Custom LED Map and Dome lights

Actually that's an excellent idea!!!!!!!!!

 

YouTube has a video that is pretty spot on & simple. I searched for “
Relpace map lights 2016 tacoma”

 

Just make sure you test them before snapping into place. 1 or both lights may have to be flipped around for proper polarity.

 

Ok, wanted to wait on full darkness for a follow-up post with night time pics and my own installation experience.

I tried the tape. not happening. Hot bulbs and sticky tape are like oil and water. LOL. Then there's the whole my fingers in the way thing. I opted for the panel removal method. I used that fat pry bar and the entire panel came out with little effort. I highly recommend a kit like this if you are gonna be friends with @mesojdm.



Seemed straight forward just as all you said. I had no idea there was a circuit board up inside there and the lack of wires confused me until I saw it when I removed the bulb sockets. Ok, here's where my brain gets the best of me every time. I am thinking, the lights are on with the door open so I leave the door open, twist the sockets out and remove the bulbs. Yes, those little suckers get hot. I figure ok, plug in the ME-SO lights and screw the socket in to test polarity. No luck. Take the socket out and reverse the wire. No luck. Take the entire led assembly back out and put the OEM bulbs in and they work. Ok. Start over. Take the bulbs out and feed the wires through the holes and plug them in the sockets. No luck. Then I remember I need to really push the led lead up into the socket really tight. I get one to work.

I was like WTH! All along I was just spinning the lead before inserting it into the socket and not spinning the socket like @Ro_Ja Boy said It's all about reading comprehension! Success!



And finally some night time pics.



Here are two pics from the back seat with the rear light off. The first one is untouched. The second one I tried to correct it to reduced the brightness to closer represent the actual effect as seen by the eye. These newer phones have such sophisticated low light cameras that some of these photos might be misleading. Either way I am freaking ecstatic but the amount of light output by these things. The red leds are just awesome!



Corrected version:



This last picture demonstrates how bad I need to get me a ME-SO Ultimate Dome Light in RED! I can't be going around like this.



Just one more that I think really speaks volumes for the quality, and badassness (yea, I'm making up words now) we have come to appreciate from @mesojdm and his wicked ass mind.
(again, I've corrected this a little to make up for the harshness the camera imposes in low light)



I feel like my Demonic theme Sport is farther along now!
Thanks @mesojdm !!!!

 

Wish I had taken the laptop out there with me. I might have seen this in time. LOL It will help others though so thanks!

And by Lights, we NOW all know we mean "SOCKETS" And by we, I mean ME!

That's ok, once again this community was everything I could hope for and then some. I know this isn't the same as installing a lift or, [cough @mesojdm cough] cutting holes into and parts off your truck off with a hacksaw but for me it's a major event and one I am equally proud of. Nothing makes me happier to tell people when I show them these mods "I didn't pay to have this done, I did the modification".

Now I can rest and have a drink or two.

 

I just got mine, I pulled the console down thinking that I could install them from the back side. I wasn't able to get them in. Of course I was at work and had no tools. Didn't think I would need any.
They didn't come with directions.
Any advice, I don't want to scratch up the plastic.
Thanks
David DeLay

 

Easiest way to install:
1) grab the entire overhead console by the side Edges. Pull straight down hard
2) twist and remove the 2 factory light sockets(the OEM bulb will be attached- remove it)
3) reach down through the light hole(from the top) with a pencil, screwdriver, whatever.. and push the factory lens out
4) fish the new map light connector through the hole and plug into the OEM socket. DO NOT SNAP new map light in until function tested. If they don't work, flip them around(polarity) and try again.
5) after verifying function, snap the entire console back in, followed by the new map lights.

 

In addition to @mesojdm post above, I posted a comprehensive list of instructions here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/custom-led-map-lights.521923/page-21#post-16888480

I used a small EDC knife to remove the OEM clear light cover, then again with the ME-SO versions when I thought I was doing something wrong. But the pencil idea sounds perfect.

 

Thanks,
I figured it out, I can be a little dense sometimes.
Love them, they look a heck of lot better than stock.
Great deal, I am happy i bought them!

 

Do you remember where you got that plastic tool removal kit from? Or who makes it? I NEED! Thanks! Great pics!

 

Thanks

I went back through my order history on Amazon and this is the kit I bought, only now it comes with two metal tools:

13 Pc Steel and Nylon Auto Trim Door Panel Window Molding Upholstery Clip Removal Tool Kit Prylon

Prylon 13 Pc Steel and Nylon Auto Trim Door Panel Window Molding Upholstery Clip Removal Tool Kit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PLD64ZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_nr3wAb2VXT54W

If you don't need the metal tools and want to spend less money, there's this kit. Same as mine but blue.

11Pc Auto Trim Door Panel Window Molding Upholstery Clip Removal Tool Kit (Blue)

Cal-Hawk 11Pc Auto Trim Door Panel Window Molding Upholstery Clip Removal Tool Kit (Blue)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01FN5KRMC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_gC3wAb7GG7RA5

But these kits are all about the same. My pouch has the Velcro straps sewn on backwards but I just use a large twist tie to keep it closed.

I originally bought the kit to install cross members on my previous 4Runner. I have used it for various things since then. Even around the house.

Rob

 

Mine delivered yesterday and I got them installed tonight after spending 7 hrs in the truck to pick up my next upgrade!
Thanks for a great mod @mesojdm.

Going to have to look a little closer at the drivers side later this week because it doesnt seem to push in like the passenger side which feels good. It works so its not a big deal either way.

 

it is tight fit with the OEM metal bowl up inside. A few members have slightly pushed/bent it back for more clearance of the new wires. looks good!

 

It might be a tight fit. The wires getting in the way could be whats making it function less smooth than the passenger side. I'll make sure to check that first later this week. Dont feel like messing with it in the dark tonight and its getting cold. Thanks for the tip!

 

Getting cold?!!! You got jokes. What's it down to like maybe 40? You poor baby.
40 would be a heat wave here in the Mid Atlantic - currently 19 wonderful degrees.
J/K dude. I'm only messing with you.

 

Tuesday is going to have a high of 31! Tomorrows going to be 54 . City will prob shut down Tues if it theres any ice. People here cant drive, especially in "wintery" weather.

 

I couldn't stand the salt on my Copper Ray 10s anymore so I took it to the car wash and also did the grill (Devil Horns on Fire), and of course the Ultimate LED turn signals. 22 degrees was freezing the soap LOL. It's 14 here now.

 

Been following this thread all day every day for a week waiting.

I just realized that my map lights have different finishes (you must have changed from the first batch you made that I had one from and then next) so I'm in for the map lights of this version as well.

 

That's the dome light he's working on but never fear, he IS making a new map light version that matches this! So yea, we have the version 1 now but there is a version 2 in the making.