Interior/Exterior Interior and exterior modifications for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.

Interior/Exterior Light that boot! (LED trunk light MOD)

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  #126  
Old 12-11-2006, 05:56 AM
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Hmmm.... Velcro.... Hmmm.... Stick to bottom of shelf OR back of seats and move out of the way as needed.... Hmmmm.... use the small size black plastic flexy wire conduit from Radio Shack to protect the wires and make it look good... Hmmm... Would need to mount the oznium strips to some flat rigid plastic strip to make this work well... Hmmm...

(Not what I did or will do - in the cabrio the shelf is ALWAYS in - but this might be a good approach for tintop owners...
 
  #127  
Old 12-11-2006, 05:59 AM
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Originally Posted by BlimeyCabrio
This might be a good approach for tintop owners...
You callin' me a TINTOP! I don't think so!
 
  #128  
Old 12-11-2006, 06:22 AM
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It didn't take me long to figure out, but if you use the headphone extension cord method it will unplug itself if you forget to unplug it before removing the boot. Not a bad feature I guess. Here's the install...







Sorry about the last pic I was too lazy to run in and get the tripod. I ended up making a cord with 1/4" spade connectors on one end and the female end of the headphone cord on the other. In the middle is the 1k resistor. I simply unplugged the stock light and plugged in my new cord. The female end of the headphone cord exits from under the rubber boot that surrounds where the seat latches. Don't really see any issues there. It doesn't effect the seat latching and tucks away niceley if needed. 100% removable no drilling or cutting. That said I'm thinking about adding a switch to be able to turn on the factory light if I've got the cover out.
 
  #129  
Old 12-11-2006, 06:24 AM
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Originally Posted by whovous
I think I need to go outside, pop the boot, and just stare at my car for a while. Neighbors love when I do things like that!
I did this yesterday
 
  #130  
Old 12-11-2006, 06:27 AM
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Originally Posted by Turcicus
I did this yesterday
That makes 2 of us!

I also did the puddle light / footwell light / door pocket mod too.

They crack up at me when they see me taking my Mini apart! Last night I was running back and forth inside the house with the door panels.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...62#post1263962
 
  #131  
Old 12-11-2006, 02:06 PM
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Originally Posted by TWISTER
You callin' me a TINTOP! I don't think so!
(In my best 8 year old girl's voice...)

"Twister is a Tinnn-Top, Twister is a Tinnn-Top, Twister is a Tinnn-Top..."
 
  #132  
Old 12-11-2006, 05:12 PM
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I just replaced my blue strip with two white ones. I liked the blue but the wife didn't.

I have three blue strips plus a resistor on the Marketplace at a good price if anyone is interested.
 
  #133  
Old 12-12-2006, 09:15 AM
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Thanks to Blimey, I'll be putting my lights in sooner rather than later!
 
  #134  
Old 12-12-2006, 08:37 PM
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Like this mod - does anyone have pictures with these lights in a non-convertible?
Thanks
 
  #135  
Old 12-12-2006, 09:06 PM
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See the pictures from Yo'sDad and PredMini. They both have non-convertibles.
 
  #136  
Old 12-13-2006, 03:26 AM
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  #137  
Old 12-14-2006, 12:11 AM
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I got my wires and plugs from Shield Elec. yesterday now im just waiting for the LEDs
 
  #138  
Old 12-16-2006, 05:49 PM
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Here are my strips installed!





As you can see, I only used one strip in the boot, and it's on the floor (I think I will end up adding a second strip - and the cool thing about it being on the floor is that the blue glow comes up through the vent in the top of the shelf). Honestly, I didn't want to take the time to make a quick connect cord, I just wanted to put the lights in. So I got some adhesive backed velcro and used that to attach it. I also used the velcro on the passenger side footwell light, but zip ties on the driver's side (there were no good spots for the ties on the passenger side). I love it!! The blue of the lights perfectly matches Hyper Blue. I like to go outside and just hit the unlock button on the keyfob to see the glow . And I plan on putting a blue LED in the overhead light and one in each puddle light to completely "blue out" the interior (except for the gauges, of course).

A big thanks to ImagoX for coming up with this mod, to Yo'sDad for guiding me through how he did some of the stuff, and to BlimeyCabrio for giving me a good deal on his LEDs.
 
  #139  
Old 12-16-2006, 06:26 PM
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  #140  
Old 12-17-2006, 05:13 AM
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Turcicus - looks great! Glad the LEDs worked for you!
 
  #141  
Old 12-18-2006, 06:41 PM
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so i just opened the little access panel on the passenger side of the boot where the factory light is and noticed what looks like the AMP for my H/K stereo in there with no room to see the position of the light or access to the wires. So do i need to remove the whole side panel or at least loosen it and move it to get access to this area or is there another way? Im still waiting on the LEDs but i thought i would go ahead and test fit the recepticle and check the wiring.
 
  #142  
Old 12-18-2006, 06:56 PM
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Use a small dull screwdriver and pry the light out from the boot side... the wires are long enough to make your connections right there. If you want to install a jack and plug, then you 'll need to have enough room to get your paw up in there a little bit. Be sure to double check where you drill the hole, most of that area is a double panel and the secondary layer is metal. The underneath ledge right under the stock light is a nice single layer of plastic.

YD
 
  #143  
Old 12-18-2006, 07:18 PM
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Ok got me worried there for a moment, ill try that.
 
  #144  
Old 12-18-2006, 07:56 PM
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Yo is right, the light can easily be pried free. I was able to just use my fingers.
 
  #145  
Old 12-21-2006, 06:31 PM
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I got my strips today and im off till after Xmas so i guess i have alittle project this weekend.
 
  #146  
Old 12-22-2006, 08:24 AM
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Originally Posted by ImagoX

ImagX: I'd love to see a pic of your car w/ the bonnet closed and the lights on! Very nice idea!
 
  #147  
Old 12-22-2006, 08:32 AM
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Ditto on the closed hood pics!

ImagoX - Is that 1 or 2 strips under the hood?
 
  #148  
Old 12-22-2006, 09:43 AM
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Originally Posted by agranger
ImagX: I'd love to see a pic of your car w/ the bonnet closed and the lights on! Very nice idea!
Who loves ya, baby? I need a better photo (the ambient light didn't work like I wanted it to), but it gives you an idea...



This is pre-hood scoop light install:

 
  #149  
Old 12-22-2006, 03:49 PM
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THATS AWESOME IMAGOX! Man if I wasn't planning on maybe selling my MINI. I'll have to wait!
 
  #150  
Old 12-24-2006, 12:01 AM
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I did mine tonight i left in the factory light for now but will probably be taking it out pretty soon. So far i love it, and now im going to start replacing other lights with white LEDs. I did notice one thing though, the LEDs dont dim like the standard incadescent light do.


 


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