Jump to content
LegacyGT.com

My Interior Illumination mod - Lighted Cup Holders


Recommended Posts

Too cold for me to tear into the center console (don't want to break anything) right now.

 

Combine work with a cold and sinus infection and I just haven't had the energy to take pics of the LED marker lights I have mounted under the dash on each side.

 

I'll see if I can get out in the garage tomorrow morning...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 232
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted Images

heres some night time pics

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m462/rakapur/Subaru%20Legacy/P1000387.jpg

 

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m462/rakapur/Subaru%20Legacy/P1000386.jpg

 

http://i335.photobucket.com/albums/m462/rakapur/Subaru%20Legacy/P1000389.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK took some pics of the simple marker lights I used (Walmart about $3 a piece).

I took the under-dash panels out and mounted the lights there and then ran the wires on top of the panels (out of site) into the center console.

 

Pics left to right:

Driver's Side

Passenger Side

Passenger Side Lit Up-Close

Passenger Side Lit Wide-Angle

 

The red light is bright, but since it is directed downwards, it doesn't interfere with your vision while driving at night.

drivers-side.thumb.jpg.f30227ed12264c0fd079865102f73c35.jpg

passenger-side.thumb.jpg.cd900079ada97c98297c2d2329da4930.jpg

passenger-lit-up-close.thumb.jpg.86379f1426e7c1d4a5156dabaf2aa28b.jpg

passenger-lit-wide.thumb.jpg.63ab623999b3589bdb5f74ef84fa6202.jpg

Edited by todd3.6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Damn Todd, those do look bright! If you don't think they bother you while driving, then so be it. If I put lights down there I'll stick with a single LED in the foot wells.

 

The human eye is strange when it comes to red light. Looking right at a red light source seems bright, but the light really doesn't carry very far for the human eye. Try putting a red filter over a very bright flashlight and you won't be able to see very far with it. The light seems bright in the pics, but at night it really only lights up the footwell and that's about it. It doesn't even carry above the lower seat cushion.

 

I liked using the marker lights because they are sealed and fairly low profile so nothing can snag them. The ones I bought have 3 LEDs in them. You could probably find some with only 2 LEDs and they would not be as bright. I actually don't have them permanently wired in yet, I plan to have them on a switch so I can turn them on when needed.

 

The LEDs I have for the cup holder area are from Radio Shack. They are just bare LEDs and I have some resistors to bring the voltage down so they are not over powered. Since the cup holder area is under the console, I'll just use some hot melt glue to hold them in place. I'll splice into the transmission indicator lights to power the cup holders.

Edited by todd3.6
Link to comment
Share on other sites

JDM have a folding lid over the cup holders that can nicely conceal them when not in use. (see centre pic). Not sure why US doesn't - are they worried about lawsuits if people try to put hot coffee in there and the lid is closed?

 

http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Subaru_Liberty_GT_108-625x304.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Has anyone checked the wiring diagram yet? Factory options like the lighting normally already have a plug somewhere on the main harness for it.

 

I wouldn't think it would be to hard to find, that way it would work just like stock.

The factory connector is up in the passenger A pillar (design fail for Subaru). The factory lighting harness is needlessly long and the routing is overly complex as a result. IMO, you'll be much happier tapping into a convenient power source somewhere in/near the center console.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kenpachi is correct, when I saw that wiring diagram for the factory set up, I knew I wasn't going to be doing that silly $175 kit. No wonder it costs that much for several LEDs, that freaking wiring harness is just crazy!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

JDM have a folding lid over the cup holders that can nicely conceal them when not in use. (see centre pic). Not sure why US doesn't - are they worried about lawsuits if people try to put hot coffee in there and the lid is closed?

 

http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Subaru_Liberty_GT_108-625x304.jpg

:mad: get outta here! we don't like u kinds posting things we cant have! :p

Link to comment
Share on other sites

alright i dont know if this crossed anybodies minds.... just gonna throw it out there rope lights/neon rope, i think that would really look good since the 11' models dont have that right thing the rope can go all around the cup holder.

here are some i found on ebay http://motors.shop.ebay.com/eBay-Motors-/6000/i.html?_nkw=rope+light&_catref=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&_rdc=1

 

i think i will try it but i will look for it not shipped from hong kong

Link to comment
Share on other sites

alright i dont know if this crossed anybodies minds.... just gonna throw it out there rope lights/neon rope, i think that would really look good since the 11' models dont have that right thing the rope can go all around the cup holder.

here are some i found on ebay http://motors.shop.ebay.com/eBay-Motors-/6000/i.html?_nkw=rope+light&_catref=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m282&_rdc=1

 

i think i will try it but i will look for it not shipped from hong kong

Eh....that may be too bright for the cupholder.

2011 Volvo S60T6 & 2013 Volvo XC60T6 Polestar

Link to comment
Share on other sites

HA! That's funny! I love the first listing in that link, "cheap led strips yellow flexible led rope lights 12v." This has to be someone from Asia that speaks some English. The word Cheap has so many different ways it can be used. Maybe not the best translation. I also like the ones they list as G Strings! ;)

 

Interesting idea, maybe we could put them under those big rocker panels between the front and rear tires huh?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

JDM have a folding lid over the cup holders that can nicely conceal them when not in use. (see centre pic). Not sure why US doesn't - are they worried about lawsuits if people try to put hot coffee in there and the lid is closed?

 

http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Subaru_Liberty_GT_108-625x304.jpg

 

I think the cup holders are smaller than the US one that's why it is different in the US. That's generally what it's like for JDM vs N/A

Link to comment
Share on other sites

But the cup holders hold smaller cups. Comparatively in starbucks terms, there are no venti cups in japan. Grande is the largest they got :eek:

sorry, just had to post this

Danny: Can I get a large black coffee?

Barista: A what?

Danny: Large black coffee.

Barista: Do you mean a venti?

Danny: No, I mean a large.

Barista: Venti is large.

Danny: No, venti is twenty. Large is large. In fact, tall is large and grande is Spanish for large. Venti is the only one that doesn't mean large. It's also the only one that's Italian. Congratulations, you're stupid in three languages.

Barista: A venti is a large coffee.

Danny: Really? Says who? Fellini? Do you accept lira or is it all euros now?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use