Dimmer Switch Queston

[cleger]

Hi all,
I am planning on adding some accent lighting to my 4Runner, I have done this on my other vehicles before and the led lights are just too bright for driving, so I have added a pot switch (variable resistor) to allow me to dim them to my preferred brightness, while also being able to brighten them when i need to see something. I now want to take it a step further and instead of adding a tacky switch, I was wondering if anybody knew anything about the factory instrument cluster dimming switch on the dash,

I want to:
buy a factory switch
hook my accent lights to it
be able to dim them from this switch that conveniently fits right into an unused hole on the dash for neatness.

Does anybody have any info on this and if it would work???

Thanks in advanced!
-Cody

 

[T4rman]

Contura Rocker Dash Dimming

check this one out

 

[cleger]

Contura Rocker Dash Dimming

check this one out

Thanks man that does help!
What is the technical term for this switch. I'm searching the Internet for one and all the parts sites and I haven't had any luck.

 

[blue4run]

Rheostat

It's called a Rheostat dimmer. I hooked up some LED accent lights to the factory dimmer and it worked out great.

 

[cleger]

Thanks. Know the part number by any chance cause I want to add a second one to my runner to control nothing but accent lights, and can't find it anywhere on the web. And will the dimmer switch even fit into the unused button holes?

 

[blue4run]

Don't know the part #. I have a empty spot next to my
dimmer not sure what option goes there. As far as the other empty
button locations I think you would have to cut the plastic to get it to fit.

 

[cleger]

What year is yours? I don't have that extra slot. But another question. That light button. Is that for your fog lights?

 

[cleger]

And do you know anyone who sells custom buttons that fit in these holes?

 

[blue4run]

It's a 2006. The light button in pic controls all 4 of my Piaa lights. The Piaa switch in pic I was using to control some LED's but It's not hooked up currently.
I think I got the light switch from Sparks Toyota.
TRD Sparks Toyota Parts & Scion Performance Parts Accessories from Sparks Toyota-Scion
I also put a blue (on) and white (illumination) LED in the switch I changed all of my orange colored lights over to white LEDs.

 

[cleger]

This is the beginning of a install I'm working on... Adding footwell lights that work with the dome lights and dash lights to help light the inside up a little at night
Here is a link to the new thread:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=136345

YouTube link of the video of it working
(Listen at the very end of the video for my wife saying "Can I get out".. It's so funny. )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTut3Va0fLs&sns=em

How it currently works:
1.)My 4Runner has lighted running boards. I noticed that the running boards don't go off with the dome lights always. If the vehicle is running the dome lights go off right when you shut the door, but the running board lights stay on for about 10-15 seconds after that or until you shift into gear... I wanted the footwell lights to do this just to kinda let you get situated better, but then they dim off like normal.

2.) I wanted amber accent lighting to come on with the dash lights in the footwells as well and also dim with the dimmer switch so I tapped into the dimming dash circuit.

Changes I plan to make:
1.) fix the led that blinks(it's got a broken wire where I bent it too much)
2.) add one more led to the drivers side to make the light "fuller"
3.) put some resistors on the amber lights to dim it down a few notches(all while still letting it be able to dim with dash light) because it is too bright right now.
4.) wire in a circuit with switches (using diodes) to let me turn on all the lights at full brightness when I need to see really good
5.) possibly wire it up to the maplights where when you turn either right or left side on and the same footwell lights up... Cool huh?

6.) MOST IMPORTANTLY- duplicate this for the backseat

Any thoughts or suggestions?

 

[cleger]

What is the technical term for this switch. I'm searching the Internet for one and all the parts sites and I haven't had any luck.

I found this on another post

Question: Where did you get the fog light switches in the console? Did they come as part of it or did you get them seperately? Have a part number by chance?

I got them from Sparks Toyota. I bought them separately. It's much easier to buy the switch and the connector and just clip off the other end.

Switch PN: PT297-35070-AS
Connector PN: PT297-35070-SH

And for reference, here is what each wire should be hooked up to:
Pin 1 (Red w/ Blue) : Illumination Power for "Lights On" indicator light
Pin 2 (Black): Ground for Illumination circuit
Pin 3 (Green w/ purple): Switch Power (12V Supply)
Pin 4 (Red w/ green): Line Out to Relay
Pin 5 (Grey): Ground for Backlit Illumination Circuit
Pin 6 (Purple): Illumination Power for Backlight