Liftgate LED Mod: where to tap 12v on a non-power hatch model? (1 Viewer)

[Nooooooooob1]

I’d love to install a light in the inspection panel of the liftgate like so many here have done. However, I have a 2009, so no power closing hatch. Looking through all the other threads about this, I’m unable to find a clear answer on a solid power source inside the hatch door. Some people said the backup camera, some said the open/close sensor. Some said the 2nd row dome light(really don’t want to do that).

Where can I get 12v from inside the liftgate?

 

[CharlieS]

I couldn't find a good source of power in the lift gate of my '13. I ended up running a dedicated power line to the cargo area from the engine compartment, under the door sills/trim to the rear of the vehicle.

 

[afgman786]

I went to the cargo light in 3rd row.. Couldn't find a good constant hot to light an LED in the hatch which sucked. But fishing the wire to the cargo light actually wasn't too bad.

 

[Sandroad]

I went to the cargo light in 3rd row.. Couldn't find a good constant hot to light an LED in the hatch which sucked. But fishing the wire to the cargo light actually wasn't too bad.

Unless you've posted it elsewhere, I'd appreciate a brief description of how you did that without messing up the headliner. I have a battery light in the tailgate now and I'd like to get a better light there.

 

[CharlieS]

I used a fish wire (length of 12ga from a section of Romex) to pull wire to the cargo area light. Then up through the rubber grommet to the upper tailgate.

This setup didn't work well for me with the National Luna light bar. That may have been more an issue with the lightbar circuitry.

 

[afgman786]

Unless you've posted it elsewhere, I'd appreciate a brief description of how you did that without messing up the headliner. I have a battery light in the tailgate now and I'd like to get a better light there.

I used a coat hanger to fish the wire thru. I've quoted my posts from the thread I did post up about it. You'll see the wire as well to see the gauge if that matters to you. I did put a scratch in the headliner that is hard to see but that was because I wasn't being patient (you can see them in the close up pic with the cargo light hanging). Once I got the wire to the rear I ran it thru the black piece that holds wires in up to to the hatch and used the ground off my 3rd brake light.

Fished the wires to rear hatch lighting. Got a home made strip that will offer red or white light. Still have to actually wire it and solder the wires, but did the hard part of fishing thru the headliner.
Also replaced the reverse light that was cracked by the old man on a trail ride. In the process of popping it off, I broke a piece on the edge of be the brake light..





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Weather was nice enough today to finish wiring up the lights I had fished wires for. Hot wire runs to rear cargo light, and ground is off of the 3rd brake light. I've got red or white now, one side on switch gets me white other gets red.

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