Mods for cheap bastards!

[rhino74s]

I always felt like we got cheated with no ignition key light. Had looked at the one for the Ist in Japan but who wants to pay $100 for a simple light.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JDM-2008-TOYOTA-IST-SCION-xD-IGNITION-KEY-LIGHT-JAPAN_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem53d86fdc5fQQitemZ 360113495135QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAc cessories

So I did some investigating and found a cheap solution.. . .

1. Go here and buy this http://www.oznium.com/prewired-leds and this http://www.oznium.com/led-holder I used the 3mm size, 5mm might fit but will be close.
2. Remove the small door at left of steering column:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/rhino74s/xD/sidepanel.jpg

3. Use T-taps on blue and pink wires (blue = positive / pink = negative) (I always disconnect negative battery terminal before any mods like this) :

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/rhino74s/xD/junctionbox.jpg

4. Remove bottom section of plastic steering colum by undoing 3 screws. Drill 1/4" hole for the 3mm led holder and snap into place:

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/rhino74s/xD/keyringlightoff.jpg

5. Run about a foot of positive/negative wire between T-taps and your led and connect with either solder or quick connects.

6. Enjoy being able to see the ignition in the dark! (day pic):

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/rhino74s/xD/keyringlightonday.jpg

btw: this works same as dome light, so the led comes on when you open the door and dims / turns off at the same time.
Total cost for this mod: about $3 and 15 minutes of your time, depending on skill level.

[rhino74s]

night pics. . . brighter than I expected.

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/rhino74s/xD/DSCF0814.jpg

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/rhino74s/xD/DSCF0815.jpg

[ibeDAMD]

love it ryan!

[TheLittleDeviant]

WOW, Good mod! and thanks for the write up!

[JDMJim]

not bad.. how much more would this cost?
http://carview-img02.bmcdn.jp/minkara/note/000/000/815/206/815206/p3.jpg

[Luc1f3r]

cool idea. i dont have any dome lights in mine and could really use some light in the car... how ironic i have the brightest car with no useable lights... i may steal this in white.

thanks for the idea!

[rhino74s]

silly Luci, all flash no function. . . :bleh:

steal away. . . that's the point of the DIY, share the knowledge.
If nothing else that's a great tap point for any lighting you want to come on, dim and go off like the dome light does.

JDMJim, I don't know. First would be, would it fit on the xD. You could tap any light source on this location and have it work. Just a matter of the light ring fitting there and how it attaches.