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Thread: Stock Tacoma: Interior light ideas?

  1. #1
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    Default Stock Tacoma: Interior light ideas?

    As I'm spending more time in my new (to me) 04 Tacoma one thing that is becoming clear is that the interior lighting leaves a lot to be desired. Besides the fact that the dome light is mounted in the center of the cab roof, behind my head (which puts anything on the floor into the shadows) reaching up behind my head to turn it on is considerably inconvenient.

    So what have others done to improve the lighting situation in the cab? Something cheap and simple would be preferable. I'd love to get an overhead console above the windshield but I'm not aware of anybody who makes such a thing for the Tacoma.
    Martin AKA Zapp Branigan KD0PHH
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  2. #2
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    I have (like many I'd suspect) a map light on the dash. I personally used a Littlite L-5/18 mounted on my dash. This is a halogen light on an 18" gooseneck with a dimmer. I has a little red slide-in filter that makes it less hard on the eyes at night. They now make LED ones, which is the way I'd go if I had to replace it. I ended up hardwiring it, drilling a hole in the dash to the right of the radio. I don't have a picture of it, I really need to snap one one of these days.

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    DaktariEd is offline Expedition Portal Team 2005, 2006 Tech Course Champion: Expedition Trophy
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    I use a magnetic based round 3-LED tap light.
    I keep it on the drivers side just behind the door so I can find it when I open the door at night (I have no functiuoning interior light) but can pull it off and stick it anywhere.
    Works pretty well...
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  4. #4
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    I used two of these so far:

    http://www.sylvania.com/AboutUs/Pres...A300/dotit.htm

    $8 each at Autozone.

    One is inside my truck cap, over my ammo can. (For tools, not ammo...)

    The other is on the underside of the passenger side visor, as a map light. I can read by the light when my wife is driving, and no glare to the driver. Uses 3 AAA batteries, so leaving it on is not a big deal. I installed them with industial velcro, so they double as a flashlight, if the other 4 stop working.

    Do you not have map lights on either side of the rear view mirror? I don't, but if I get to the salvage yard, I hope to pick up the parts and retro-fit them. IIRC, you pick up power from the interior light, and the truck will automatically shut it off if you forget to.
    .
    on edit: check out this thread: http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum...ight=map+light
    Last edited by njtaco; 03-27-2007 at 09:59 PM.
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  5. #5
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    The sylvanias dot its are awesome. I have them mounted to the underside of my hannibal roof tent for illuminated cooking and what not. I didnt think about the interior of the truck man that is a great idea.

    Aaron

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Martinjmpr
    As I'm spending more time in my new (to me) 04 Tacoma one thing that is becoming clear is that the interior lighting leaves a lot to be desired. Besides the fact that the dome light is mounted in the center of the cab roof, behind my head (which puts anything on the floor into the shadows) reaching up behind my head to turn it on is considerably inconvenient.

    So what have others done to improve the lighting situation in the cab? Something cheap and simple would be preferable. I'd love to get an overhead console above the windshield but I'm not aware of anybody who makes such a thing for the Tacoma.
    You don't have reading lights thats near rear view mirror? You can switch those to a brighter bulb or LED
    Last edited by Super Doody; 03-27-2007 at 10:38 PM.
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  7. #7
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    Mine has the two lights up by the rear view mirror, which I think was included in the SR5 package. Don't you have those?
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  8. #8
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    Send a pim to outsidr. His chevy has a great interiro led set up. The led are run through the headliner and tap into the 12v system. You can get any color but he runs red as to not mess up his "night vision". I think he runs 5 in the hea dliner and then then 4 in the foot well areas. Simply awesome.

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by MountainBiker
    Mine has the two lights up by the rear view mirror, which I think was included in the SR5 package. Don't you have those?
    Yeah, if you have the SR5 I believe you should have the two map lights next to the mirror. They are bright and easy to reach.
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  10. #10
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    i actually got a couple white led rocker switches, they are like 6 bucks, and they are so bright i dont even need a interior light. i will try and take a pic of it when i get home.
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