What Have You Done To Your 3rd Gen Today?

I wanted to place a post here in case there are others considering Rock Lights for their trucks or other Lighting options. I have received a lot of PMs since I made my original post of my install over a month ago asking about two things mainly: placement of Rock Lights and how I chose to run the wiring.

Rock Light Placement click HERE

Mattgecko’s Light Placement click HERE

Wiring click HERE

Please look over the writeups for exact placements and wiring. The only thing I haven’t posted yet and I will, is where and how I wired my Rock Lights for my Wheel Wells. I will touch on it briefly here though. Rock Light Placement is pretty standard under the truck in the Front and Rear. The main question I have been getting is the placement on my Side Courtesy LED Strip Lighting Placement and why I chose LED Strip Lighting over two Rock Lights. Here is a comparison picture of Rock Lights verses LED Strip Lighting.

Strip Lighting



2 Rock Lights



You can see how the light spread is much better with the LED Strip Lighting on the sides. If you look at my personal pictures below, you can also tell which ones I angled straight down and which ones I have at a 45 degree angle. The sole purpose of angling the Side Courtesy LED Strip Lighting at a 45 degree angle pointed inward is the amount of spread you will get verses mounting them straight down. By mounting your Lights straight down you get the circle on the ground output. I wanted my Light evenly spread throughout the side of my truck for better lighting quality. Take a look at these pics...

Circle Light Output on the Ground from Front and Rear Rock Lights





Even Spread Output on the Ground from Side LED Strip Lighting



With the Front and Rear Rock Lights, you don’t have many options and since I mounted them closer together, in what I think is the perfectly designed location for these, I wasn’t too concerned. However, with the side distribution of light needing to be more spread out along the whole side of the truck, you can see how mounting them at the 45 degree angle allows for just that.

Also, when connecting and doing the wiring, most will say to hardwire them and whatnot. I found it more convenient and more functional to use weatherpack connectors. Easy to disconnect in the future if there ever is a time that calls for it. I just saw some pictures from another member recently that followed a similar install, used the weatherpacks just like me, and made his own harness too, and it came out very clean. It’s pretty easy to do. Unfortunately, Baja Designs Rock Lights do not come in a kit with a wiring harness already made like some other setups like The Retrofit Source offers, but it just takes a little time to do. Trust me, you will appreciate the convenience later down the road if you have to disconnect them for any reason. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me like others have done. Last thing I would mention, make sure to mount your Rock Lights either straight above or on the inside angled towards the truck/under the truck at the 45 degree angle. You don’t want to mount them on the inside pointing outward because when they are lit up at night, it won’t look as nice and it won’t be hidden. I personally don’t care to see my Rock Light lit up, as much as I do the Rock Light glow. Here are some pics of what I mean.

Bad Placement

Mounted on the inside pointing outward. Some even go as far as mounting them even lower and pointing more towards their UCAs.



Why is this bad? Well this is the Light Output you will receive.



If you wish to be able to see the Rock Light from the side, then this works.

Good Placement

Mounted up above or pointed inward towards the truck. Wheel wells are towards the inner side of the Truck and have a great hidden spread. The two Rock Lights on the side are mounted straight down towards the ground.



Again, all you see with these installs is the glow from the Rock Lights, not the actual Rock Light lit up. Makes a big difference and in my opinion looks a lot better.

 

@Canyonero, could you please tell me which Amazon offering this is (they've got a few) and whether or not it makes closing the console more difficult (seems to be the common complaint)?

 

I hated mine, returned it the same day it arrived. Made closing the lid a huge PITA.

 

Super. Thanks!

 

So much of this stuff boils down to personal preference. I would like a cover, and would likely tolerate a slight inconvenience. It's not like I'd be going into the console frequently.

 

True, I am in and out of mine constantly. I went with a leather padded replacement from Redline Goods.

 

Wired up an aux USB port to just have a nice short cable going to me dash cam.


Then I trimmed and installed my ME-SO CP6.1w and switches. Next step is to install my 30" light bars with my SDHQ mount behind the grille and wire them up. The rest of the switches will have to wait, sadly, until I can work a few more OT shifts, but they're coming.

 

I will once it arrives lol

 

I got the shift boot, ebrake boot and center console lid all in black leather with red stitching to match the Pro interior. Now to find the little stickers to fill in the TRD on the shift knob.

 

In my 2016 then my 2017 before I got Clazzios I had the neoprene cover from Amazon...added a iron on patch too. It was a must have since anytime I was sweaty, or coming out of the saltwater/surfing etc, putting my arm on the neoprene was way better than sticking or feeling the missed sand on my arm on the vinyl. Plus if it gets dirty you can wash.
I initially had a little issue closing but after adjusting it some and with the center console tray installed, no issues what so ever.
Pic is not good color wise but Toyota logo was black with bright red stitching.
For the Clazzios I had them embroider the leather console cover.

$30 Car Console Covers Plus Handmade in USA Designed for Toyota Tacoma 2005-2023 Neoprene Center Console Auto Armrest Cover Protector Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017JCIGI4/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Just wanted to say "Thanks!" for all the photos and detailed info.

One day (no time soon), I'd just like to install a couple of lights underneath, near the front doors, just to light the ground when getting in and out (somehow tied to the locks/dome light). I can see this as being really handy for avoiding stepping in puddles/mud at night.

 

I had this one.
Once adjusted, no issues with closing at all.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017BSBOU8/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

I definitely recommend it. The wiring for that is pretty easy as you won’t need a switch to wire in either. All you would do is get two T-Taps and remove the A-pillar where the dome light wiring is located. These are the two wires you will need to tap into



Picture is courtesy of @mesojdm for when he tapped his mirror puddle lights for this exact purpose. When you connect all of your Rock Lights, make your own harness with weatherpack connectors for a more plug & play feature. I would not suggest hardwiring them together. Or...maybe reach out to @mesojdm and see if he still modified mirrors for his puddle lights. They shine down right where you are looking for with the front doors.

 

Did you ever think that the reason your truck shifts when doors open and close is shit like this? For the love of god stop telling people to t tap wires it causes circuits to overload. You aren't helping anyone.

 

lol.

 

I appreciate the link, but it doesn't seem to work. All I get are "Dogs of Amazon!".

 

The madness has to stop

 

Try this one;

ISSYAUTO Center Console Cover, Compatible with 2016-2023 Tacoma Accessories, Armrest Console Cover Protector

https://www.amazon.com/Issyzone-Arm...3787&sr=8-1&keywords=tacoma+console+lid+cover

 

Much better, thanks. So, the same one that @Canyonero is using (I probably should have realized this sooner, duh).

 

Did you ever think that if the transmission has an issue, like it does, it is connected to the BCM which is connected to the dome light and everything else in the truck. I’m sorry but SwitchPro also backs me when tapping onto a wire for a signal will not void any warranty or cause my transmission to do whatever it is doing. But thanks