Super VXer
rear door light?
I just bought my VX a couple days ago (only took me 5 years) and its bugging me that theres no light in the back cargo area when i open the back door... so ive decided my official first mod will be a pressure switch for the rear gate and a light/lights to illuminate the cargo area... anyone got suggestions how to do this? thanks
eric
Super VXer
I took a look at all that is back there and when I get around to it, I am going to install very small (3mm) white LED's (already bought) in the small grooved openings and install a simple switch from Home Depot probably. Anyone know where the best place to get a positive and negative back there? I know this mod has been done before with lights.
Super VXer
for a + u might have to pull form a radio or from teh battery....but u can ground anywhere really...
Super VXer
Get a light from a junk yard (allhyundaiisuzu - don't know the web site) and wire it into your existing dome light. If you use a snake (or coat hanger) to fish the wires, you can hook it right into the existing wiring there. When you open the doors, it will come on with the original, or you can push it on. If you want it to work with the back door, wire in a pin switch to the back door as well. This will activate all your lights when the back door is open.
"If you're not living on the edge --- you're taking up too much space!!"
Super VXer
If you think the lack of a rear dome light is annoying, wait until you have to take the keys out of the ignition to open the rear door five or six times! The fix for this is a fix for BOTH problems... get Tone's rear door popper kit (see http://tonemonday.com). A LOT of the people on this board have gotten and installed it - it is almost a required mod for the VX.
Benefits:
- gives you a push-button switch for the dash or center console that will pop open the rear door
- wires the rear door into the alarm system (no, it is not connected to the alarm system normally)
- makes the dome light turn on when the rear door is opened
These are really surprisingly bad shortcomings of the stock VX design, but they are easily fixed with the door popper kit. You could collect all of the parts yourself for cheaper than the $130 Tone is charging, but his kit is complete and it works.
Good luck, and welcome to the family!
I agree with Viehigaz, one of the best mods that was done to mine. If I remember correctly it has a trooper domelight in the back and also has a manual on/off switch on the light itself. Just make sure you put it back far enough so the rear seats dont cast a shadow of the area your trying to light up.
Super VXer
Those are great mods that you'll love. In the meantime, there's no need to take the key out of the ignition to get in the back door or back into your home. Get a two-part key chain and keep a second ignition key with your other keys. You could even keep it running and lock the door as you make a quick stop at a mini-mart.
Mark
Last edited by deermagnet : 02/23/2006 at 08:04 AM
Super VXer
I used a 1st gen Rodeo rear cargo light in Ruflyf's VX. It was small and had a built in switch. Wiring was fairly easy, just remember that most dome lights use a switched ground (from the door pin switch) and constant positive. This means that for an on-off-auto switch you'd run one postive wire, one ground wire, and one wire from the door pin switch (switched ground). You may be able to connect all 3 easily to the front dome light, but in his VX the sunroof was in the way. I just installed it when the door popper was being installed. Constant 12V was easy, ground was easy, and I just connected the switched ground to the new rear door pin switch.
-Tad
Super VXer
I’ve been catching up on my VX reading some lately – Glad I spotted this one.
I really like the idea of combining Tad’s rear dome light fix with Tone’s popper – Hopefully I’ll get around to doing both soon…
Those weekly Friday night Wally World load-outs are starting to get pretty old without illumination –-- And I finally realized why the popper is such a cool mod when I was standing at the back door with my keys in my right hand, and a 12-count case of ATF under my left arm… (3-2-1-) “DUH!”
"This trail is so bumpy, it's knocking my bra straps off!" - Miss Kathy
Super VXer
Rear Dome Light
Many here have done this Mod:
Isuzu Impuse dome light Part# 8-94111-248-0
Same exact dome light as Vehicross Part# 8-97153-956-0, except in black.
I found this one on Ebay, Brand New in box for $10.
Also put in a pair of #T-6 - PIAA Xtreme White bulbs #19223
It's wired in parallel with the center dome light.
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rickshaw
Original Owner
#467 01' Dragon
Super VXer
Nice! - I really like the clean, matching look
Super VXer
that looks really good rick, thanks to everyone for all your help, i will probably end up using Tone door popper kit with another dome light... whats the best way to wire above the headliner?
Super VXer
Very nicely done!!
Just a question or two...
1) So you ran your own wires connected off from the existing front dome light to the back...what kind and how many wires were used?
2) How did you get the wires to go under the headliner (without drastically removing anything or destroying what's under the liner, like the adhesive,etc)?
3) Is the new light just mounted to the headliner or is it bolted to the metal underneath somehow?
Appreciate the info!!
Originally Posted by rickshaw
Super VXer
1) I ran a total of 3 wires, the Dome Light had two and I also ran a Ground Wire from the New Dome Light to a solid ground on the body. I used left over 18 gauge wire from another Mod I did, (Moncha's Front Corner Marker Conversion to Turn Signal).
2) The Rear Headliner Trim is only trim piece to remove. The trim will come off if pulled rearward with careful help of a screwdriver. The Headliner has about an inch of insulation glued to it but it's not glued to the roof. The wires were easily fished with a coat hanger.
3) I mounted the New Dome Light direct to the Headliner using sheet metal clips.
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rickshaw
Original Owner
#467 01' Dragon
Super VXer
nice, thanks bud!
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