Glove box light mod

[GrantK]

I got tired of the pitiful excuse for glove box lighting so I went to work, removed the glove box, drilled a hole for a pin switch and to run wires and viola, decent lighting. It is hot wired so it comes on whenever the glove box is opened and gives enough light to clearly see everything inside. A simple mod but even putting things back into the glove box I notice a big difference.

My crappy pic doesn't show it well, but the LED strip is actually shinning straight down, not out the front like it looks in the picture.

 

[mad2clam]

Nice mod. May I ask where you purchased the LED strip?

 

[GrantK]

I got the LED strip from Oznium.com but can no longer recommend them. The last order didn't include wiring pigtails as previous orders had and they refuse to supply them.

The LED strip is 12" water proof with adhesive backing. I added a few cable ties through the housing to make sure it won't come loose over time.

 

[mad2clam]

Thank you for the quick reply and also for the additional instructions. I'll look somewhere else for the LED strip then. Very much appreciated!

 

[limamike]

Amazon.com!

 

[Okki]

Amazon.com!

^^^^^ this ^^^^
The same product is also used in the Hood-engine bay light mod and I believe a couple people also use them for rock lights under truck and/or wheel wells.

Okki

 

[GrantK]

Amazon.com!

Also where I got the pin switch, I back mounted it and trimmed it to allow for about 1/4" plunger movement.

 

[Antman]

Good idea!:trophy:

 

[Go JayBee]

Also where I got the pin switch, I back mounted it and trimmed it to allow for about 1/4" plunger movement.

I like your mod. Did you have to remove the Glove Box to do this? If so, how much trouble was it?

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

Nice

Also where I got the pin switch, I back mounted it and trimmed it to allow for about 1/4" plunger movement.

Is it possible to just wire the led strip to the hot lead on the stock glove box light so a new switch is not required?

 

[GrantK]

I like your mod. Did you have to remove the Glove Box to do this? If so, how much trouble was it?

Yes, it's not fun but straight forward.
Remove the door sill plate, front kick-panel, right hand A/C control cover, lower console cover (near firewall), small bolt cover to left of lower air bag, dash under-cover, lower air bag (after disconnecting the battery), then you can remove the glove box. The detailed instructions on how to remove everything are in the Repair Manual linked in the mods sticky.

If you decide to do this, I would also consider doing the ATRAC (gray wire) mod at the same time since you need to pull the glove box for the ATRAC mod. I installed the wire for the ATRAC mod while I had the glove box out and routed it to where I plan on putting the switch.

Is it possible to just wire the led strip to the hot lead on the stock glove box light so a new switch is not required?

No. The stock light doesn't turn on and off via the glove box door. Probably why they made it so dim.

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

Yes, it's not fun but straight forward.
Remove the door sill plate, front kick-panel, right hand A/C control cover, lower console cover (near firewall), small bolt cover to left of lower air bag, dash under-cover, lower air bag (after disconnecting the battery), then you can remove the glove box. The detailed instructions on how to remove everything are in the Repair Manual linked in the mods sticky.

If you decide to do this, I would also consider doing the ATRAC (gray wire) mod at the same time since you need to pull the glove box for the ATRAC mod. I installed the wire for the ATRAC mod while I had the glove box out and routed it to where I plan on putting the switch.


No. The stock light doesn't turn on and off via the glove box door. Probably why they made it so dim.

Another "what"? Checked out my truck. You are 100% correct. Was a little difficult sneaking a peak inside the box to confirm that the light was still on with the door shut. Just assumed the light was already on some sort of plunger switch. Is this another Toyota "exclusive" or am I behind the times. Did Toyota cheap out on this? Now I'm pissed. Nah. Still love the truck! Learn something new everyday.

 

[GrantK]

Another "what"? Checked out my truck. You are 100% correct. Was a little difficult sneaking a peak inside the box to confirm that the light was still on with the door shut. Just assumed the light was already on some sort of plunger switch. Is this another Toyota "exclusive" or am I behind the times. Did Toyota cheap out on this? Now I'm pissed. Nah. Still love the truck! Learn something new everyday.

I don't follow your "another what" question and yes, it is somewhat annoying that the Big T didn't put some kind of switch in for the glove box light, but so be it. The stock LED, isn't soldered in, put a couple of pinch connectors for the leads. So I removed it during the process.

Here's a better pic that show the final effect. It also shows off the effect of my foot well lighting mod (12" LED light strip). That's a REAL easy mod for both sides. On the passenger side, I drilled a couple of wire routing holes to the under trim, on the driver's side there are existing holes that can be used. Then I hot-glued the light strip in place. I wired it to the connector that feeds the door courtesy lights. The connector is behind the kick panels, just follow the cable coming from the door, pink wire and the red wire very close to the pink one.

Not a bad pic considering I didn't use a flash to show off the brightness of the LEDs

 

[Hawaiian4runner]

I don't follow your "another what" question and yes, it is somewhat annoying that the Big T didn't put some kind of switch in for the glove box light, but so be it. The stock LED, isn't soldered in, put a couple of pinch connectors for the leads. So I removed it during the process.

Here's a better pic that show the final effect. It also shows off the effect of my foot well lighting mod (12" LED light strip). That's a REAL easy mod for both sides. On the passenger side, I drilled a couple of wire routing holes to the under trim, on the driver's side there are existing holes that can be used. Then I hot-glued the light strip in place. I wired it to the connector that feeds the door courtesy lights. The connector is behind the kick panels, just follow the cable coming from the door, pink wire and the red wire very close to the pink one.

Not a bad pic considering I didn't use a flash to show off the brightness of the LEDs

Very nice! Like the foot well lighting too. The "what"? is for the things I just assume are a certain way but find out otherwise. Seems like there are quite a few with Toyota. Like the no locking gas cap, no dome light in the back, difficulty figuring out how to drop the spare tire. Mostly small stuff but surprising none the less. Thanks.