Thread: Extra Tailgate Lighting

My version of extra tailgate lighting. I've seen passing reference to adding lighting but haven't seen much detail.
I wanted more light at the back for when camping and other times when using the tailgate at night.
The factory light is already converted to LED for a big improvement but decided that extra lighting run off the aux battery available anytime via a switch would be more useful.

I think it's turned out really well. I hadn't expected how much light would be available further out than the tailgate, as you can see in the before/after photo below.
Note that the before photo is LEDs which is already greatly improved from factory bulbs.


And this is just the additional lights alone for comparison.


The setup is four small "eagle eye" LEDs (3W each) and a rocker switch.
You can see two of them and the switch in the photo below.


I guess this option is not for everyone as it does involve drilling holes into the trim panel but it puts the lights in the perfect location for illuminating the lower tailgate and surrounds when the upper is raised.
Light also spills nicely into the boot area, which will also be useful when the rear drawers are in use.

Power is spliced off the rear aux socket cable that is part of the Traxide kit, located below the 3rd row seats. Then ran it up the side trim and above the headlining where the factory boot light is located.
From there I pushed the cable through the rubber grommet into the tailgate and tied it to the factory wiring loom.

For the local wiring I drilled small holes through some of the fins in the plastic, which keeps things neat and tidy.


The lights come with a threaded tail and nut.

Jaycar sells Wiring Loom Braided Wrap that is self-closing which is good for preventing abrasion & keeping things neat, so I used this in a few locations.

I decided to add an "extension lead" to the power cable so that the trim panel could rest on the tailgate when removed and used small Anderson plugs at each end.

To finish this off the extension cables were enclosed in the wiring loom braided wrap as this has to be loose inside the trim panel.
Just makes things slightly easier if/when the trim panel has to come off again.

For reference, the trim panel part number is ERQ000104PVJ and is probably around $200

Anyway, that's what I came up with. Would be interesting to see what other people have done.

Cheers,
Scott

Great idea and execution again Scott. Looks very neat.
I used a couple of strips similar to Justin (these: 84 LED Aluminium LED Strip with Switch | Lighting - LED Products | Eco Consumer Products | Ecotech | PRODUCTS | ST3932 | Jaycar Electronics) They're individually switched so we can just turn them on and off when needed - I switch off all the car lights when camping.
I mounted them in my fridge cage (usually when I need the extra light I'm camping and have the fridge in the car) - they fit perfectly inside the cage.
One faces up, reflecting light off the roof and the other across the cargo space. I know, didn't happen without pics - I'll take some and post later.

David