Hooking up aftermarket lights to work with existing fog wiring

I have an 08 that had stock fogs. I replaced my bumper with an aftermarket tube bumper. The bumper has mounts for lights and I am hoping that I will be able to just get some kc lights and hook them up using the existing wiring. I figure I may have to change the plug on the lights to fit the oem fog connection. Does this seem reasonable, using the switch that is in the cab already? Well I have to change anything else. I know nothing about wiring. Can anybody help with this?

I'm not sure what a relay is and what it does, or what the power output to the oem fogs was, so I don't know if this may be possible if I buy the fit lights or if I am doomed to have to run new wiring.

I just want to use everything that is already there, but I don't know of that will be possible.

 

OK, stop. No internet message board is going to supply you with what you need to know to do something like this successfully. You're going to need to educate yourself about "wiring" and general DC electronics. Whether it is through a book, a class or other literature, you need to get yourself some learnin!


I don't have a primer to suggest, since DC junk has been in my blood since I was a kid. I learned by experimenting (on things other than $30k trucks!!).


Or, how about this - do you know/live near someone that *does* know anything about electronics and electricity? Ask them to teach you and show you what you need to know.


Not suggesting you're unable to learn or that you should give up, but you need to get your fundamentals down first. It'll serve you well in the long run.

 

^You obviously have't been aroun TW long enough with your 42 posts.^
And since you're such a DC electronics expert you should have been able to tell him yes or no.


OEM fogs are 42 watts, you can probably wire in 2 55W bulbs with no problem (if you blow a fuse you know you need to rewire with larger wire & relay but switch will still be good since it only carries a small load).
A relay does the main power switching so the actual switch doesn't have to carry as big of a load.

 

Thank you for that. I am familiar with the fundamentals of electricity (I am a science teacher) but just not wiring in a vehicle. I figured that if I figure out what may work or not (to buy the right stuff), then find out what I need to do (what the job actually entails), so that I can focus my research for how to actually do it, or perhaps decide to hire someone else to do it.

I realize there are morons around on the Internet who need some looking out for, but I guess I'm just saying I'm not one, despite how ignorant my OP Must have looked to you. I started here looking for info on how to do a job on this specific vehicle, then get more general info somewhere else.

 

Subbed because I want to do the same thing. I'd get a set of LED lights instead, since they have lower current draw. Something like this http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/gr...60-series-3600-lumen-led-off-road-lights.html

 

Those will work without a doubt.

 

With only a change of connector? Or will other stuff need to be done?

 

Just swap the connector or splice the wires.

 

Cool, thanks! I'm looking at the rigid dually's. I think those will be ok too.

 

Just as a heads up, because it hasn't been said, the ADV and Rigid lights are NOT for on road use. If you do hook them up to the stock fog wiring, do not use them on the road, it is not legal.

On that note, google the "how does a Bosch relay work". Most relays work off of a very basic principle, and a 4-pin Bosch relay (pins labeled 30, 85, 86, 87) is very simple, and is easily self-teachable, expecially considering your career. The 5-pin Bosch type relay is a little bit different, with a 30, 85, 86, 87, and 87a. I tried searching all over this website when trying to re-familiarize myself with relays, but there's really not enough information here to make sense, as alot if it is tacoma specific. If you read the "e-how", or "how stuff works" on the Bosch relay, and understand the basic concept, you'll be able to apply it to all kinds of different things.

Because you're a teacher, I assume you understand different learning types, I for one, need to do something in order to learn it. I can't just read about it and then apply the theory, I've gotta be hands-on. So before you start digging into and trying to tap into your truck's OEM harness, you might want to just get your hands into the theory; go to radio shack, get a spst switch, spdt switch, a Bosch relay, a handful of small test leads (alligator clip type), a few 9v batteries, and a test light of some kind. This is exactly what I did, and it's easier for me to suggest that, than to try and explain the theory to you.

 

Good idea, I might even have some of that stuff in my prep room at school! That's too bad about the rigid lights, I wonder if they have a dot legal version? Would it be that noticeable when driving that I was using illegal lighting? Are they just that bright?

 

Dot legal: To my knowledge, there are no DOT legal Rigid or ADV lights, and I'm pretty up to date on these lights. Check the manufacturer websites and your local laws.

Would it be noticeable: Absolutely. It would be very easy to impede the vision of oncoming drivers.

These lights are incredibly bright..

 

Funny, my bulbs are labeled 35W on a '12. I may be new to TW (it has better 2nd Gen forums than other boards).

It's the "teach a man to fish" vs "give him a fish" theory. He'd do better to learn some basics, first.

 

He doesn't have a '12.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/lighting/242743-what-wattage-stock-fogs-2009-a.html#post5795359

 

I understand, but being a teacher I think that learning from talking to people and asking questions is just as effective for learning than learning from a book. I don't see why I can't ask questions, hoping that someone with experience may give me some pointers, instead of just going to a book on electronics and tearing into my truck. Basically, you have to learn from somewhere, why does it have to be a book rather than a person?

And I don't want this thread to be a shitstorm, cuz then anyone with useful info for me will probably just skip over this.
Thanks to those who helped, sorry to bother the rest of you that felt I went about learning the wrong way.

/failedthread

 

Oh and btw I have a friend who is a machinist, I will probably have him machine a housing for my oem fogs that I can bolt to my bumper and not really change anything but where the lights are mounted. Custom, unique, cheap easy. Only bad thing is that I still haven't learned much about this topic. Guess I will just go get a book...

 

Good morning teach, OK, if the stock fogs are 42w X 2 that's 84W divided by 12 (volts of your system), = 7 amps total.
If you replace them with 55w X2 KC's comes out to 110W divided by 12 (volts) = 9.166667 amps total. I'm guessing that the fuse in the fuseblock for the fogs is probably rated at 10 amps. If you look at the inside cover of your fuse block it should have the diagram saying which fuse is which. If it is indeed a 10 amp fuse you should be fine. Never put a larger fuse in without replacing the existing wire with heavier GA wire.
You should be fine teach.

 

ILuvtheMountains,

In your search for lamps, search for lamp housings that use 9145 bulbs. That is the bulb number used in the stock Toyota lamps. This would solve your search without changing anything and meet your electrical needs. I am not certain how difficult your search will be.

 

Thank you sir. Between your concise explanation and a few readings online and I feel better about what to look for and how to make sure it will work.

 

Your welcome, let us know how it works out