Footwell Ambient LED Light

CookieRoe

CookieRoe

Senior Member
Hey all,

I noticed in my Mom's ES350 and brother's RAV4 the use of an LED amber light in the foot-wells (see pics). I've seen where some have installed strips of LEDs and connected them, but I think that would be overkill. I THINK Toyota sells a kit (for Scion?), but I'm not sure. Has anyone seen something like this aftermarket wise? I want to say also that these amber LEDs have two brightness, bright and dim. Any thoughts as to how to do this on your 4Runner?
 

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i have something kinda similar , except their mounted on the doors to light up the switches.
 
chaz: I saw your DIY on your light, great idea btw ( I may just steal your idea and put an LED there, drives me crazy at night when I want to lower a window). Anyway, I can't tell how bright (wattage) yours is, how much do you figure the OEM LED use?

thanks!
 
chaz said:
i have something kinda similar , except their mounted on the doors to light up the switches.
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The drivers window switch (on the drivers door) is lite on my Limited. Makes it easy to find and from there easy to locate the other window switches without looking down again.

Is this a Limited model feature only?
 
Ridger said:
The drivers window switch (on the drivers door) is lite on my Limited. Makes it easy to find and from there easy to locate the other window switches without looking down again.

Is this a Limited model feature only?
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i have an '06 limited also and i dont remember ever seeing a light on the window switches. i'll have to go check.
 
brrr - 17f and walking around in a tshirt. you're right, the 'auto' on the drivers window lights up. dim, but its there.
 
To keep this thread alive with information. I've been trying to find orange ambient light (LEDs from the factory). Found this in another forum. Nissan Altima's (if equipped) come with these orange ambient lights. Here's a link:

Nissan Ambient Light

There is a kit for it from Japan that's specific to the 4th gen 4Runner.

4Runner/Hi Lux Surf footwell light Problem with this one is that is costs $150 + shipping to USA (about $30). Pretty steep but worth it (for me) b/c its apparently plug in play. MAJOR CON: they only light up green which is fugly. (I'm looking for orange to keep it stock looking)

I'll continue to post as I find interesting info. When I get around to it, I get SOMETHING and post here. :biggrin2:
 
just run a wire from ur dome light under the headliner down to under dash for footwell lights. u can use amber stick on strip lights from v-leds. very easy & works the same as the dome lights.
 
chaz said:
just run a wire from ur dome light under the headliner down to under dash for footwell lights. u can use amber stick on strip lights from v-leds. very easy & works the same as the dome lights.
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they look cool. But they seem to throw out a "strong light". I just want an ambient glow. There are strips of white LEDs out there that I plan on installing under the hood.
 
yea, pretty bright. when u get the strips mounted under the hood please post pics, ive been thinking about that also.
 
they are footwell lights, not ambient lights........ :(

CookieRoe said:
There is a kit for it from Japan that's specific to the 4th gen 4Runner.

4Runner/Hi Lux Surf footwell light Problem with this one is that is costs $150 + shipping to USA (about $30). Pretty steep but worth it (for me) b/c its apparently plug in play. MAJOR CON: they only light up green which is fugly.
Click to expand...

In the spirit of keeping this thread alive with useful information: This kit from Japan only lights up when the doors are open and is NOT ambient lighting. That is all, thank you. :zoom:
 

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Keeping hope alive.......

RAV4 ambient footwell LED lights part number:
81080-42010 $10.76
81090-42010 $36.27
Doesn't look too expensive to "try it out". Anyway, I started this post, I intend to keep it with pertinent information. Should anyone want to try this out, this thread should help ya. (still haven't found a SOFT glowing amber light to illuminate the footwells........thanks everyone for your replies, but most/all are too bright)
 
You might want to look at windshield washer LEDs.

Deal extreme has a set of white ones for about $3.50. This site has amber ones and you can get them with a black body for $6.00. If the nozzles are visible, a touch of black paint should fix that. I'd assume that they are much dimmer than the super bright LEDs of the footwell light mod. Since you want them on all the time, the wiring will be much simpler. You can just tap off the fuse box to a circuit that is only hot when the car is on.

Here's a picture of the deal extreme ones to give you an idea of what the housings look like.
 

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Info found, this looks more doable. Over on the RAV4 forum (Light it up - Toyota RAV4 Forums : RAV4World.com), a member found a perfect set of LED (perfect brightness and color). I thought I would share. I dont' think wiring would be that bad. If anyone could share or recommend where to splice into (wires) and/or how to wire it up, that would great!!

To be mounted:
1) One under the driver's side dash
2) One under passenger side dash
3) One under the driver's door right above the windows controls (difficult to see at night)


LD1-x series Accent Module Specifications

LD1.jpg


Any thoughts?
 
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to keep this thread alive...............

Ok, disregard my previous suggestions on the plug and play kit from Japan and any "plug and play" kit in general. They are very expensive and not worth it.

I ordered: Tiny Prewired Super Bright Surface Mount LEDs - 12V DIY Plug and Play SMT LED
The correct color is YELLOW (if you want to match your OEM yellow-lit dash)

Wiring should be easy. I plan on tapping the parking light for the positive and ground the LED where ever. Each LED is rated at ABOUT 2 lumens (bright enough for ambient light), comes with its own resistor (12V kit, so not fiddling with conversion voltages, etc) and is $3.49 each. Superbrightleds.com has a similar LED for $1.99 (see previous link I posted) I spent a bit more only b/c of my experience with them.

If I can't make this happen, well, I'm an idiot then.

Pics to come! Hopefully I'll have some time very soon.

ORDERED!

:party:
 
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Update (3 years later)

wow, I can't believe I never updated this thread. Anyway, here are some pics from my footwell/center console install.

Center console, This is the most practical side of this. Most of the time the center console is pitch biack, so "I fixed that, LOL".
ZLFK8lq.jpg


The light isn't as strong as the picture dipicts, it is stronger than a factory ambient light would put out, but not "looney tuney" bright.
L8bcNCC.jpg


I like it!
NR3Leip.jpg


Anyway, i wired them to the dashboard lighting circuit, meaning the LEDs are off when the car's lights (parking, headlights, etc) are off.
 
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