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Fit additional boot lighting


Difficulty - Medium

Time - about 90 minutes

Tools required - Trim tool (example here) http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/Product...ProductID=26229 or similar lever. Phillips screwdriver, 10 and 14mm sockets and drivers. Drill and jig saw or similar cutting tool.

Introduction

The boot light is attached to the rear door which is not much good when the door is open. I got an additional light from a scrap yard and wired it in to come on with the existing switch so that it comes on automatically when the door is opened.

Procedure

First obtain a suitable light. I got this one from a scrap yard but the supplier could not be sure which kind of car it came from however it does say GM on it so it could be a Vectra or similar. In obtaining a light try to get one that has simple male spade terminals and it is probably best to avoid having a switched one but not essential. This probably came from a boot, glovebox or sunvisor so you can have a look around complete cars to find something suitable. If the wires to it have a unique plug, try to get the plug and about 75mm of wire to ease fitting. Here I am measuring the light to see what size hole I need to cut in the panel;

IMG_1205.jpg

There is a limit of how many photos can be attached to a post so follow the instructions in this pdf file to show how to get the rear quarter panel off. You will need to follow items 1,2 and 3 on page 8. Then items 6,7 and 8 on page 10 then the instructions on page 10 if you are going to do just the drivers side or both page 10 and 11 if you want to do the passenger side or both sides.

http://techdoc.toyota-europe.com/aimupload...000%20386-1.pdf

It doesn't matter which side you put the light in, I did the drivers side but you could do the other or better still both if you can find 2 matching lights.

When you have the panel off it will look like this;

IMG_1199.jpg

Look at the panel and find a location that is fairly high up but will not foul anything at the back. I chose a location just forward of the top of the removable panel. Mark the position of the light;

IMG_1206.jpg

Cut out a piece of card the same size as the opening determined earlier. If anything make the opening on the small side and you can always open it up later if the light is tight. Centre the card on the marked position and then draw around it;

IMG_1209.jpg

Drill a hole then cut the aperture for the light. Don't have it too tight - keep making adjustments until just right.

IMG_1210.jpg

Now look inside the door frame on the hinge side where the rubber umbilical trunking carries the wires from the door. There are 2 plugs. You are working with the lower one and here I have disconnected it to show which wires you need to splice into;

IMG_1201.jpg

The wires are the ones nearest the camera marked in red. Peel back some of the protective sheath and run a length of twin core wire that is long enough to run to the chosen location. I don't like scotch locks in anything other than an entirely weather free location so I have used them here to splice into the two marked wires. Attach male spade terminals to the other end or the piece of wire attached to the plug if you got one with the light. Now is a good time to re-attach the battery earth lead and just test the light;

IMG_1203.jpg

Although I haven't got a second light I took this opportunity to run two looped in wires to the other side of the boot so that fitting a second one will only need me to take one panel off;

IMG_1204.jpg

Now you can refit all of the panels by reversing the instructions in the pdf file. Be sure to very securely clip up all of the wires and insulate any connections. Finally attach the wires to the light and pop the light into the panel;

IMG_1212-1.jpg

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