Prius Prime Plus - Trunk additional LED lighting

The factory trunk light is too dark and not functional at all. It is a 12V 5W bulb. So I spent an hour to add a LED light on each side. It's both functional and beautiful



Pictures: (will be uploaded later)

1. Remove the trunk mat
2. Remove the 4 pins from at the edge of the trunk cover (which will then expose the battery pack by usng a flat screw driver.
3. Remove the 2 hocks on each side of the trunk (which use for holding the trunk privacy cover) by using a flat screw driver. It will then expose the screw underneath
4. Remvoe the 2 screws using phillips screw driver on each side of the trunk.
5. Remove the large flat cap plastic pin at the bottom of the each side wall near the rear seat. I use a piler to tuck underneath the cap and pivot / pull it out.
6. Pull out the trunk light by using a flat screw driver.
7. Pull out the side cover, it allows to run the wire from the trunk light to the bottom back of the rear seats.
8. Open the tinny plastic black hidden panel door on each side of the trunk wall.
9. Run the wire behind the side wall, then the edge of the battery pack, then to the other end, then throught the left side wall, then run the wire out to the left side panel square opening.
10. Drill a hole and install the LED housing & light on each side.
11. Connect the wires to the LED light and tab them to the factory trunk light wires.
12. Test it by closing and opening the trunk door.
13. Put everything back and done.

 

Detail instructions and pictures:

Prius Prime Trunk LED lighting DIY - Google Docs

 

Just posted a link. enjoy

 

Just realized the Japan toyota website sell this:

トヨタ プリウスPHV | アクセサリー・カスタマイズカー | 室内・インテリア | トヨタ自動車WEBサイト

 

Thanks for your questions Insighter,

1. My son took my car, but I'll take some more pictures and update the pictures later tonight.
2. I tab into the OEM trunk light wire, so when the trunk is open, it turns on, when it close, it turns off. But it CANNOT be controlled by the switch of the trunk light as that switch is part of the assembly. Unless I solder my wires to the assembly, then the same switch can control all 3 lights.
3. I might try different color LED light. Initially, I was looking for some tiny LED light which looks like a mini version of the deck/patio lighting and has a semi-sphere / round housing that projects the light to the floor, so that I can mount it on the side wall rather than on the ceiling of the 2 "caves". But I search for a long time and couldn't find one. End up I mount it at the current location but it looks great.

 

I've updated the doc with more pictures, please check it out.

location of the trunk LED - passenger side by citiprius posted Mar 8, 2018 at 5:08 PM

Location of trunk LED - driver side by citiprius posted Mar 8, 2018 at 5:09 PM

Trunk additional LED lighting by citiprius posted Feb 25, 2018 at 1:36 AM

 

I've recently purchased a 2nd Prime and install the trunk LED Light the 2nd time. But this time is a lot easier because I figured I can fish a wire directly from the rear sear. So no need to remove any panels:

20180505_222121 by citiprius posted May 9, 2018 at 12:42 AM

20180505_223553 by citiprius posted May 9, 2018 at 12:42 AM

 

That looks easy and bright. But it might be blocked and to avoid that, you will need to stuff the left side of the trunk first.