Red Footwell lights

[rmgill]

When I added my rear facing work light for backing up and hooking up, and my front facing driving lights under the bumper, I rigged up a 3 position switch cluster under the dash to the left of the driver's knee. I knew I'd be adding something else so I left a spot for one additional switch.

The next thing I'm looking at adding is a set of foot well lights under the dash. I've already fabbed the brackets (just some doglegs of sheet metal for some dash illuminators. But positioned so they shine red light in the foot wells of the truck. As you know, these trucks are dark inside in the dark and when you drop something, like a tool, it can be a pain. So, to add some gentle mood lighting, I've come up with this.

I've also found that a bit of very faint light in one's peripheral vision can help with one's night time eye fatigue. Long drives to PA from Atlanta in my car have shown me this.

Before I photograph and show this off (I haven't taken photos yet...hang on!), has anyone else done this?

 

[Neophyte]

I'm adding two of these under dash on a piece of construction equipment I've been refurbishing:

http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/40151

They work very well, but not so bright to cause a reflective issue. I scoured the market for alternatives, but most of what I found was cheap plastic Chinese LED's.

 

[topo]

These lights are from the dash of one of my M211 parts trucks .

 

[wreckerman893]

Truck drivers call these "Booger Lights".......they keep the Wangdoodles from running out from under the seats and biting your toes.

 

[steelandcanvas]

The thought of adding the footwell lights has crossed my mind a few times. I pondered the idea of having a door switch to turn them on upon opening either door, and an override switch so you could have them on with the doors closed...much like the courtesy lights in a civilian vehicle. I'll stay tuned to this thread hoping to get some ideas on an acceptable lighting unit, the LEDs in post #2 are pretty spendy.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I'm adding two of these under dash on a piece of construction equipment I've been refurbishing:

http://www.rigidindustries.com/led-lighting/40151

They work very well, but not so bright to cause a reflective issue. I scoured the market for alternatives, but most of what I found was cheap plastic Chinese LED's.

Wow, thats expensive! I have some 24v Cat lights cheap. PM if interested.

 

[59apache]

looks pretty similar to those snap in license plate lights...

https://www.google.de/search?q=plat...ed=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#tbm=isch&q=plate+light+snap+in

replace with a 24V bulb, dip it in red glass paint .., paint the housing in OD, thats it.

 

[59apache]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=TRUCK-LITE+#+26330+Model26

 

[rmgill]

While I wait for night to fall so I can get proper images, I'll explain my line of thinking.

My daily driver, a Honda Insight (2010) has a set of foot well lights in a very faint blue that work well. I added those from the Honda US catalog of Fit and Crosstour accessories. Apparently offered in Japan but not the US. I like these. They're not auto-on, rather the driver has a switch.

Here they are on a Crosstour.



The Humber Aroured car that I co-own, has essentially the same thing but in the driver's area, there's not only instrument lighting but also what the Brits call a "festoon" lamp.



The festoon lamp is off to the right out of frame.
But you get a nice decent amount of light for doing tasks in that area, mostly seeing what you're doing if you need to work on something or check things.



I suppose a really nifty way to do this would be a 3 position switch with one position for red lights and another for white light, especially ones shining on your brake fluid access area.

 

[Alexsha]

Ford has had the option of footwell lighting since before 2008. I really liked their take on it. My old 2009 F-150 had LED tubes and you could change the color and brightness. Very nice effect.

 

[Plugugly]

I have the white version of these for license plate lights, they seem to work well. http://www.amazon.com/LED-Convenien...7?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1421452778&sr=1-47

The company offers blue, and other styles too. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_a...ld-brandtextbin=Pilotlights.net&node=15684181

 

[Artisan]

While you guys are looking at lights, if you run into any RED and/or WHITE, LED, 24V,
Exterior, maybe 3" x 5" or so, Surface Mount, it will probably be 3 wires so It can
glow RED or WHITE, .............I would appreciate a heads up .

I think there is one out there that is like $132.00 EA, too much for me, I need 2.

 

[rmgill]

Photos are up...and resized...

Footwell lamps.



Up close:



And the armored vehicle dome light in red mode:

 

[Plugugly]

 

[rmgill]

It's been a while since I posted images here. The methodologies keep changing and aren't always obvious. Plus the image size limit is annoying as heck.

If I could include the image to the flicker account and just have it link there using usual BB-Code that'd be easier.....

 

[Plugugly]

Agreed, the image rules here are...unique. I've certainly not posted images just because it's such a pita. It's a shame.

 

[frank8003]

Before I photograph and show this off (I haven't taken photos yet...hang on!), has anyone else done this?

WOW, last time I did that was inside my 1965 MGB and before that the 1950 DeSoto, used trailer lights, worked nice. Nope, I have no pictures.
Have at it.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Agreed, the image rules here are...unique. I've certainly not posted images just because it's such a pita. It's a shame.

I don't know what sites you use, but many do not allow off site hosting any more. It keeps pics available for the members and is much better for the group as a whole. No missing pics and when a newb comes here for info, it will be here. No "dead ends" so to speak.

 

[Lieutenant Dan]

I didn't do foot well lights yet but I did a cab interior light. Used a 12v led brake light so I have high and low. They are on just a switch for now. I will be adding door jamb switches eventually.

 

[Carlo]

When I added my rear facing work light for backing up and hooking up, and my front facing driving lights under the bumper, I rigged up a 3 position switch cluster under the dash to the left of the driver's knee. I knew I'd be adding something else so I left a spot for one additional switch.

The next thing I'm looking at adding is a set of foot well lights under the dash. I've already fabbed the brackets (just some doglegs of sheet metal for some dash illuminators. But positioned so they shine red light in the foot wells of the truck. As you know, these trucks are dark inside in the dark and when you drop something, like a tool, it can be a pain. So, to add some gentle mood lighting, I've come up with this.

I've also found that a bit of very faint light in one's peripheral vision can help with one's night time eye fatigue. Long drives to PA from Atlanta in my car have shown me this.

Before I photograph and show this off (I haven't taken photos yet...hang on!), has anyone else done this?

Did you use LED or normal?