Got the itch to add ambient lighting to my 2006 Cruiser. The LX470 variant (2002/2003+) comes from factory with ambient lighting in several locations:
-Overhead map lights (illuminates center console) - 2 amber LEDs (I do not believe these are available separately - no part number found)
-Interior door handles (lamp module P/N#81080-51010 - 1 per door) - see 2nd post, will finish write-up once my parts come in.
-Footwells (wasn't interested in adding these but would be as simple as mounting LEDs and tying into Illumination (button backlighting wires) circuit
I went through 2 electrical wiring diagrams (EWD) - both 2007 comparing the Cruiser to the LX470. The Lx470 ambient lighting is controlled via a sub-body ECU that does not exist in the land cruiser (see listed part below). So there is not a simple plug and play solution.
-They use the same circuit board (plugs, circuits, resistors etc for the ambient lights are present in the Cruiser board (at least 2006+)
-Cruiser does not have the body side wiring and ECU to control ambient lights
So, on to the nitty gritty, couple different approaches one can take....
Method 1: Full time ambient lighting or switched (by remote)
Parts needed: LEDs, resistor, and some wire. A remote/switch if you want it.
Drill out indentations in Cruiser overhead console. Glue in LEDs, wire up to the map lights. This will give you full time ambient lighting unless you add the remote like the write-up below. Then you can turn it on off, etc by remote. Credit to @d5cb5 who laid it all out.
forum.ih8mud.com
Method 2: LED Ambient lighting tied into illumination circuit. Switches on/off with running lights.
Parts needed: LEDs, resistor, and some wire.
Follow the writeup above for installing aftermarket LEDs, but instead of tying into the map lights, connect your power wire to the BLUE wire. Ground goes to BLACK wire. Now they will work in concert with your running lights.
Method 3: Install LX470 Overhead console with factory LEDs and circuit.
I went this direction as I wanted the factory color and intensity. Requires minor modification to the circuit boards which will allow you to retain factory circuit w/ resistors, diode (probably unnecessary) and plugs.
Parts needed: 2003+? LX470 overhead console. I found one on ebay for $50. By using the LX470 console you get:
1. The LED assembly with plug and holder
2. Console housing with ambient led holes already in place.
Time: 1 hour job with this guide and some basic soldering skills/tools.
LED assembly (if this part were available separately, it would make this swap even cheaper - wouldn't need an LX console!):
Overhead console:
1. Unplug everything, bunch of little screws to get it apart. No need to remove the map lights. Pull out the circuit board. It should look like this:
Breakdown of what's what and overall idea of what needs to be done:
3. De-solder diode
4. Solder lead to diode end and drill a hole in the black circuit board housing to fish the lead through.
Shrink tube the joint and add a bit of electrical tape for overkill purposes:
Screw all the bits and bobs back on the overhead console. Tie the blue wire lead from the diode into the blue wire in the harness. Connect the brown ground wire to the black ground wire.
End result (camera makes it brighter than it actually is. Probably half this bright, in reality.
Was a fun project to figure out. Hope this helps some other folks!
Cheers
-Overhead map lights (illuminates center console) - 2 amber LEDs (I do not believe these are available separately - no part number found)
-Interior door handles (lamp module P/N#81080-51010 - 1 per door) - see 2nd post, will finish write-up once my parts come in.
-Footwells (wasn't interested in adding these but would be as simple as mounting LEDs and tying into Illumination (button backlighting wires) circuit
I went through 2 electrical wiring diagrams (EWD) - both 2007 comparing the Cruiser to the LX470. The Lx470 ambient lighting is controlled via a sub-body ECU that does not exist in the land cruiser (see listed part below). So there is not a simple plug and play solution.
COMPUTER, MULTIPLEX NETWORK BODY, NO.2 - P/N 89226-60020
To compare LX470 to Cruiser:-They use the same circuit board (plugs, circuits, resistors etc for the ambient lights are present in the Cruiser board (at least 2006+)
-Cruiser does not have the body side wiring and ECU to control ambient lights
So, on to the nitty gritty, couple different approaches one can take....
Method 1: Full time ambient lighting or switched (by remote)
Parts needed: LEDs, resistor, and some wire. A remote/switch if you want it.
Drill out indentations in Cruiser overhead console. Glue in LEDs, wire up to the map lights. This will give you full time ambient lighting unless you add the remote like the write-up below. Then you can turn it on off, etc by remote. Credit to @d5cb5 who laid it all out.
Ambient Lighting write-up
Ive seen this come up a few times and wanted to share a quick write up for the group. My 2005 LC has indentions in the overhead light area which I understand some later model LCs/lexus have ambient lights in. I ordered two LEDs and a remote RF control from sueprbrightleds and installed these...
forum.ih8mud.com
Method 2: LED Ambient lighting tied into illumination circuit. Switches on/off with running lights.
Parts needed: LEDs, resistor, and some wire.
Follow the writeup above for installing aftermarket LEDs, but instead of tying into the map lights, connect your power wire to the BLUE wire. Ground goes to BLACK wire. Now they will work in concert with your running lights.
Method 3: Install LX470 Overhead console with factory LEDs and circuit.
I went this direction as I wanted the factory color and intensity. Requires minor modification to the circuit boards which will allow you to retain factory circuit w/ resistors, diode (probably unnecessary) and plugs.
Parts needed: 2003+? LX470 overhead console. I found one on ebay for $50. By using the LX470 console you get:
1. The LED assembly with plug and holder
2. Console housing with ambient led holes already in place.
Time: 1 hour job with this guide and some basic soldering skills/tools.
LED assembly (if this part were available separately, it would make this swap even cheaper - wouldn't need an LX console!):
Overhead console:
1. Unplug everything, bunch of little screws to get it apart. No need to remove the map lights. Pull out the circuit board. It should look like this:
Breakdown of what's what and overall idea of what needs to be done:
3. De-solder diode
4. Solder lead to diode end and drill a hole in the black circuit board housing to fish the lead through.
Shrink tube the joint and add a bit of electrical tape for overkill purposes:
Screw all the bits and bobs back on the overhead console. Tie the blue wire lead from the diode into the blue wire in the harness. Connect the brown ground wire to the black ground wire.
End result (camera makes it brighter than it actually is. Probably half this bright, in reality.
Was a fun project to figure out. Hope this helps some other folks!
Cheers
Last edited:
). 
hasn't got into it and now I know why thanks to you! 
