ElectroBoy
Banned
Thanks [MENTION=200736]ElectroBoy[/MENTION]
How hard is it just to get power to a light from the hatch? Is that easier than running a wire from the engine compartment do you think? I don't need switching etc.
I have two of these (one white one red):
That mount here on the Rago panels that I have in the back:
So I just need to get power to either side of the cargo area ... the switches have their own integrated on/off.
Really, I just need it for one side. I think both sides might be overkill (those things are bright) and I really only would use the red when out camping. The white ArcLights in the hatch do a reasonable job of lighting up the cargo area as it is.
My mod requires a good amount of work, disassembly of the rear hatch panel, fishing wires, and dedication to get it done. The rubber boot is kind of a pain to fish wires through.
Another method:
You could run a dedicated constant power wire from a fuse tap in the cabin fuse box, and a GND wire from a convenient chassis bolt.
Another method:
Instead of running a dedicated fused wire from the battery as you suggest, if your two LED lights don't require a lot of current, you could consider tapping off the 12V power port in the rear cargo area. It and all the other power outlets are supplied by the 15A P/Outlet fuse. This would only supply power when the ignition is switched On, unless you have modded them to be always hot (12V). There are some threads that describe how to do this.
You'll have to remove the passenger side wheel well tray cover. There are several threads how to do this either by hand contortions and a flexible shafted screwdriver to remove two screws, or by breaking the two plastic tabs through brute force. Tap into the 12V lead (light green) and the GND wire (white/black stripe) and run it behind the plastic side panels into the headliner, punch a little hole in it, then route to your lights. I've never done this myself but others on the forum have. You'll have to search around for some more details.
What I'd suggest is working from the top down. Similar to what I did you could get into the headliner area with the rear hatch open (without creasing the headliner) and fish two wires down the D pillar, into the area behind the tail light (remove the cover plate) and then fish the wires over to the now uncovered wheel well area to make connections to the 12V and GND wires.
Maybe someone who's done something similar can verify this method.
Good luck, let us know how you did it and take photos. :thumb3:
