he was getting a little sick. Seems he and his wife both want a FST and the hard top he is working on had all the signs of being a FST. Someone added a hard top at a later date. I was curious as to what models had the Vader light and what years. You guys are a wealth of information. I think I will restore the one I have and add a LED in it.

 

[srgould41]

I take it back. Mine was a little gooseneck style light. Might still have it in a box somewhere.

My '71 had the light in the center of the dash up high and right next to the light pull switch. I removed the light and now use the pull switch to shut off the ignition circuit. My very own redneck security system.

 

[JohnnyC]

@Living in the Past

i recall seeing a separate switch that you rotate ... like the headlight switch but is just an on/off switch

But it could very well be the headlight switch ... I'll need to check tomorrow... files at work

 

[Living in the Past]

@Living in the Past

i recall seeing a separate switch that you rotate ... like the headlight switch but is just an on/off switch

But it could very well be the headlight switch ... I'll need to check tomorrow... files at work

Headlight switch was to the right of the steering wheel, next to that was a wiper switch on the 40 series.