Map Lights Wire Into Dome Lights

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xcmtb83

Member
I can't stand how dim the interior lighting is in my 1996 T4R. I wish the map lights were hooked up with the dome lights so when the door is opened the map lights come on as well. Has anyone modded their map lights to do this?

I know I can get brighter LEDs for the dome lights but it really won't solve the problem. It might even make it worse as the shadows that the seats will create will be even more contrasting.

Thanks for any and all input!
 
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I got an led off amazon for $1 plus shipping. I think it was $4 total and it makes a world of difference. Granted, it's only the done light, but it really, really helps. Start with that.


The seller said it would take 6 weeks to arrive. I got mine in 7 days.
 
xcmtb83 said:
I can't stand how dim the interior lighting is in my 1996 T4R. I wish the map lights were hooked up with the dome lights so when the door is opened the map lights come on as well. Has anyone modded their map lights to do this?

I know I can get brighter LEDs for the dome lights but it really won't solve the problem. It might even make it worse as the shadows that the seats will create will be even more contrasting.

Thanks for any and all input!
Click to expand...

Good question. If someone figured this out it'd be a great DIY project. It'd be nice to have them come on with the dome ("on" switch or door trigger) and then still be able to switch them on independently if needed. I'm not great with wiring, but maybe an inline splice between the maps and their switches fed by a relay off the dome light power source?
 
BenK said:
Good question. If someone figured this out it'd be a great DIY project. It'd be nice to have them come on with the dome ("on" switch or door trigger) and then still be able to switch them on independently if needed. I'm not great with wiring, but maybe an inline splice between the maps and their switches fed by a relay off the dome light power source?
Click to expand...

Domes are ground-switched, so no. You would have to access the ground connection to each map light between the switch and the bulb (probably a short brass strap) and connect that to the dome light trigger ground wire. Doable with some decent wiring skills. Not a one beer job. Headliner probably has to come out.

To really get it right, you would also have to tap the domelight between the switch and the bulb, so it would also disable the maps when you disabled the dome, and then the maps would also come on with the dome switch. Tricky tapping that strap.

I'm happy with my LED's in the dome.
 

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Depending on the type of roof console you have, you can swap a 2nd gen 4runner map light assembly as they have a door switch incorporated into it. You would just then run one wire from the new assembly connector to the dome light.


Toyota Pickup 4Runner SR5 Oak Tan Map Light Rear View Mirror | eBay

<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/93E09C61-2CE6-4E34-87FD-34EC6BACADDC_zps8z8bwoyu.jpg" border="0">



I did this a couple years ago and it's worked fine since.

<img src="http://i1350.photobucket.com/albums/p779/zacforsale/229A8CCF-9AFD-401C-809C-AAA39F6C04DF_zpsw7w0bmiu.jpg" border="0">
 
A "better late than never" thanks to contributors. Today I plan to look for a 2nd gen unit from the local yard. I wonder if I could swap a 2nd gen unit into my 1996 Taco too, which has equally dim lighting.
 
xcmtb83 said:
Thread update:

I was able to figure out a clean way to make the map lights and my cargo light to come on when a door is opened. I can't believe Toyota didn't think a front dome light was necessary. I kind of have it outlined in my FS thread.

www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-t4r-ite...g-upgrade-wiring-harness-kit-$21-$23-$25.html
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Good job, I think a lot of people want that. Not me of course, I don't want the map lights on when I open the door. But I think most are on your side! Very reasonably priced upgrade for the electrically challenged among us. I'm going to go with foot well lights on the dome circuit. As soon as I get to that thing, and that other thing, and those honey do's, and those other honey do's.

:keyboard:
 
IBallEngineer said:
Good job, I think a lot of people want that. Not me of course, I don't want the map lights on when I open the door. But I think most are on your side! Very reasonably priced upgrade for the electrically challenged among us. I'm going to go with foot well lights on the dome circuit. As soon as I get to that thing, and that other thing, and those honey do's, and those other honey do's.

:keyboard:
Click to expand...

Let me know when you figure out on the foot lighting!
 
I plan on doing this shortly as well but will be adding a second center dome light, and lights to the rear hatch.

My 4 Runner came with an aftermarket sunroof, so I had to add the front dome light already (luckily wiring was there, just shoved to the front of the sunroof.)

4Runner%20Interior%20LED%20wiring.gif
 
19963.4lsr5 said:
I put bright LEDs in my dome lights. It’s much better.


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I did the exact same thing. Plus I added LED fog lights for my reverse lights along with bright reverse lights so backing up at night. :)

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brillo_76 said:
I did the exact same thing. Plus I added LED fog lights for my reverse lights along with bright reverse lights so backing up at night. :)

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Click to expand...



I did the super bright LED reverse lights also. The dome light use to be a 5w or 10w with a big heatsink. It lasted almost a year before it died. So I just went and got normal LEDs from autozone. That led with the heat sink was awesome bright. You could read a newspaper with sunglasses on.


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