Center Console LED Light Install......A DIY.

I recently installed this switch actuated automatic light on my 2018 Tundra SR5 DC. Here are some nighttime pic's:





All parts were purchased from Amazon:
The LED lamp....


Plunger Switch:


USB fast charger:


Piggy-back crimp on terminals:


I had previously replaced the cigarette lighter jack (hence no pic's) on the rear of the center console with the dual USB charger unit. This charger has 1/4" spade terminals. I cut off the original cigarette lighter jack plastic connector and crimped on the piggy-back terminals to the original wires. So the console light gets its power from these piggyback terminals. You route the +/- 12 volts up the hinge channel. I used some nice white flexible jacketed cable I had, should have colored it black (Some power adapter wire would be ideal).










The wiring:






You simply wire it up so the red +12 volts is interrupted by the plunger switch.

Overall this setup is almost perfect.
One negative is that because the power is from the cigarette lighter circuit, the light is only operational when the ignition key is turned on. So if you need to run out at night to grab something quick from the console, you need your keys or a flashlight.
I chose to mount the light where I did to provide good light coverage of the entire box contents. The LED light gives the right amount of light and covers the entire box.
The plunger switch is a bit cheap. But its size works perfect for the location. The switch hole is about 5/8" dia. It is simply a friction fit so as long as you don't over bore it........
Also, the switch inner connection point is a weird coil spring kinda thing that I'd guess takes a male bullet type connector. I was able to easily solder to it.......so soldering is required. The light has maybe 4 inch long wires coming out the backside of it at the middle.

Works great!

 

Great write up. putting parts in cart now.

 

The same switch might work but we would have to verify there is room for the switch body "behind the scene".
The spring tension is not very high. You can hold it depressed with your finger without any pain/difficulty.
It certainly be handy to use the same LED light though since they are sold in pairs.
You got me thinking......

 

Waiting for your write up on the glove box.

 

Yea....me too.....
I was just looking into the cabin filter removal to see what's behind in there.

 

I'm sure there is real estate back there for the plunger. Now if it takes 2 days to get to it on the other hand...

 

Yup, me too! Thank you!

 

The same switch and the extra light will work in the glove box.
I got a peek down behind the left side of the glove box and there is room for the switch.
The light itself would probably be mounted on the ceiling of the box. Like I did with the center console, I will jumper 12v to the light to see where and how it will look at night.
It may be that a side mounted light will be better in the glove box, not sure yet.

 

I just bought this:


I want to see if it's a better and cheaper option.

 

Do you remember how you got into the console for the receptacle swap/electrical hookup? Do you have to remove the entire console from the floor?

 

You don't need to remove the console. The rear end simply unsnaps. Sitting in the middle of the back seat, grab the body and snatch toward your head. Up and back. That's on my SR5 anyway which has no HVAC ducts in the ass end of the console.

There are video's showing disassembly, watch a couple of them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwnuCxPjzfw

 

Nice work OP! I had considered this pin switch when I did my glove box lighting and jump seat console lighting. I went with an OEM switch after all for both.

FWIW, here a write up of the glove box light mod I did.

 

Very professional work Matt!!
I had previously watched your video on dash disassembly but I had not seen your glove box light addition so thanks!! The OEM switch is probably the best way to get a quality switch (hopefully).

Did you add a center console box light on your truck? Link? Oops...I see you did a jump seat console light mod....Link? (I'm being lazy I know)

 

Thank you sir for the kind comments!

Pat @2020Platinum, deserves the credit for the awesome videos! I added his dash disassembly video to my glove box light write up because I think it is the best one out there.

I didn’t do a write up on the jump seat LED’s but here is a link to what I posted.
https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...d-gen-tundra-today.713/page-1412#post-1854203

 

Nice job.

 

Thank you sir!!...appreciate all the support!!

 

Matt's LED glove box light mod ^ is probably the best way given the physical layout of the glove box and the potential to have dark areas if a single light is used.
None the less, I will be trying out a single LED light for the glove box. I have one ordered that I want to possibly fit to the right side wall inside the box.
I love simple and cheap DIY's!
I'm not broke or a cheap ass, I love the challenge.
More to come........