I have yet to see an option I like staying with only 1 reverse light, so I'm beginning my tC mods by adding a 2nd backup light. I hope to get it done this weekend, but I think I want to swap the regular 12V, 21W wedge base bulb with an LED while I'm at it. Here are the steps I see as of now:

CSOCSO has a pretty thorough writeup on LEDs from http://www.superbrightleds.com (https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...78#post2555978), but I'm still not sure the bulb I'm looking at is the right conversion.

The stock bulb fits pretty tight (mainly because the wires are held so tight), so I really want to make sure the LED isn't any bigger, but I don't want to lose brightness. http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-b...ED-WHP13-T.htm

If those are the right bulbs, I'll get them ordered. Next step is to find the right plug at the auto parts store, and see if the passenger side harness has power at the necessary pin.

 

are you just going to shove the LED bulb in a drilled hole on the pass side?

 

Certainly not my first choice. The other side has the attachment for the fixture molded into the housing, so I haven't quite figured out how to mount the new fixture in the hole on the passenger's side. Obvious issue being replacing the bulb if/when it goes out.

I'm hoping a trip to the auto parts store and RadioShack will shed some light on things.

 

i didn't see a hole on the passenger side the last i saw. though never really checked out the back of the taillight though. is there something molded?

 

There is a shadow cutout in the housing. What I'm hoping to find is a a 2-part fixture kinda like a door frame. An outer part I can permanently glue in place and an inner section I can remove to replace bulbs when necessary. We'll see.

 

^Or you can just start calling favours in the middle east and order both tail lights. They got both bulbs overseas. China got a fog light in one of them.

But remember, its not a Scion tC there, its a Toyota Zelas. And yes you need both tail lights as ours say Scion in them and those under the Toyota name do not.

 

That would be very cool if you could glue in a socket to plug the light into.
Good luck!
looking forward to seein it done so I can compare to WeselyScion's redded out tail lol

 

I work for a autopart commercial chain so I was thinking of a way to add a second reverse light. We have a good relationship with our local toyota so I was asking them if anything I can do to add another reverse light. I was actually trying to see if he can sell me a second socket so I could splice it into the harness and thread a hole in to add it. He faxed me this diagram of the left side reverse light assembly as one piece. Don't know if this would help in any way but I figured I would post it up.

 

Are you saying that because the word Scion is stamped onto the tailight somewhere that isnt visible unless working on the tailight that its totally necessary to order 2 tailights because one will have scion and the other wont?

I am pretty sure i remember reading in a thread in the 2G tC forum that there is a hole there just covered by a sticker. So going by that why not see how much the wiring harness is for the tailight and wire that into the existing wiring and then plug in the correct LED bulbs. Not sure on if there is anywhere to mount the bulb holder like in the other side but I am sure a dremel would help make somethign to work.

 

1stOne: Thanks for the idea. I will certainly do some homework. If I can get the whole housing, it would make it much easier and give it a more professional look.

Obie: I'm basically in the research stage of what you're looking at doing. And thank you for the diagram. Part number for the light socket will make it much easier to purchase. Only leaves deciding the best way to affix it.

Others: I'll post pics tonight so you can see exactly what I'm looking at, but here's where I'm at right now.

- Right tail light housing has an etched/stencilled (whatever you want to call it) circular spot where the socket would go.
- Left side housing has the mount molded into the plastic where the socket attaches. (right side doesn't have that)
- Right & left wiring harnesses appear the same. Only difference is the right harness doesn't have the wire coming out for the reverse light.

Top of my To Do List:
- Figure out how to disconnect wire harnesses. Seems like it should be easy, but they are attached to the housing quite well...
- Test the right side harness and see if it would power the reverse light
- Find a source to buy the overseas version of the right side housing.

 

Could you maybe get a donor L taillight and cut out the mount and use some silicone to mount it in the R tailight? Again throwing out ideas as I have no knowledge of what your looking at.

 

highvoltage1: That's a pretty good idea. I hadn't thought about it. I'm not having any luck finding the Toyota Z... (whatever it's called) tail light housing online. Looks like the car was recently released in the United Arab Emirates. While I'm sure Dubai is nice this time of year, seems a bit extreme for a reverse light...

I've attached 3 pics which should give you an idea of what I'm working with. Notice the driver's side harness has the black wire in the #2 position, where the passenger's side doesn't. I checked the female side of the harness on the passenger is missing the lead too. And if you look closely at the last pic, you can see a line for the hole.

So, I guess using the current, passenger side harness isn't an option. I'll have to splice from the driver's side.

And, please, keep the suggestions coming. Almost every day someone mentions to me that one of my reverse lights are out.

EDIT: Since the pics are from different angles, saying the wire is in a certain position doesn't really help, but you can see the black wire in one and missing in the other.

 

Have you tried a small socket wrench on that plastic piece where the pass side rev light should go?......

 

Can you get a pic of the rear of the L taillight.

 

Running the wire across the car should be the easiest part of this. You only need to run the power wire and ground it on the local harness(or body). The tricky part will be finding a socket and making the hole. Try going to a junk yard. I'm sure toyota uses the same socket on all models.

 

L side housing, as requested. Pic 3 is an attempt to show the attachment is a molded part of the housing.

 

921 bulb?

 

Not sure exactly what the number is... It's a pretty standard auto bulb. 12V, 21W, wedge base...

 

Ok. Here is what you do. Get a donor L tailight and a bulb socket. Cut out about a 1/4 to 1/2 extra around the molded part. Take your R tailight and trace out the shape of the molded part you cut out. Cut out the piece then insert the molded piece and silicone the piece in or use some firmer type of sealant. I would use some super glue in a few spots to make it hold quick then apply the silicone. Then tap the black wire from the other harness and run a pin into the R tailight harness. Then just plug the bulb socket into the wiring harness and you should be good.

 

vlad1024 & highvoltage1 are both right. I will be on temporary hold until I can find a donor housing. The socket is pretty common, so I don't even need the tC housing. Camry along with a few others use the same socket, so I should have some options. Now it's just a matter of finding the time to find the donor.

Thanks again for the help. I'll post pics and info as I make progress.