MOD: Rear hatch dome lights!!!

[pavelvoivoda]

Installed two original dome lights on the rear hatch interior cover. Connected them to the main trunk interior light and installed two LED bulbs.

Happens for a very nice lighting around the car if you have a trunk kitchen.

I only wired them with the "DOOR" position without the "ON" position, so when I close the hatch, they turn off. This way even if I forget them, they'll still turn off when I close the hatch. Otherwise if you wire the "ON" position and switch to it, when you close the rear hatch, you wont see they are ON if you have tinted windows/rear cover on...and then you can't leave home...or get home!!!

You need to run power from the constant 12v of the Back door ECU to both lights directly on the bulbs' ends, and then run wires from the "DOOR" function of both lights (connect them together as one wire) and run it up the left hatch pillar to the trunk's interior light's Green/Red wire - or the one that does not have constant 12v - that wire goes to the combination meter that allows to ground the interior trunk dome light to turn ON when the comb meter receives signal that the rear hatch is opened.

Here is a schematic and a pic of the final job. The schematic is a general sample one and should not be taken for granted. Make sure you understand your car's wiring before starting. Attempt at your own risk.

 

[2ndhandyotaman]

Great mod ! Can you share what lights you used to do this, this is something that I will definitely do on my 'runner.

 

[128keaton]

Great mod ! Can you share what lights you used to do this, this is something that I will definitely do on my 'runner.

Looks like he just pulled two cargo lights off of two wrecked runners or bought some OEM ones on ebay. Nice mod!

 

[pavelvoivoda]

Yes, the lights are the ones for the rear seats. The bulbs inside are the ones with 3 LEDs, hense the white color.

 

[jgue467]

Very Useful mod! Lexus like!! Let's see, what else?? :cowboy:

 

[spartacus]

great mod and great write up with directions, really like that it looks like factory set up for 5th gens.very nice.

 

[nchacon1984]

Just another mod to add to the Mod List

 

[hawkcharmer]

Installed two original dome lights on the rear hatch interior cover. Connected them to the main trunk interior light and installed two LED bulbs.

Happens for a very nice lighting around the car if you have a trunk kitchen.

I only wired them with the "DOOR" position without the "ON" position, so when I close the hatch, they turn off. This way even if I forget them, they'll still turn off when I close the hatch. Otherwise if you wire the "ON" position and switch to it, when you close the rear hatch, you wont see they are ON if you have tinted windows/rear cover on...and then you can't leave home...or get home!!!

You need to run power from the constant 12v of the Back door ECU to both lights directly on the bulbs' ends, and then run wires from the "DOOR" function of both lights (connect them together as one wire) and run it up the left hatch pillar to the trunk's interior light's Green/Red wire - or the one that does not have constant 12v - that wire goes to the combination meter that allows to ground the interior trunk dome light to turn ON when the comb meter receives signal that the rear hatch is opened.

Here is a schematic and a pic of the final job. The schematic is a general sample one and should not be taken for granted. Make sure you understand your car's wiring before starting. Attempt at your own risk.

Great Post!!!
How would I wire if I wanted them to work with both the "DOOR" position and the "ON" position? I camp inside the vehicle and would like to have access to the "ON" function while inside. I just picked up one of these and trying to find one more. Do I need the pigtail wiring? Would these two lights, illuminate a camp kitchen sufficiently? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you

 

[RodrickHeffley]

Great Post!!!
How would I wire if I wanted them to work with both the "DOOR" position and the "ON" position? I camp inside the vehicle and would like to have access to the "ON" function while inside. I just picked up one of these and trying to find one more. Do I need the pigtail wiring? Would these two lights, illuminate a camp kitchen sufficiently? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you

You likely would just have to wire them both into the correct circuit. Having the pigtail would make the wiring easier, as well as easy removal later for hatch maintenance.

If you want it to illuminate a larger area, try to find some lights you can install in the housing that diffuse well or install a small diffuser in the housing itself, that should help illuminate your work area.

I'd like to do this mod once I end up getting my 4runner back, worst case scenario I'll figure it out for you, problem is that's a few months from now.

 

[Back4More]

Well don!

That is awesome! Well done indeed. Added to the list.

 

[pavelvoivoda]

Great Post!!!
How would I wire if I wanted them to work with both the "DOOR" position and the "ON" position? I camp inside the vehicle and would like to have access to the "ON" function while inside. I just picked up one of these and trying to find one more. Do I need the pigtail wiring? Would these two lights, illuminate a camp kitchen sufficiently? Any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you

Just add a wire that follows the "ON" position track and connect it to ground. In the case of the original interior lights, the "ON" position is one of the crews that are used to attach the light to the roof metal beam.

Since the screw is not used when the lights are attached to the door metal back, attach a wire in place of the screw and connect the other end to closest ground point/door hull area to ground to complete the circuit when the switch is in the ON postion.

Here is the diagram in the original circuit:

 

[jharri7140]

Great Mod, I have always been unhappy with the stock hatch lighting

 

[RodrickHeffley]

I'm trying to work on tackling this today, I don't plan for door function yet as I need to replace/clean my latch for the sensor to even work.

The wiring diagram for this mod I don't think would work with my 98 as they changed the wiring after my year as I'm pretty sure as the OP has a 99/00

On my 98, what're the best wires to tap into for constant power and ground? The back door ECU seems to have plenty of options but I can't find a pinout online that breaks it down.

I know that I can use any old ground but my problem is finding the power wire. For my back door ECU, is that the solid blue wire or something else?

Thanks

 

[Sigwally]

Wow! That is a great mod. Thanks for taking the time to do this.

 

[TracyNorton]

I did this too, but used a pair these:
Touch LED Lights - National Luna

a couple USA outfitters sell them online
they hella bright on highest setting, even Yellow setting bright...perfect for camp kitchen

 

[pavelvoivoda]

I'm trying to work on tackling this today, I don't plan for door function yet as I need to replace/clean my latch for the sensor to even work.

The wiring diagram for this mod I don't think would work with my 98 as they changed the wiring after my year as I'm pretty sure as the OP has a 99/00

On my 98, what're the best wires to tap into for constant power and ground? The back door ECU seems to have plenty of options but I can't find a pinout online that breaks it down.

I know that I can use any old ground but my problem is finding the power wire. For my back door ECU, is that the solid blue wire or something else?

Thanks

the power wire is the same 12v+ from the cargo light. Just extend it thru the wire loom to in the actual rear gate. If you attach the original interior lights to the back of the gate, make sure to connect them the way they are connected to the back door courtesy switch wire that is at the lock of the door, because if you forget to turn them off. when you close the gate, they will continue to be lit, and drain the battery.