Maplight Mod to Work with Courtesy Lights

[gamefreakgc]

Ok, I can't be the only one with a 3rd Gen who is annoyed that the 2nd Gen 4Runners/3rd Gen Pickups have better interior lighting than the newer 3rd Gen 4Runners.

Has anyone modded the map lights to be included in the courtesy light circuit? I'm thinking this can be done several ways:

1. Rewire the hot courtesy wire through the map lights and just keep them "on" and they turn off when door shuts but lose ability to turn them on without door open.

2. Get really technical and solder the hot courtesy wire downstream of the on/off button for each map light so it get power when door is open regardless of switch position (might have issues if I turn the lights on though? power flows back and shorts a fuse?).

3. Swap in a 2nd Gen 4Runner map light fixture and wire it correctly and hope the interiors match the color. I've got tan.

Any experience on this? Tried searching a while but only found writeups for 4th Gens.

 

[Atomic6]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...g-upgrade-wiring-harness-kit-$21-$23-$25.html

 

[gamefreakgc]

Thanks, that should do the trick. I didn't think about tapping the metal circuit in the door light. I will just solder my own wires, I don't care that it's permanent.

 

[zacattack20]

3. Swap in a 2nd Gen 4Runner map light fixture and wire it correctly and hope the interiors match the color. I've got tan.

I did this. Pretty simple, just need to run one wire from the center dome light to the map light. The tan color was pretty much identical to the one I had.

I think that wiring kit seems like the best idea though. Especially for the price.

 

[wake_rider]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...g-upgrade-wiring-harness-kit-$21-$23-$25.html

This makes me all warm and fuzzy. As soon as it's up for a 2000, I'm buying.

I love this forum

 

[stever1000]

This is a great idea... I hope to try a DIY version

 

[nissanh]

I've installed a 2nd gen map light with the courtesy light function. Bolt right on but you have to cut open the cover to accommodate the door selector switch.

 

[stever1000]

I've installed a 2nd gen map light with the courtesy light function. Bolt right on but you have to cut open the cover to accommodate the door selector switch.

This sounds like a good option too - do you have any pictures?

 

[Kanoe]

My base model had nothing there but the mirror bracket. I installed a second gen one complete. Now I have the 2 map lights plus they can be switched to go with the door opening also.

All the correct holes are there above the headliner, just had to trim the headliner to accommodate the new light. All the wiring needed to make the new light function properly can be picked up in the pillar going down the drivers side of the windshield, no need to mess around with the headliner. That is where the dome light wiring is run.

I found my light at a junkyard in Kalispell Montana for $5. Converted it to LED, big improvement, a favorite mod.