I'm looking for suggestions to add some lighting to the cargo area; that will also light up the area behind the car.

I can figure out the wiring/switching etc... I just don't have the knowledge of the types of lights available that will accomplish what I want.

My reason ( which may help with the answers ) is I scuba dive. So if I do a night dive, I'd like to be able to open my trunk pull my gear out and get geared up there and have the lights from inside the car to be bright enough to get dressed. From the pics it doesn't look like the Cathodes are bright enough, but I don't know.

 

I bought white cold cathodes from oznium.com and installed one in the front and back. They light up everything and are very easy to intall. I can get you come pics later, if you would like?

 

So if I did 2 - 12" in the cargo area, is it going to light up an area outside the car too? Maybe 5 feet or so? Pics would be cool. Mounting locations etc..

 

You could try installing two 12" white cold cathodes into the back panel on the rear gate itself. This way, when the gate is up, the cathodes would light up everything beneath them, including the cargo area, your scuba gear, the ground, you, etc.. The panel on the gate comes off very easily and there is sufficient room in the rubber grommet to run wires back toward the cab of the car.

 

that is exactly what I would suggest. two white cathodes would do a very good job lighting.

you could tap into the two wires running into the dome light switch, I believe the blue is the positive, and the red with the yellow stripe is the variable ground. or is it the other way around?

j/k red/yel is neg.

 

Will the cathodes hold up against opening and closing the rear gate? or are they too fragile?

 

pretty tough beasties.

depends how you mount them - I'd say prolly take off the hatch panel, and zip-tie the cathodes on... you'd probably also be able to find some sort of cover at a hardware store, if you're concerned about the appearance.

 

ok,...here's a suggestion.........

 

not that those lights would project on the ground, as he was asking, but would you mind explaining a little bit about what you did there, kapitanE? looks interesting...

 

You can also get a few of the OEM dome light assemblies and mount them to the tail gate and wire them into the existing dame light. this will be easy, work with the hatch pin and provide pretty good lighting.

 

that would look cleaner, but might be less functional than the cathodes - the OEM domes (bulbs, I'm sure) seem so dim to me!

but, yeah, it's a great idea, and much more my style.

 

OK, i got it, get some GM OEM Dome Lights w/MAP lights in them. they come in grey and have adjustable angles. My Suburban has these and they are pretty damn bright!

 

^^ dope.

 

That would be a nice addition... mounting them on the tailgate so they shine down when it opens and inside the cargo area when any other door is open and gate is shut.

damn, this looks like it'd be perfect for it... I almost don't want to post it ;):
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Linco...QQcmdZViewItem

 

OR THIS


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-C...QQcmdZViewItem

 

That would certainly do the trick and would be very simple to install. I even think those map lights would cast more light than the cathodes, not to mention they could be swiveled to point wherever you need. Nice find!

 

Depends on how much light you really want. If that's more than the usual dim glow of a dome light, consider using RV hardware, maybe like this-

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...ts/55-8276.htm

Yeh, they're big, but they put out a lot of light. High-dollar led units are also available, and the backup lights can be exploited to provide exterior light, if you want, by moving the supply to a battery rather than switched source- they'll come on any time the vehicle is in reverse...

Yeh, you could kill the battery- just remember not to leave it in reverse except when you want light...

 

Just got these put in this weekend

Thinking about putting them on each doors an entry light.
What ya think should be good eh?

 

Yes, but what are they?

Tom

 

These are the little guys.
http://images.cardomain.net/products/var/VARML2WH.jpg
and that's the site, I got mine localy as a kit. I like them.