» Site Navigation
»
» Vehicle Specific Sites
» Other Sites
» Search Used Cars
Search for used vehicles by ZIP, please enter Zipcode below:
Google Links

» Car Quotes
» Log in
User Name:

Password:

Not a member yet?
Register Now!
» Wheel & Tire Center


Sponsors

» Auto Resources
Search for new Toyota trucks and Toyota cars for sale such as a Toyota Prius, Toyota Avalon and many other Toyota models.
» Sponsor Links
»Garage Storage and Cabinets
Go Back   Toyota Forums :: Toyota Nation > Toyota Division Forums > Tacoma Forum > 2005+ Tacoma General
Register Home Forum Gallery Active Topics TN Arcade Blogs Mark Forums Read

2005+ Tacoma General Discussion area for all the new Toyota Tacoma owners out there!


       
ToyotaNation.com is the premier Toyota Forum and Toyota News Source on the internet. We discuss all Toyota models on the forum. Registered Users do not see the above ads. Please Register - It's Free!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-06-2006, 11:25 PM   #1
GrantGrant
lookin for an ass race?
 
GrantGrant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UCF Orlando
Posts: 56
Trader Rating: (0)
View GrantGrant's Photo Gallery
Cathode Footwell Lights DIY (pics heavy)

Hey I thought id post a pretty indepth diy for footwell lights for people who might be intrested in doing it or wanna see what it entails. Its really easy skill level required is really low. I know at least one person that wanted this lol.

Please dont tell me this is to ricerish or what not its just a cool fun thing to do that i think adds a nice touch to the interior. It is alittle tacky but it was fun to do.

Some pics are missing mainly because i did this along time ago and i just switched out the lights recently.

Anyways ill start out with the basic tools and parts
I bought the Cathodes at http://svc.com/
Heres the link. Click on your colour preference. Ive already done blue and its waaay to distracting. USE RED.
http://svc.com/logisys-12ccfl.html Get the dual tube ones, They come with a switch and are a better deal.
You can also buy these at any computer accessory store, like frys electronics and so on. SVC is cheap but there shipping is bad. Takes about a week.


Your gonna also need the car antenna and some frosty drinks.

Now i didnt get to many pics of this part but theres a couple options.
1: First your gonna want to find a powersource.
The easiest one to use is the mirror control. Just splice the power cable(last one on the right) or stick your wire in there. Or you can use the battery.

2: Now when you open the cathode box youll find this blue thing. Its the inverter. strip the 2 black and red wires shown. Wire your switch up how you like. (I dont want to go into full detail there are other threads on switches, and i forgot how i wired it)


To mount the switch remove one of your empty buttons and keep using proggessivly larger drills. Once its big enough use a file, and file down the rest

3: I used a bolt behind the brake pedal for a ground. It was a bitch to unscrew but its a good ground. You guys can proly find a better one.

4: Now find a place for the inverter. I put it right below the change purse

5: Now if you only want the driver side lite up find a place to mount the cathode (I zip tied mine to the hood release cable(zip ties are great incase u wanna move the cathode later)



6: This part is optional but will require the most time. If you want the passenger side lite up first thing u need to do is get about 2 lengths 6-8 feet of wire. Tie them both to your car antenna. And gently shove it behind your glove box and radio to get to the driver side. Taking your radio out can make this process alot easier.



7. Once your to the driver side wire the lights to the inverter. Then mount the passenger side cathode ( I zip tied mine to the little spaces below the glove box teeth thing.) Check the polarity of the wires first before u wire it all together.

8: Finished!





9: Chances are your glove box spring loader thingy hook is gonna get flimsy like mine did from taking it off so much. I have a simple fix. Take a hot glue gun, and put some glue in the middle of the 2 teeth. This should stop the teeth from sagging and making the spring loader falling out of place. Pic



Im all open to suggestions. I dont have any problems with the mod. It works fine and now that i have the red it isnt as distracting as the blue, since it matches the gauges.

Lastly Im not responsible if your car catches on fire or is damaged. If you wire something wrong the inverter could get hot and catch on fire. There ment to run hot though they are used for comp lights.
__________________
Black 2006 Tacoma Double Cab TRD Sport Package Short bed
Performance: TRD Exhaust, KN/AEM Hybrid Intake
Exterior: Skid Plate, Black Grillcraft Grill:Interior: DF-TOY
Lighting: Bed lights, Foot well lights, Stealth bulbs
My Cathode DIY write up!

Last edited by GrantGrant : 06-07-2006 at 12:43 AM.
GrantGrant is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 
Old 06-06-2006, 11:31 PM   #2
cam2Xrunner
.
 
cam2Xrunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: southern california
Posts: 9,231
Trader Rating: (3)
Supreme Member
View cam2Xrunner's Photo Gallery
Great post man! Thanks.

Added to the DIY sticky
__________________


The ratio of people to cake is too big. - Milton
cam2Xrunner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2006, 11:33 PM   #3
UCFnate
What
 
UCFnate's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 46
Trader Rating: (0)
View UCFnate's Photo Gallery
Looks great GrantGrant, well done!
__________________
2005 Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab-Black
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2308001/1


UCFnate is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2006, 11:53 PM   #4
timtsb
Go Hokies!
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Cape May, NJ/Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 194
Trader Rating: (0)
View timtsb's Photo Gallery
i feel stupid. this is supposed to be easy? way over my head without guidance.
__________________

2005 Tacoma TRD Offroad, custom Flowmaster 50 Series Delta Flow Dual Exhaust, Aries Tube Steps, Lund Screen Grill, Access Tonneau Cover, 265/75-16 Terra Grapplers
timtsb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 12:08 AM   #5
GrantGrant
lookin for an ass race?
 
GrantGrant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UCF Orlando
Posts: 56
Trader Rating: (0)
View GrantGrant's Photo Gallery
Hmm well you gotta have basic wiring skills. And you gotta know how to wire a switch, and about grounding. Its real easy to learn and imo its fun.
GrantGrant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 12:11 AM   #6
cj99si
"Clean" the best mod.
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Maine
Posts: 1,910
Trader Rating: (1)
View cj99si's Photo Gallery
I might have missed it in the post, but when do they come on? with the switch or when you open the door?
__________________

05 4X4 DC LB TRD Sport(OME 885's, Alcan AAL,silver HL mod, 265/70/17s Firestone destination AT's)
99 Audi A4
"Attention to Detail" mobile auto detailinghttp://www.att2detail.com
http://coreymichaelphoto.com
cj99si is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 12:14 AM   #7
Marc M
Mine is better than yours
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Washington, Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,150
Trader Rating: (6)
View Marc M's Photo Gallery
I did something similiar for a co-worker a while back, but wired the lights to his domelight circuit. They came on when you unlocked the door with the remote, and dimmed out when you closed the door along with the domelight.

Marc M
__________________
'06 Tacoma Dbl-cab, 4X4, V6, 6-spd, SR5 / TRD Off Road
'90 4Runner SR5 5-Spd
'86 Shortbed 4X4 5-Spd,SAS'd ASAP
'82 Supra 5-Spd
Take your automatic and "Stick" it........
Marc M is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 12:14 AM   #8
timtsb
Go Hokies!
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Cape May, NJ/Blacksburg, VA
Posts: 194
Trader Rating: (0)
View timtsb's Photo Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by GrantGrant
Hmm well you gotta have basic wiring skills. And you gotta know how to wire a switch, and about grounding.
yeah, i know nothing. i imagine it's pretty simple to learn the basics, i've just never had the opportunity.
timtsb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 12:15 AM   #9
GrantGrant
lookin for an ass race?
 
GrantGrant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: UCF Orlando
Posts: 56
Trader Rating: (0)
View GrantGrant's Photo Gallery
There switched( The circular switch), I wanted to do the dome light thing but id just rather be in control.
GrantGrant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 01:44 AM   #10
kooltaco
Tragically Hip
 
kooltaco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 342
Trader Rating: (0)
View kooltaco's Photo Gallery
Great write up, this is on my list of mods. Instead of cutting any wires could i just use one of these in an empty fuse location?
__________________
Looking for a Place to Happen...Picking Stops Along the Way.....
2006 Double Cab TRD Sport, Tow 4X4 Speedway Blue
Bed locks, Redline Hood Struts, Weathertech Floor Liners-front & rear, Bed Mat, Hood Deflector, Pop n Lock, Running Boards, Lund Grille insert.

Last edited by kooltaco : 06-11-2006 at 05:50 PM.
kooltaco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 02:11 AM   #11
kooltaco
Tragically Hip
 
kooltaco's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 342
Trader Rating: (0)
View kooltaco's Photo Gallery
If I was to find a Toyota Fog light switch from an auto wrecker, would it work with this type of lights or bed lights? I just want to keep the dash factory looking. Yeah I'm anal about the details, ki.nda like a few others on the site
kooltaco is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 02:12 AM   #12
ThunderStruck1
Responsible Driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Maryland
Posts: 210
Trader Rating: (0)
View ThunderStruck1's Photo Gallery
Well done Grant!

I wish somebody can do a mod to change the orange glow (to white etc.) in the dash. Anyone?? I haven't seen it yet but i think it's just a set of diodes in there.
ThunderStruck1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 02:20 AM   #13
cam2Xrunner
.
 
cam2Xrunner's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: southern california
Posts: 9,231
Trader Rating: (3)
Supreme Member
View cam2Xrunner's Photo Gallery
Quote:
Originally Posted by ThunderStruck1

I wish somebody can do a mod to change the orange glow (to white etc.) in the dash. Anyone?? I haven't seen it yet but i think it's just a set of diodes in there.

I'm going to try do this in the next few weeks.

Here's a past discussion.

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t137652.html

I believe the type of LED's and setup the Tacoma uses is the same as the newer Camry's.
cam2Xrunner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2006, 02:28 AM   #14
ThunderStruck1
Responsible Driver
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Maryland
Posts: 210
Trader Rating: (0)
View ThunderStruck1's Photo Gallery
thanks cam! as always u
ThunderStruck1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2006, 05:41 PM   #15
LiquidClen
Smell the Audiophiliacity
 
LiquidClen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Miami
Posts: 1,221
Trader Rating: (4)
Supreme Member
View LiquidClen's Photo Gallery
Wow, awesome write up. Wish I would have seen it earlier. I'll definitely put it on my "To-Do" List
__________________
LiquidClen is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
Advertisement
 
Reply

  Toyota Forums :: Toyota Nation > Toyota Division Forums > Tacoma Forum > 2005+ Tacoma General



Thread Tools
Display Modes