License plate light Disable while In Reverse (DIR)

This mod consists of a custom plug and play harness to disable the license plate lights when the vehicle is in reverse.
The purpose of the modification is to suppress glare on the backup camera and increase safety at night when reversing.

Installation video, courtesy of Chloe Kuo
https://youtu.be/X1_eYLNVGA8

Written Installation instructions for those who prefer them.



Backup camera with license plate lights on (DD HP3 5000K)

Same view with mod engaged while in reverse


Expand the spoiler below to view additional photos from others who have installed this harness.

Spoiler: Additional Photos

Spoiler: Tonered

Before - Neutral

Before - Reverse

After - Neutral

After - Reverse

Spoiler: DJFriar

Video of DIR in action at the end of 3rd brake light demo.
https://youtu.be/4svbQUf7-2k

Spoiler: rdvm1972

Before

After

Spoiler: ktbell44

Before

After

Spoiler: Alamo72

Before

After

Design information and DIY thread is located here.

This harness is specific to a 3rd gen Tacoma for now. Harnesses for 2nd Gen Tacoma and 3rd gen Tundra are also available.

Purchasing instructions

Fan Club

Installation instructions

FAQ

 

Purchasing:

FBC Website

Current Inventory (9/24): 3

• The order process is two steps. Step one is filling out the google form above to provide your address. Step 2 is sending payment as instructed in the form.
• I typically pack at night and ship in the morning. You should receive an email as soon as the shipping label is generated. It would be great to review the shipping address from the email promptly to ensure it is correct and contact me if you see any problems, I may be able to fix it before sending.
• I will track receipt of payment, the date I send your package and the tracking number.

Payment:

The below paragraph is mostly outdated given my current state. I'm OK being a little bit behind if you are reasonable about your expectations of when this will ship. I have bulk parts in stock to make about 100 of these so it's only a matter of build time. Please feel free to order unless you hear otherwise.

I will only accept orders when product is ready to ship. This protects both of us. It protects you from any frustration due to delays and allows you to change your mind on interest. It protects me from ending up in a situation where I am unable to source connectors or any other requisite parts at the prices I need to keep costs reasonable. I don’t want either of us unhappy. Inventory will be kept up to date on a daily basis. Once inventory dips below 10 I start the next batch of 25. It takes me about a week from start to finish for a single batch. If inventory reaches zero I will temporarily disable the form until I have the next batch tested and ready to ship.

Shipping:

I promise to ship within 3 business days of receiving payment. Under normal conditions I will ship the business day following payment. I currently ship via USPS in a small box.

Please be very careful opening the shipping box so that you do not damage the harness. To cut the tape use light pressure and keep the blade as shallow as possible.

 

As of 2022 I'm not actively updating this list. If you want to be added, contact me and I'll put you on. I just can't keep up and at this point there are enough people here that you can likely find someone you already know or are willing to reach out to if you want to hear from someone who has it.

Spoiler: DIR Fan Club

1. @daveeasa
2. @tonered
3. @Tacosrus
4. @99ranged
5. @79CHKCHK
6. @Lucky Lefty
7. @hirod
8. @s7726
9. @Criera
10. @Tacotoast
11. @Ruminator
12. @KnckleChldrn
13. @corgimas
14. @AbnMP13
15. @GarlicFarts
16. @ShirtTucker
17. @Slideeslide
18. @eurowner
19. @taoist
20. @CreoUCLA
21. @304_Taco
22. @USATRDR8CR
23. @HelloFelix
24. @bacon_st
25. @Bedawson
26. @Jkline101
27. @HFDane
28. @Khoadattran
29. @ScaryVersion
30. @fatboyfirebass
31. @mwrood
    
32. @Frsh2df
33. @Shellshock
34. @Komurphy
35. @gemiv19
36. @brkncly
37. @MaxT
38. @Dirtyleg
39. @Traction
40. @squarenone
41. @Gus87
42. @The Pirate
43. @TacoBucc11
44. @Benny blanco
45. @Bachman
46. @DC4L
47. @dbllrr
48. @CrimsonDave22
49. @BudFriendguy
50. @Kyle831
51. @stiles88
52. @19QUICKSANDTACOTRD
53. @playdixie
54. @ixnay
55. @RadioTaco
56. @JayCue
57. @eclane
58. @Dubnali
59. @RushT
60. @DJFriar
61. @tommygs3
62. @cemented
63. @SJaYx2P
64. @Matt Sierra
65. @RoostrC0gburn
66. @TAZMINATOR
67. @Derrick2972
68. @sailingtoweather
69. @excentryk
70. @WaitingOnMyR1T
71. @JDSmith
72. @Kane50
73. @Amuzed2death
74. @ChuckTacoTruck
75. @dlb97as
76. @mday01
77. @kj1231
78. @Edubreuil
79. @Tmaloy
80. @Gusgus
81. @DarthPat1977
82. @JLWasHere
83. @ld25ca
84. @deputyduy21
85. @Dellafor
86. @yuber814
87. @bavery
88. @KUMA26
89. @Team Scream
90. @southernmost
91. @Woodylz
92. @Majora
93. @bmxtaco
94. @SixStringFlyboy
95. @kdotv23
96. @dizda
97. @FlickFrack
98. @XrayDelta1
99. @harpo1
100. @Scrovak
101. @Watkinseli91
102. @SchistHappens
103. @Skenderbeu
104. @Aaronjk
105. @McFlysRide
106. @jayavilak5
107. @audiopudding
108. @Tarnold77
     
109. @B1sko3
110. @Sp0rttraxx
111. @swordfiish_
112. @elmontemike
113. @DPiraTech
114. @Greg.Brakes.Tacos
115. @asl0621
116. @MavTheRonin
117. @Stigman
118. @Double Down
119. @mandog
120. @e3po
121. @calzonical
122. @Woodman500
123. @forrest1st
124. @Glaese
125. @AtomAnt
126. @Shaggy1215
127. @MasOlas
128. @M&MHuskys
129. @Devious6
130. @mason979
131. @stinger86
132. @rdvm1972
133. @TheAredub
134. @Goodhews89
135. @NoOne
136. @h2ohhh
137. @jk24
138. @ljh824
139. @Shoprat
140. @longshoreazn
141. @StormTroop425
142. @Kahpo
143. @Snowman7878
144. @Downeastah82
145. @ktbell444
146. @bonifacio
147. @G8R_Taco
148. @DES2009
149. @mbYota
150. @SunRunner
151. @Tuscany5932
152. @Dravyss
153. @SuperWhiteTaco84
154. @elaudtr
155. @rtadams89
156. @kmorgan3
157. @Goldie808
158. @Evanp7755
159. @Bumble Bee Tuna
160. @jnprn2003
     
161. @ElDelrado
162. @motorick
163. @wahoobie
164. @TheTacoAdventurer
165. @Jeff Dartfrog
166. @kingtone68
167. @Alamo72
168. @Vader_The_Taco
169. @sbb
170. @poroto
171. @runmc
172. @Absolut_Boost
173. @jbiscuit
174. @manwithtools
175. @mdh_us
176. @MrBrooks
177. @Jes963
178. @vinces_ego
179. @Acarlon
180. @Steamy Longbottom
181. @OlympicTaco
182. @doublethebass
183. @Loretta
184. @MinesBroken
185. @Mr. Twisty
186. @Ridethisbike
187. @WhiteTaco20
188. @Shawny5ive
189. @brentano
190. @Yotamot
191. @JManning1423
192. @Castle 4
193. @Tan4x4TACO
194. @OskiATX
195. @tjb1
196. @shiftd
197. @Marley&Me
198. @dilbert
199. @TacoDash89
200. @Soul Surfer

 

Installation Video
https://youtu.be/X1_eYLNVGA8

Installation Instructions:

Tools:

1. ¼” socket driver and 10mm socket or 10mm box wrench (ratcheting preferred)
2. Some tool to cut the ends of zip ties (diamond cutters, flush cutters, etc)

Steps:

1. Remove driver side rear taillight
   1. Remove top and bottom 10mm bolts and place on tailgate
   2. Wearing a soft cotton shirt, press chest on the back of the taillight
   3. Grab top and bottom edges of taillight with left and right fingers
   4. Firmly pull towards your chest using your chest as a bump stop until you hear two pops, one for the top retaining pin and one for the bottom
   5. Be careful with finger placement so you do not remove skin from your knuckles as the bumper end caps have sharp inside edges
   6. Disconnect all 3 connectors and place the taillight on a soft towel on the tailgate
2. Mount relay
   1. Cut off and remove the zip tie holding M6 stainless washer and lock nut to the relay mounting bracket
   2. Place the relay mounting bracket onto the lower stud in the taillight cavity
   3. Add the washer and hand thread the lock nut being careful not to cross thread
   4. Finish tightening the lock nut using 10mm socket or box wrench to 10Nm or 88 inch pounds
3. Connect reverse T harness
   1. Plug the male end of the 2 pin reverse T harness into the factory harness female connector
   2. Plug the female end of the 2 pin reverse T harness into the bulb or MESO total tail harness 2 pin reverse male connector.
   3. Feed the longer end of the harness through the hole at the bottom where the factory harness exits the tailgate cavity
   4. Use one zip tie to secure the plate light intercept branch of the DIR harness to the factory harness below the relay. This is the longer of the two segments feeding into 4 pin connectors.
   5. Use one zip tie to secure the relay trigger branch of the DIR harness. This is the shorter of the two segments feeding into 2 pin connectors which were connected in step 2.
   6. Use additional zip ties to secure the reverse T harness to the OEM harness to protect against unnecessary vibration.
4. Replace driver side rear taillight
   1. Be careful not to pinch any wires when reinstalling the taillight
   2. Note the OEM white tape indicates the position on the OEM loom where it engages with the plastic notches in the taillight
   3. Push gently once aligned to re-engage the push-in connectors, hand thread the bolts, and tighten to 10Nm or 88 inch pounds
5. Connect license plate light T harness
   1. Locate the grey 4 pin connector under the driver side bumper near the 7 pin trailer harness connector.
   2. If you have BSM this connector should have all 4 positions pinned, if you have no BSM you should see 2 positions pinned and 2 plugs. The colors of the wires should all match up.
   3. Feed the license plate T harness from the hole to the connector
   4. Disconnect the 4 pin connector and snap the T in between the two pieces
   5. Use zip ties to secure the DIR plate light intercept harness to the OEM harness. Attempt to secure the floating T portion of the harness to existing harnesses as much as possible to prevent vibration from causing fatigue. Try to position zip ties as close as possible to factory retention clips where the OEM harness attaches to the chassis.
6. Adjust camera brightness and contrast settings
   1. Click the gear icon to enter settings on the OEM Etune head unit
   2. Click Display to reach Display Settings
   3. Click Camera under Adjust Contrast/Brightness
   4. To adjust daytime settings, have your lights off
   5. To adjust nighttime settings, have your lights on
   6. Refer to nighttime configuration photo below as provided by @Tacosrus

• Test and confirm proper operation
  1. If license plate lights do not turn on with parking lights while in park/neutral, disconnect license plate T and re-connect to confirm it seats properly. If, after that step, license plate lights work properly with the T disconnected but don’t with it connected, there is a problem with the harness, contact me for advanced troubleshooting / replacement.
  2. If license plate lights do not turn off when shifting to reverse, check the relay to confirm it is properly seated and the reverse T harness to confirm it is properly seated as well. The colors should match up as well. If you observe trouble with this, contact me for replacement.

NOTE: The 3 installation photos are from an initial prototype which used wire loom. The final product uses PVC tubing and will look a little different. Also, wire colors are subject to change based on stock. You can, of course, apply your own loom and/or tape if you so desire. The harness is not visible once installed. Last, the photos below were taken before any zip ties were used. Please remember to secure your DIR harness from vibration as much as possible using zip ties.

 

FAQ:

1. Is this modification street legal?

a. Probably not. The vehicle codes I’ve read give no exception for reverse. However, with reverse lights properly engaged, it takes a very good eye to notice the license plate lights are off while a vehicle is in reverse when not looking through the camera. Also note that the T harness can be disconnected to resolve any fixit tickets (see below).

2. Will I get a ticket for this?

a. I don’t expect any police officer would ticket for this. If you do get such a ticket please post about the experience and we can discuss how we might improve things to avoid that in the future.

3. How do I disable for vehicle inspections or other reasons?

a. Unplug the license plate T and leave it disconnected. Tape off the ends if you plan to do this for an extended period or in inclement weather. If you intend to do this frequently you can purchase a pair of sealed caps from me for $10 extra at time of purchase or $15 after the fact.

4. Is there a product for 2nd gen Tacoma or 3rd gen + Tundra?

a. We expect to produce these in the near future, look for relevant threads in the appropriate forum.

5. How long will it take after payment to receive?

a. I should be able to ship within 2-3 business days via USPS. If you prefer a different shipper please contact me for rates.

6. Do you ship internationally?

a. Contact me with specifics and we’ll see if we can work something out.

7. How do I resolve a dispute?

a. Please contact me first if you have concerns or a problem with the product or delivery. If, however, you feel I haven’t resolved your concern adequately, you may use @memario1214 as an escalation path.

8. Do you have any additional photos?

a. Please review the additional pictures “spoiler” section in post 1.

9. Will this work with aftermarket taillights and/or MESO total tails?

a. Yes. This harness is designed to connect directly to the OEM reverse connector feeding the driver's taillight. Any downstream aftermarket taillight systems will be unaffected as they will simply plug into the female connector of the T harness rather than the female OEM connector.

10. How do you pronounce DIR?

a. Just like a pirate says Arrr, DIR is pronounced Drrr.

 

... I just got rid of the License Plate lights!

 

In!.. again

 

Also in again

 

Make a video!

 

In!

 

Please add me. I’m in for one.

 

Sign me up please.

 

In.

 

For those of us that our on the pre-order list, how will we know ours is ready?

 

Are you still taking pre orders ?

 

I will post clear instructions in post #2 as each batch is ready.

I assumed interest so I added you to the list.

 

Put me down on your list. Thanks.

 

In!

 

I’m in! Do I pay now or wait until 3 months or so down the road?

 

Added all 3 of you and updated post 2. No payment until product is ready to ship.