Interior ilimination at night
- Thread starter rdrunner
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Here's the best I can do with my phone (currently on vacation and I don't have my camera. You may notice it's an oval. I think they did this so you don't see it as much from the side. You really can't see the light from where you are sitting. It's recessed a couple of millimeters it seems. When I get home next week I'll have to look to see where there might be a place for one on the 4runner.
A/V1
New member
The Lexus GX470's OH console has these LEDs built in, much like your Pilot. The GX470 OH console has two amber LEDs and looks great! Illuminates just enough.
These consoles fit perfectly in our 4th gen T4Rs, however the connector is different. I bought one and had to do some wiring modification (this also has the "door" option so these map lights come on when you open the doors). Definitely happy with this mod.
These consoles fit perfectly in our 4th gen T4Rs, however the connector is different. I bought one and had to do some wiring modification (this also has the "door" option so these map lights come on when you open the doors). Definitely happy with this mod.
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A/V1
New member
Thanks - I got it from a junk yard (car-part.com) and if I remember correctly, it was $75-$100 ish. New they are over $900! I think I just lucked out when I got it. I had to phone a couple yards to ask them if they had it. You may luck out as well and the price may or may not be the same.
It's one of my favorite mods though...
It's one of my favorite mods though...
It's a very subtle light that helps you see things at night while driving without having to turn a bright light on. I know it sounds like no big deal but after driving long distance through the night in my wife's Pilot I realized how nice a thing it is even though it's so simple.
I wanted an auto dimming mirror as well so I just got this:
Amazon.com: Gentex AutoDimming Mirror with White PRNDL Light: Automotive
It's not delivered yet so I can't give any feedback.
I wanted an auto dimming mirror as well so I just got this:
Amazon.com: Gentex AutoDimming Mirror with White PRNDL Light: Automotive
It's not delivered yet so I can't give any feedback.
A/V1
New member
Yes, that little bit of ambient lighting is actually very nice to have. I think my next lighting jobs are going to be lights in my center console, lights under my running boards (that only come on when the doors unlock like the ones on the running boards do - puddle lights), and a light or two UNDER THE DAMN HOOD! I can't believe Toyota didn't put a work light under the hood. I guess it's because they never need to be fixed! :bravo:
Anyway, I don't have a write up per se for doing the overhead console swap, but I can definitely give guidance. The first thing you will notice when you get your Lexus OH, is that the connector receptacle is different. At least they ran wires to it and it's not part of the assembly like on ours. I removed the receptacle from the OH and to keep as much length as possible, removed the pins from the recept, then cut the pins off. It's just a habit I have to ensure I have as much wire as I may possibly need.
Ok, Then I went through the tedious task of identifying what every wire did (but you won't need to since I already did). Assuming your 4runner has a sunroof, there are 3 additional wires on the Lex OH. These wires are for the LEDs for the ambient lighting (12v & ground), and a ground for the door open switch. On another connector though is the microphone wiring.
You may choose to wire it up a different way completely. However, this was the way I chose to do it in case I ever wanted to reinstall an original OH again. Thinking back, I probably would have done it differently by simply putting a mini-molex on it for all of the wiring, to include the microphone wiring.
I again went through the tedious task of identifying what every wire did. Then I used a Dremel to cut the plastic connector receptacle off of the 4Runner OH (it is actually a molded part of it). I used a sanding drum to smooth it out completely. With the 4R recept removed, I prepared it to attach the Lex wires and pressed on with soldering.
The picture I have included is at this point.
I then cleaned it up with alcohol, put some epoxy over it, and wrapped it. The wires for the LEDs, door open, and microphone, I originally put in a D-sub connector, but later changed out to a mini-Molex connector. Obviously, just check twice & even three times to make sure the wires match up. Not only will you cause yourself headaches, but you can burn something up.
Which leads me to my next comment:
Do this at your own risk!
Anyway, I don't have a write up per se for doing the overhead console swap, but I can definitely give guidance. The first thing you will notice when you get your Lexus OH, is that the connector receptacle is different. At least they ran wires to it and it's not part of the assembly like on ours. I removed the receptacle from the OH and to keep as much length as possible, removed the pins from the recept, then cut the pins off. It's just a habit I have to ensure I have as much wire as I may possibly need.
Ok, Then I went through the tedious task of identifying what every wire did (but you won't need to since I already did). Assuming your 4runner has a sunroof, there are 3 additional wires on the Lex OH. These wires are for the LEDs for the ambient lighting (12v & ground), and a ground for the door open switch. On another connector though is the microphone wiring.
You may choose to wire it up a different way completely. However, this was the way I chose to do it in case I ever wanted to reinstall an original OH again. Thinking back, I probably would have done it differently by simply putting a mini-molex on it for all of the wiring, to include the microphone wiring.
I again went through the tedious task of identifying what every wire did. Then I used a Dremel to cut the plastic connector receptacle off of the 4Runner OH (it is actually a molded part of it). I used a sanding drum to smooth it out completely. With the 4R recept removed, I prepared it to attach the Lex wires and pressed on with soldering.
The picture I have included is at this point.
I then cleaned it up with alcohol, put some epoxy over it, and wrapped it. The wires for the LEDs, door open, and microphone, I originally put in a D-sub connector, but later changed out to a mini-Molex connector. Obviously, just check twice & even three times to make sure the wires match up. Not only will you cause yourself headaches, but you can burn something up.
Which leads me to my next comment:
Do this at your own risk!
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psquared77
Member
My wife's 2010 Highlander has it. Toyota has had it in the Highlander since the redesign in 2008. It's about time they got into the 'Runners.
Agreed it is subtle light, but it is a nice feature. I believe there is a writeup on the 3rd Gen threads.
LEDs - underbody kits, cathodes, flexible LED strips, dome lights has prewired LEDs that may do the trick. They may also be too bright for this purpose. Sweet mod for any willing to try it.
Agreed it is subtle light, but it is a nice feature. I believe there is a writeup on the 3rd Gen threads.
LEDs - underbody kits, cathodes, flexible LED strips, dome lights has prewired LEDs that may do the trick. They may also be too bright for this purpose. Sweet mod for any willing to try it.
