Julie's '04 2.4l Base 2wd, Spyder headlights/switchback turn signals write-up

Just figured I'd put everything in one spot.

I'll start with my Spyder headlights and turn signal switchback lights from V-LEDs.

So, the Spyder headlights are pretty easy, just two wires that you link to a power source of your choosing, and ground it.
(Note: these headlights are prone to leaking. Ask anyone else who has them. I don't mean condensation, I mean filling up with water. They tend to leak on the edges of the corner lights, I just went over mine with some DAP auto/marine sealant I got at Home Depot. One of mine filled up with water and blew my headlight, I sent a picture to the seller and they sent my a double-sealed replacement free of charge. I still went over it with my sealant again just to be safe)
I bought some weatherproof 2 pin connectors that come in a pack of 10 with male and female ends, got them on ebay for like $7.

I chose to put them in an empty fuse slot in my interior fuse box, so they come on when I turn the key.
I used the bussmann add-a-circuit because I'm lazy. XD (Also, install it just like I did. You'll need the lights connected to the "cold side" of the fuse for the fuse to work, otherwise, you're bypassing the fuse, which = bad)

To get the wire in the cab, I used a coat hanger I straightened out and stabbed it through the grommet with the wire taped on the other end.
Engine bay:

Interior, behind fuse box:

Easy enough.
And they're grounded on the same bolt as the battery with terminal rings.

Ok, now the switchbacks.
This was a PITA at first until I figured out what all I needed.
I got a new LED compatible flasher relay (it's located on the back of the interior fuse box), this way, no resistors are needed to correct any "hyper-flash" issues. You can get one on Amazon for around $8.
And since our trucks only have 2 wires going to the turn signals, a 3rd one has to be added.
I bought the v3 Triton kit from V-LEDs (yeah, it's not very cheap, but I had a discount code at the time and their customer service is awesome and everything has a warranty).
If you go with them, you will need the 3157CK socket. CK SOCKET.
If you get the standard 3157 socket, you're gonna blow a ton of fuses.
Along with that kit, you'll need their parking light adapter kit, it's $15.
This is how it works

Since I already have the DRLs from my headlights, I just spliced it's blue wire in with their red (+) wire.


And that's it.

Finished product
https://youtu.be/yQPwjSSDVc8

 

Other stuff I've done:
New spark plugs
New PCV Valve
Custom fitted black and yellow seat covers
Drop-in AFE pro dry S air filter
PIAA Xtreme White Plus headlight bulbs
ARE utility topper

And changed my dash light to blue for poops and giggles





Coming soon: getting the Fabtech Spindle lift/add-a-leaf/shock kit installed whenever I either have the time to, or I get a decent quote from a shop.
One quoted me $1800 so far.
That ain't happenin'. Lol

 

Sweet!

 

I edited in a few important notes I forgot to mention, sorry.
I think that's everything now.

 

Wow those lil 2.4L 5 luggers are pretty bare bones hu? Or atleast yours is(no offense). It's weird to see multiple empty fuse slots in the fuse box and where your wiring comes out of the interior and into the engine bay, its totally empty there!! On my trucks and especially the runner that area is full of stuff! My two reg cab tacos are pretty bare bones too. Manual windows and locks, manual hubs with a fully mechanical j shift transfer case, no cruise control, none of that kind of stuff. But it seems like i must have all kinds of options and whatnot since my interior fuse box is plum full! I have used those add a fuse deals from bussmann aswell! Definitely makes wiring up stuff that needs 12v easy, regardless of if you need it all the time or with key on or whatever. That fuse tap makes it nice and simple, no chasing wires around under the dash or splicing into and.being invasive to ignition wires or whatever you may find to use under the dash!

 

Yeah, my old Pre-Runner with the tow package was a bit different.
I'm learning to love my 5 lugger, even if it is pretty bare.
I used two 5A fuses in the add-a-circuit, lights are working fine.
I'll probably upgrade the alternator and battery sometime soon, gonna add a light bar and some lights for inside of the topper, too.

 

Good call on lighting up the topper! I put bed lights in one of my tacomas and love em! I have lights literally everywhere on, around and under that particular rig, lol. But i used 4 bolt leds that i mounted into the inner bed rails and i still cant believe how well those lil lights work. I certainly wasnt expecting the output they offer, very pleased with them!

 

Looks good! I thought about just doing bed lights as well, but I've got a bedliner that I want to put in, so I'm not 100% sure yet where I want to mount them.
How did you run the wires for those, btw?

 

I was also able to run the wiring for all those under the bed rail, totally hidden and secure. Under the rails there is basically 2 layers of metal there with oval/oblong holes in the bottom layer every several inches. So i was able to run the wires under the truck (along with a bunch of others i have for rock lights and rearward facing led bars)and up the front corner of the bed and that gets you right into where these two layers are, completely hidden. Then just thread the wires inbetween these layers (a real bitch at times but certainly doable) and thread it out one of the several holes along there when its needed to go to your accessory. Its so perfect, no wires shown anywhere except under the truck, but what the hell, just run it with the existing harness that goes to the rear of the truck. All good, its like a factory setup. I love how a guy can thread wires through the rails like that! I also have a couple cube style leds mounted on magnets there on the front of my bed rack. I of course ran the wiring for those through there aswell. So ive got 6 wires threaded through that tiny ass space between the two layers under the bed rails on each side. So there is ample space for most needs a guy would have as for wiring stuff up in or along the bed.

If i didnt explain that in a way you could understand/figure out let me know. Maybe i could get some pics, itd pry be hard but i could try. However if you went out and felt under your rails i bet youd understand then how i did it. And remember at the front of the bed if ya look under there you can see the space where you would be able to thread wires up through there and begin fishing them along the underside of the rails.

To accomodate all the damn lights and crap i have, i got one of those bussmann rtmr fuse/relay boxes. So everything goes to that for super quick and easy hook up and install. I utilized waterproof connectors too. That box is so damn nice for running lots of accessories! I love it!

For all the switches i needed i scooped up one of paranoid fabs 6 switch plates that go under a double din stereo in place of the "din". That also looks so awesome as far as looking clean and even factory really. I even wired all the switches to my interior lights so they dim like everything else. Friggin shit tons of wiring though, lettme tell ya! There is 5 pins off the back of each switch! I have 6 switches there then 2 above the interior fuse box then one more where the diff lock switch goes on the elock models. I have a compressor and air locker instead and they are part of the 6 switches under the stereo.

 

just an FYI. I had the VLED switchbacks since last September. One has now lost brightness in two rows of a single bulb. turn signal works fine still

 

Soldered and heat shrunk. Looking good.

 

If it's still under warranty, give them a call.
I believe the guy I spoke with was named Eli, very kind and helpful.

 

I keep wanting to add footwell lights along with a secondary dome light, but I'm just not ready to tear down my headliner and open up that pillar, lol.
I'm sure if I got under there and studied it I could figure it out.
It's been raining today and I don't have any dry cardboard to lay down on to stay out of the mud, it's all soaking wet in my fire pit, it'll have to wait.

 

Youll only need to lay on the ground to understand where to run wires up the front corner of the bed. Otherwise you can just feel under the bed rail to understand what needs to be done there!

Fyi for the second interior light be prepared for a fight with the oh shit handle screws on the a pillar!! Ive never been able to get mine out without feeling like shit will break or strip!!

 

Gotcha.
Yeah, that's what I've heard, I'm not ready to fight that pillar just yet, lol.
Maybe I can locate those wires elsewhere, I really don't want to open that thing up.
It's fuse is in the engine bay, those wires have gotta be in one of the plastic conduits somewhere.

 

Nice write up, i want to get a set of switchbacks

 

warranty is 1 year on every product, so not anymore

 

I'd still talk to them and see if they can do anything for you, maybe give you a discount and let you buy just the part(s) you need.
Sorry to hear that, I'm gonna go back and shrink wrap pretty much the whole set up and add some plastic conduit.
Hopefully it'll make em last longer.

 

So this is where every wire that runs down the pillar ends up underneath the dash.
I'm not looking forward to locating the dome light wires out of this mess, lol.
I'll figure something out.