Hi all, After buying my 2016 Prius C, I quickly replaced my 2 front dome light bulbs with super bright LED replacements, since the factory bulbs are terribly dim. And I've been super happy with it. However I'm still disappointed that the light does not cast into the rear seats. The light seems pretty effectively blocked by the front seats, leaving the rear area still very dark. I'm curious if anyone has added a 2nd dome light into the middle of the cabin ceiling, just like how a larger car (sedan, minivan, etc...) would always have that middle light, but for some reason they didn't put one in the Prius C.... Between power options (battery-powered, or a 12V plug-in), as well as how to actually mount onto the cabin ceiling, I'd love to learn from someone's past experience if you've done this already.
Bump if anyone has other suggestions of adding lights in the back? I've thought about running a USB LED Strip to the back but I wouldn't know how to make the LEDs light up when the door is opened/closed.
There are two kits available from Toyota Japan but I'm not sure if they are compatible with our wiring. You could probably make it work with the hardware it's just priced pretty high for me to even consider it. Another cheaper DIY option would be to tap into the dome lighting wiring and run a small LED to the rear footwell or rear ceiling (more difficult).
Why use a USB LED strip, which uses 5V? How about using a 12V LED strip instead, and tap directly in to the dome light.
A few people have solved this problem already, there are some threads buried in this board somewhere with details. Keep digging.
I'll be rewrapping my headliner to black and at the same time fixed my microphone which has fallen off. Good idea to add cabin light to the rear. My idea would be to share the same wiring from the front cabin light so they on and off together. Or the easy way it to get a battery powered one with magnetic mount and retro fit it much less work with the possibility to on/off at command for the rear.
I installed a few prewired 12v bolt LEDs in my wife's C when we first got it. Tapped power off of the dome light circuit and mounted one light above each side in the back. The bolt was about 1" long, so I trimmed one down to make it shorter. That was a huge PITA, so I left the other alone and it actually cleared moonroof fully open. The one I trimmed down went out about two years later.... I haven't gotten around to dropping the head liner and replacing that lamp yet.
