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I don't drive that many miles, about 7K per year on average, but as the seasons change and we return to standard timeI will find myself driving more in the dark than I have been for a while. I am not thrilled with the amount of light that projects onto the center cupholders and the small tray below the 12V/US/HDMI ports. I don't want to do anything too fancy, costly, or involved, but would like a bit more lighting. If anything is place in the cupholder(s), the little bit of light from above is nearly cancelled. I'm thinking of getting one of these gooseneck type lights that plugs into the usb and can be manipulated as needed. What do others do to increase the amount of light projected into the area immediately in front of, and into, the cupholders.
I've personally never had a reason to illuminate that area more than what's there. If I need real lighting I'll turn on the map lights which I've swapped leds in.
I've personally never had a reason to illuminate that area more than what's there. If I need real lighting I'll turn on the map lights which I've swapped leds in.
I'm also looking to upgrade the map lights to LED. College Hills has an overpriced bundle package which includes a bulb for the dome light. My EXL has a moonroof and no dome light. Can you please tell me which LED bulbs will replace my current OEM lights in the maps? I'd also like to upgrade the cargo light. It all seems a bit confusing.
The goal was to go as big as possible! And here are my findings:
40 LED Panel = Dome Light
20 Led Panel = Map Lights
12 Led Panel = Trunk Light
20 leds into the map lights, they barely fit:
For the trunk, 12 LED panel was the most that would fit back there:
Not pictured ... but I did try to shove a 48 led panel in the dome light ... huge fail. one 20 led panel only took up 1/2 the space of the dome light, so I decided .... I'll combine 2 and make it a 40 led panel:
I'm also looking to upgrade the map lights to LED. College Hills has an overpriced bundle package which includes a bulb for the dome light. My EXL has a moonroof and no dome light. Can you please tell me which LED bulbs will replace my current OEM lights in the maps? I'd also like to upgrade the cargo light. It all seems a bit confusing.
My EX has a moon roof and has a dome light behind it. My build thread has the LED bulbs I used. I did the cargo light and it's worth doing also.
These have to be charged up too often. Would have to drill holes under cup holder to connect to a constant 5V source to keep them charged while driving. Its doable, but is it really worth it?
These have to be charged up too often. Would have to drill holes under cup holder to connect to a constant 5V source to keep them charged while driving. Its doable, but is it really worth it?
I’m not seeing this particular mod when reading the 9 pages from your signature pic. Lots of good info, but not on the center cup holder area
Sorry, I thought I had that info. I just updated with below info. I didn't do anything for the center cup area as the map lights are more than adequate for my needs:
License plate and front corner lamps - I had tried the ones that I used in the map light, but they kept developing a flicker issue after a while. I switched to these since the LED aren't exposed and haven't had a problem since.
Sorry, I thought I had that info. I just updated with below info. I didn't do anything for the center cup area as the map lights are more than adequate for my needs:
Light is light....
So how one manipulates it, or changes it's source is up to the individual. As seen in this thread it can be simple or progressively more complicated.
IMO?
Well decades ago, I owned an old 1970's Corolla. It was old when I got it. But...it cost me $400 and it was great. BUT....it had no dash gauge lights. I used a cigarette lighter plug in, goose neck light to illuminate the dash.
And quite frankly I hated it. It looked like crap.
So I'm kind of against any type of plug in...goose neck adjustable lighting. I think it's VERY utilitarian...that is fine for specific moments and applications. BUT...I wouldn't want it as a permanent or common part of my vehicle.
09-26-2018, 10:06 AM
