Car Trim Home Interior LED Lights for the 4Runner – Hatch, Dome, and Map Lights

Car Trim Home Extremely Bright Interior LED Lights – Hatch, Dome, and Map Lights

First of all, I put a poll on Instagram asking if we should do this review/overview and 70% of you said yes. I asked the community out of respect for the American made version, the ArcLight LED Icarus eXtreme lights.

If you are looking for those lights, you can check out Eric’s write up on the Icarus eXtreme Hatch, Map, and Dome lights. The Icarus eXtreme lights were the first of this kind and have been circling around the gram’ for some time now.

They have had an incredibly well-praised response from the community. Which is probably why Car Trim Home decided to make their own version

Find it online: 

• The lights: Discontinued
• Cali Raised Interior LED Light Swap Kit: Check Price

Icarus eXtreme lights or Car Trim Home? 

Whichever ones you choose is entirely up to you. I just wanted to be upfront in saying there is another option out there (the original option). They are also made in the USA and more than likely higher quality, although I have not seen them in person. The Icarus eXtreme lights are also going to be quite a bit more expensive at almost $100/per light.

The Car Trim Home 4Runner Interior LED Lights are very similar to the Icarus eXtreme lights. There is a lightweight circuit board full of LED chips that toggle between white and red color. These LED chip covered lights offer extreme light output inside the cabin. I mean INCREDIBLE. All for a low price sitting at almost $20/per light.

Interior Lighting Options

Traditionally, you have your basic upgrades such as the Sylvania Super Bright LEDs, however, these lights are far from “super bright” but are far better than factory if not for a color change alone.

If you want to jump up to something more powerful, look at the 4Runner’s interior light kit from VLEDs. This is a great option and at this level, you will actually see an increase in light output over something like the Sylvania bulbs.

BUT, if you want to go for the brightest light option possible for the 4Runner’s interior all while being incredibly affordable, you should take a look a look at these Car Trim Home Interior LED lighting options.

Or, if the budget permits, check out the 5th Gen Icarus eXtreme lights.

Car Trim Home Interior LED lighting options

Car Trim Home makes three LED lights. The Map, Hatch and Dome light. They are all so bright that it’s almost over-kill and after a few weeks of using them, I still squint when the lights come on. No joke, these LEDs are the brightest interior lights I have seen in the 4Runner so far.

They offer all three options with the white and red diodes. You can toggle between red and white at any given time. The white giving super bright light while stationary and red to reduce the light intensity while you are driving. All lights require drilling through the factory covers if you want to use the Red/White toggle switches.

Map Lights

The map lights might be the most challenging of them all but take that lightly, this not a hard install. The most frustrating part of the install is the small finicky 26awg wires that are provided.

Be very careful when handling these lights as you may break a wire off the board. I know this because I did, but Car Trim Home was cool enough to send one back out, even though it was our fault.

Step 1: Remove Overhead Console

Step 2: Remove Crawl Control Unit and Bolts to Overhead Console

Step 3: Remove Entire Overhead Console Unit

Step 4: Remove Map Light Covers with PRY Tools

Step 5: Position Map Lights Into Place

You can leave the reflective aluminum housing in or remove it. If you leave it in, you want to slightly push the drivers (black squares) outside so they fit in the lower part of the aluminum backing. If you remove the reflective backing, you will damage it and possibly the tabs that secure it in place. Take your time with either option. I tried both and would go with removing the aluminum backing so you don’t damage the drivers or risk breaking off one of the thin 26awg wires while forcing it into place.

Step 6: Mark Holes, Then Drill for Toggle Switch

After you drill the holes, you can file and bore out the holes with a circular file to open the holes up even more. Once you have the hatch light cover holes all set and locked into place, re-install your overhead console and enjoy the brightest interior LED lights you’ve ever seen.

Hatch Lights

The rear hatch lights are simple to install. The only thing to watch for here is making sure the driver does not contact the screw as the light slides back and forth. This LED was the easiest to install.

Step 1: Marking the Hatch Light Covers

If you need a bit more guidance on this one, you can check out the previous post that Eric wrote on the Icarus eXtreme lights hatch lights.

Step 2: Drilling the Hatch Light Covers

Step 3: Place 3m VHB Tape on Driver

Step 4: Stick Driver to Hatch Light Housing

Dome lights

The dome light is an over-sized board with an over-sized driver that you need to fit into a shallow housing. Patience should be on your side with this one.

Step 1: Remove Cover, Mark, Drill and File Hole

Step 2: Fit Driver and plate into place

Step 3: Press plate into place and put the cover on

You really need to press this one into place within the same motion of clicking the cover plate into place. As you press the LED board up into place, you want to cover the housing with the light cover (not shown) at the same time. As gentle as possible, shove the LED driver, board and housing cover all into place at the same time.

Final thoughts?

They are extremely bright, and more affordable than a set of VLEDs, for example. The only thing that you should be cautious about is the actual wires. They are so small, they are just a bit fragile. The other main factor you need to consider is drilling through your light covers. Even if you can order a replacement set from the parts department, it’s something to think about.

Regardless of what you decide, these interior LEDs are the brightest you will find for the 4Runner. If you want the brightest lights out there, these are them.