Here’s before (with the overhead led panel turned off). I tried to make the exposure match what the eye sees.

Here is what the camera auto adjusts the exposure to. It’s a little brighter than what the eye sees.

VS

After, with the led panel turned on. Lots of light!

 

Cargo area light for $136.47 w/ free shipping for orders over $75 (until 9/30/24) at:
H461SXC200 - Subaru Cargo Area Lighting - LED | Heritage Subaru, Owings Mills MD

 

I like it. Still think I'll have the dealership install it, though. I'm afraid I'd break a clip or something.

 

If you get it at the dealer and have a 23+ I'd say they should install it for free as part of your service. It is plug and play and requires no tools. Regarding the broken clips I discovered when installing the sill that they broke some of the clips for the storage area when installing my tow hitch. I was able to reuse the clips from my old sill to fix that issue...so don't assume the dealer would do a better job...or be as thorough as we would be to ensure everything is perfect

 

I installed mine this weekend as well. A little less than 45-minutes taking my time. The new lighted panel comes with new clips so the existing ones on the current panel are not re-used. That means in the off chance you were to break a clip you would already have some spares on hand. There is absolutely no reason to disassemble half of the vehicle as shown in the Subaru instructions!

 

Good to know!

 

Added it to my ‘24 Limited in 5 minutes. The power connector is already there, just plug and snap into place

 

It appears from the photos that the accessory light has a different kelvin than the rest of the interior lights. If so, that’s unfortunate. Can anyone who has the rear light kit installed confirm?

 

In my photos, yes, because I still have the OEM incandescent interior lights, which I prefer over the LED upgraded ones.

However, when I’m in the back and open the hatch, when it’s still light outside the overhead cargo light makes it seem like the sun is shining inside the cargo area, kind of like the sun roof goes all the way to the back. So the difference in kelvin color doesn’t matter.

But at night, you really have to be prepared to have your eyes assaulted because this light is BRIGHT! Although, that may have something to do with the painters drop cloth we have in ours reflecting more light up to my eyes vs the black carpet otherwise.

either way, if I were to guess, I’d say this overhead OEM cargo light panel has a 5500-6000ish kelvin color. It’s definitely not a warm color but it’s not overly blue/cool either.

 

Anyone know if subarupartsguys.com is a reputable website? They had the best price on the light, so I bit for $154.39 shipped. Hoping this doesn't bite me in the ass, leaving me wishing I'd gone with the Subaru dealer 20 minutes away with the part for $25 more. Looks like an easy enough install, so I'm ready to jump.

 

Did you check with forum vendor sponsor Bennie?

Subaru Online Parts

www.ascentforums.com

 

Surely didn't. Just bopped from one Google search result to the next looking for best price. Fingers crossed.🤞

 

maybe a dumb question, but does the new cargo light turn off when all the other interior lights turn off (say you leave your hatch open and the interior lights turn off after a few minutes)? I assume it would and you can use the on/off switch to turn it back on independently? Any insight is appreciated!

 

Absolutely, the new overhead cargo light acts just as it should. It dims and fades to off just like the interior lights do and the now redundant original tiny cargo light.

Here’s a short I took with closing the door to show the light dimming to off.

I have not tried letting the lights time out to off and then flipping the overhead cargo light switch ‘off-on’ to see if it turns back on. It might?

 

This is a very easy install if you have a '23 or later, as the power connector is already there in the upper right-hand side or the lift gate opening. No tools are required. (OK, maybe you should have some cable snips ready to cut a tie-wrap during installation.) The supplied part even comes with a black zip tie to secure the power wire once it is plugged in. Here are the steps:

• Work your fingers underneath the upper gate opening cover, from the headliner side, a few inches in from the right hand side. Gently pull down until the plastic retainer clip pops out. (Why to start from this side will become obivous later.) You will see some wires underneath and will now have more room to work your hands in.
• Working right to left, slide your hands down to the next plastic ciip (there are 4 in all) and pull down gently until the clip pops out.
• When you pop out the clip on the left hand side of the panel, it will not release completely until you gently work it down to release it from a small friction tab on the side facing you that holds it to the side panel. Take your time to remove it.
• For the next steps, it help to have two pairs of hands. Have a pair of cable snips handy. Remove the LED panel from its packaging and turn the switch to the off position While you do the installation.
• While your assistant holds the LED panel up, attach the power supply connector to the matching receptacle on the upper right side of the gate opening. The connector is keyed, so it should be impossible to attach it incorrectly. Ensure that it clicks securely into place.
• Take the tie-wrap and wrap secure the power cable around the large foam cushion to the other wires at the to of the opening. Take care not to place the rather bulky foam-covered connector where it would get in the way of one of the attachment clips. Clip off the excess with your cable snips.
• Test the light before proceeded by turning on the switch. Good? Turn it back off until you reattach the panel.
• Working left to right, match the clips to their attachment hold and press the panel up firmly until you hear a click. Check the weather seal to make sure it isn't caught underneath the newly installed panel. If it is, genltly pull it back out into position, or remove the panel and reattach properly. When you get to the rightmost clip, you may have to apply a little right to left pressure on the panel to get it to mate up nicely. Push up the last clip to attach and check your weather stripping.
• Turn the switch back to the on position, and check that things light up. Voila! Let there be light! Close the hatch and the LED panel will dim and then extinguish after about 10 seconds or so.

Total installation time: about 5 minutes. I spent most of my time fiddling with how to carefully get the panel off without breaking anything. Once you see how it is put together, it is easy to figure out how to reattach. There is some tape up there that is securing wires to the metal frame that had fallen off. I reattached it to the frame, but suspect that it was probably put there for ease of assembly and not for permanently securing wires.

Here is the finished product. So much better!

 

Thanks so much for your well written guide! Now to find some slight yellow tint to match the rest of the interior lights..

 

Thanks so much for your well written guide! Now to find some slight yellow tint to match the rest of the interior lights..

Look up Lamin-X if you're looking for adhesive gel film.
It's what I used to turn my blue-light exterior LED lights on my trailer to an amber.

 

Just did my cargo light on my '23 Ascent. Didn't even take 5 minutes. Pull, rip it out, line the new one up, pound it in & then make sure all the weather stripping is clear. So easy. So much better now! Now I'm gonna want to change the original trunk light to the new color temperature to match. Anyone have a line on the proper bulb? I'm sure it's in the forums here...just being a lil lazy before I get to searching. Thanks for the threads showing us how easy it is. It's even easier than I thought. Not sure why I bought pry tools for this project. They weren't necessary. And I also didn't need to tie any wires or cut anything. I just stuffed the wiring in the free space and popped it closed.

 

Hi guys! I bought my unit from SecurePartsForYou.com. With shipping and handling it was $161.79 delivered to the front door. Taking the old trim off was super-fast. Connecting the power to confirm the unit works was seconds. However, as I tried to put the new one in, something was wrong. I tried and tried which made me upset because in my long life I had taken apart and put together a large number of auto panels. Then I looked down at the old unit and saw that one of the clips was missing. Sure enough, it was still in the hole preventing anything from lining up correctly. Once I used a V-slot trim tool to remove it; everything popped right in. By the way, the most useful use of the other end of the trim tool in this effort was to run it under the weather stripping from one end to the other to make sure that it is not folded under the new panel. I can't wait for dusk to see the difference.

 

Yes, it was a very very easy install on my '23 Touring.

Not sure why the installation instructions mention removal of the third row seats. Perhaps it is needed on the older models?

The process took maybe 3 minutes with the help of a pry tool. Putting it back and checking if weather strip outside is sealed took maybe 2 extra minutes.

 

Yes, it was a very very easy install on my '23 Touring.

Not sure why the installation instructions mention removal of the third row seats. Perhaps it is needed on the older models?

The process took maybe 3 minutes with the help of a pry tool. Putting it back and checking if weather strip outside is sealed took maybe 2 extra minutes.

So lucky! Yeah, the 22' and older have to install the wiring, so it needs a bit more work.

 

Easy as pie! Ordered the part on Friday with a code from Benny(Thank you) delivered 10 minutes ago and installed in less than 5. Start on right side and pull from front to back and it pops out.

anyone interested in the old piece? Clips are still good.

 

Has anyone figured out an easy way to change the color temp to match the warm white everywhere else?

 

I just got around to it. A little janky at the moment, but I used these Orange Color Correction Gel Filter Sheet 1/2 CTO (It said it converts 5500k daylight to 3800k) along with some double sided tape.
I'm not sure how long it will last, but I'm pretty darn happy about the result.

Steps:
1. Remove trim and disconnect wire.
2. You can pop out the led bar by removing the screws on the 2 plates.
3. Cut the gel filter sheet to size.
4. Lay an entire rope of double sided tape, BUT do it along with the sheet to press out air bubbles.
5. Pop led bar in and reinstall plates.
6. Reinstall trim.

 

I just installed the kit on my 2019 Premium. In my case I did buy the extra wiring harness, and I'm glad I did. It has a Y on the one end that allows you to just snap the connector from that pathetic light on the driver's side panel into the hardness, and the other end of the Y goes into the power wire connector.

It's literally two screws to loosen the driver's side panel (the one below the seat belt panel). You don't even have to pull the panel off. Just get underneath the weather stripping and tug the panel so it comes away from the body of the vehicle. Then thread the harness down there with a fish tape. Super easy.

The other end of the harness goes into the connector of the light bar. Remove the old trim piece and replace it with the light bar. Snap it into place. Confirm operation. Snap the rest of the trim pieces back into place and replace the screws. DONE.

 

Wonder if this light will standard on the 2025 or an option?

 

Unlikely. The stock light is similar to most others in the class.

 

Agreed, unlikely. It gives an opportunity for additional revenue to sell it as an accessory and doesn't add to the MSRP of the car trim. Additionally, accessories are installed at the port, not when the car is assembled. Maybe a new body style may have a better light by design, but my guess is for the current model the core design is for the original lighting.

 

Thanks for this! Just got my 21' Ascent in July and didn't even know about this. Definitely checking into it!

 

The original instructions say to disconnect the battery before I install the harness. Do I still need to do this?

 

I didn't bother. Just ensure the power switch is turned off before connecting the power cable.

 

Thanks!

 

I installed it today but, I broke one of the top/side clips. I took one from the old trim and it's back to normal. There is a full youtube video of someone installing it but, he took a bit further than you did. It simple with your instructions. Thanks again.

 

I meant to thank the OP on this, but don't think I ever did. I ordered the part shortly after seeing this post last year. Easy install on our '24, as others have said: it took minutes. The accessory is a little pricey, but what a HUGE improvement!

 

I am late to the game on this one. Seemed way too expensive, so I ignored it. Twice in the last few weeks, my wife has mentioned that the lighting back there is less than adequate. I installed it yesterday on our 2020. I did remove the 10 mm bolt on the left rear cargo ring and the one screw on the left upper rear quarter panel. That allowed me to pop that off and have PLENTY of room without removing the whole panel. This verified the whole process of removing the rear seat is unnecessary. WOW!! what a difference! Highly recommended. I didn’t tell my wife yet. I’m going to let her find it and then swear it’s been there the whole time, she just didn’t know about the on/off switch. LOL
Thank you for the posts on this!

 

A less costly alternative if you are a bit handy is to install the Oznium "bolt" lights as described in Fergie's excellent post, "Added Cargo Area Lighting - my way" (see thread below).

They are small and discrete but put out plenty of light and wont give you flash-burns when you open the hatch on a dark night. I did the extra step of wiring them through the OEM switch so they can be turned off with the open hatch, if so desired.