I wasn't too happy with the stock light in the hatch area, so I decided to disconnect it and install some 4-chip LEDs from Oznium (I also used their chrome LED holders). I put one LED in each of the tail light access panels to evenly illuminate the hatch area. I also put one in the lower center of the hatch door. When the hatch door is opened, it illuminates the ground behind the car...I thought that would come in handy if I'm loading things from a cart (groceries, Target, whatever...) at night. I took a few pics...sorry they are kind of blurry, but it was cold and I was in a hurry.

Let me know what you think!

The hatch area with both lights on (looks kind of dim, but it is brighter in person)...


The light on the hatch door...


Location of install on the hatch door...


Location of install on passenger side tail light access panel...

 

I like it . . . a lot. I assume you were able to utilize the stock wiring on the driver's side - what did you tap into for the other 2?

 

Thanks!!! I actually used the hatch light on the driver's side to power all three of the LEDs...I just fed wiring underneath the panels to each location. They draw such a small amount of juice that the stock wiring was more than enough to power the three LEDs.

 

good mod. how is it secured? Just drilling a hole tight enough for the LED's diameter?

 

I drilled a hole just big enough to fit the LED housing. The back side of the housing is also threaded and it comes with a bolt to secure it.

 

looks great.
please take some better pics when you get
a chance.

it's a little different than what i did.
def less work than what i did also.
+rep


https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...t-upgrade.html

 

Thanks! I'll try to take some more pictures this weekend.

I like the light w/ switch that you put in too...I was initially planning on putting in a switch on mine, but decided against it at the last second. It would be a fairly easy addition, so I figured I can always go back and add one later if I want to.

 

I finally got around to taking some better pictures of the LEDs that I installed. I took these in my garage due to rain, but it is dark, so you can see the lights better.

Here you can see how bright and evenly lit the hatch area is...



This better shows how the LED in the hatch door illuminates the ground behind the car...

 

now those pics look good.
great job.

 

That looks really awesome. I might try this out myself.

 

very clever idea to put em where you did! And nice install w the rings!

 

Thanks! I helped my sister move last weekend and the hatch door light helped out quite a bit as we were carting stuff in and out of the Fit at night. It's amazing how much light the one little LED produces behind the car.

 

Can you give any more detail on how you got your wiring into the hatch door?

 

So Im curious... these LEDs take 12V then? I have never installed LEDs in any of my cars, hence the question...

 

I didn't take any pictures (I can try to get some for you if you really want to see) and it was several months ago that I did this install, so this is how I recall doing it:

I tapped into the same power source that I used for the hatch lights. I then ran the wires up the interior paneling to where the brake light and weather stripping meet. There is a small gap there, so I ran the wires out of there and then continued going up under the weather stripping until i reached the top of the car. There is a rubber pipe there that is used to run the wires to the third brake. You can either run the wires through it if you want to take it off or you can run them along side it and secure it with electrical tape or zip-ties. Once I got it through there, I ran the wires under the lip where the door and window meet and then under the paneling on the hatch door until I got to the panel where I had installed the LED.

 

Yeah, just connect them to a 12V power source and you are ready to go!

Here is a link to the LEDs that I used:

12-volt ready waterproof superflux LEDs

 

Damn yo! This is exactly what I've been looking for. I'm using 5mm ultra brights blue-3.7volt, 20ma, 2600mcd and 10mm white-3.6volt, 25ma, 7000mcd. Your install isn't as bright but for interior lights they are perfect! Excellent job!

 

where did you get the rings from? great job btw haha

 

I got them from Oznium.com (along with the LEDs). They are available in black or chrome and in a few different sizes. Here is a link to them:
LED Holders

 

awesome. what size did you get for the superflux LEDs? 10mm?