Under Hood Light Mod.. (1 Viewer)

[siglo]

I can't get why Toyota didn't have such a simple thing.. I've contemplated installing one for a while but didn't actually decide to do so until recently..

the mod is quite simple and cheap.. all parts can be easily found in any junk yard.. the light bulb and holder came from an old dodge.. no drilling was necessary in my case

light is fused and connected directly to the aux battery.. it will light up without the need to have the key in the ignition..

Momentary push switch is used to turn of the light once the hood is closed..

the light is installed on the same screw securing the bug deflector.. I can't remember if a hole was there or it was drilled for the deflector..

the light from this bulb is sufficient to lighten up the whole engine compartment.. I don't know what kind of bulb it is as it came with the holder..

cable is passed under the the hood insulation..

the light bulb comes down into the space behind the grill when the hood is closed..

 

[spressomon]

Great idea...and great post: Thanks...just added to my list of 'toodoos'.

 

[97 FZJ80]

I thought about the engine compartment light, but never got around to adding it. Iget by with holding the flashlight in my mouth I seem to recall my dad's Corolla(or Corona) in the early 70's had one.

Siglo, you seem to have a lot of inline fuse setups in the engine compartment. Have you thought about putting in a fuse block instead?

John

 

[siglo]

@97 FZJ80

I thought about getting a fuse block.. but haven't been able to find one locally to my liking.. Stopped by the electrician the other day and he showed me a fuse block that came off an old corolla.. it was slim and would fit easily under the hood.. but I didn't take it cause it was missing the cover.. Buying it new would be costly cause the dealer would only sell it with all the wirings etc..

if you know of any place online that sells small fuse blocks online I'd appreciate it.. I seem to be running out of good space under the hood lately..

 

[george_tlc]

http://www.waytekwire.com/ is a good place to find all sorts of decent quality electrical cables, connectors, fuse blocks, etc etc. They do have minimum qty on some items...

george.

 

[siglo]

thanks george.. I've looked at that site and I'm already considering a couple of options

 

[NMuzj100]

Underhood light is a great idea but lately I've taken to using a LED headlamp for just about everything. Very versatile and cheap.

Smaller than a flashlight, hands-free and lasts 30+ hours on 3 AAA batteries. Keep one in the glove compartment. Changed a flat on my Camry in 10 minutes in the dark with it.

 

[Greg B]

Underhood light is a great idea but lately I've taken to using a LED headlamp for just about everything. Very versatile and cheap.

Smaller than a flashlight, hands-free and lasts 30+ hours on 3 AAA batteries. Keep one in the glove compartment. Changed a flat on my Camry in 10 minutes in the dark with it.

I agree, I have the exact same light and you can't beat em. It's always pointing the same way I'm looking; very handy. Keep it in the console with a few extra AAA's and you can't go wrong.

 

[LonghornCruiser]

I have always thought it was odd that they didn't have an underhood light standard. Seems like a no brainer to me. I was going to mount a light similar to yours, but have yet to do so. Right now, I have a small magnetic flood light in my utility box under the hood. I kinda prefer it now, because I can mount it temporarily anywhere I need to work on and it connects directly to the batt., so I can still use it if the batt is disconnected.

 

[hbsurfer]

If anyone is interested in a hands-free LED headlamp here is one for a great deal. http://www.sacattack.com/items/1233

 

[Jim_Chow]

Headlamp is the way to go. What do you do if you need to lowe the spare at night? You need a light to illuminate that fitting above the spare where the hook goes.

 

[mobi-arc]

I just installed one of these over the weekend. Neat product. The light detaches, has a magnetic backing, and has 16 feet of wire that spools out. Magnetically attach the bulb where you need light. When done, wind the chord back up. I have to say, I think this the smartest thing GM ever engineered. Costs about $10 on ebay.

 

[97 FZJ80]

Cool light. Where did you get this light?

 

[mobi-arc]

Cool light. Where did you get this light?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...RK:MEDW:IT&viewitem=&item=260067038928&rd=1,1