Tail light-tap in for bed lights

I know I will catch a lot of flack, but better safe than sorry. Im trying to tap into my tail light for power to my bed lights. Obviously it would be the easiest place. I couldnt get a voltage reading at the socket or at the bulb. Which wire should I tap into the white or green and at which location? Thanks

 

When do you want them on?
If you only need them on with the key on and you have the tow package with the 7 way plug you can use the Black 12v power wire at the plug.

 

@12retire Yeah, there is not a constant 12V at the taillight. You have brake, turn, park, reverse, and ground. Depending on the trailer plug assembly, it may be possible to make a tee harness so you wouldn't have to use vampire clips. I think the standard went into effect in 2013 (I am not positive, that is just what I recall reading). If your trailer plug disconnects from behind the bumper and looks like this, a tee is possible. If not, is still possible, but would take some more research.

 

If you want constant power when the truck is turned off just run a fused circuit directly from the battery. That'll be the easiest way to get power back there. Just make sure you properly size the wire.

 

Thanks, I will just tap into my tow plug.

 

Toyota does not use this style trailer plug, theirs are permanently wired.

I will caution you that circuit has a 30 amp fuse (BATT CHG Fuse) so I would recommend putting a fuse in the circuit you are adding or changing the 30A fuse to an appropriate amperage for what you are adding.
Trailer plug wiring diagram below.

 

Good to know. I know the 3rd gens use it, and was pretty sure earlier 2nd gens did not, but wasn't sure about late 2nd gen's.

 

Mine is permanently wired on my truck and Toyota wants over $200 for the harness with the plug, I found that out because mine got cracked and I was going to replace it.
I'll probably just put a Hopkins plug on it when it quits working.

 

You may change the 2nd Gen to a 3rd Gen. It would also require that the 3rd Gen towing have a custom retaining bracket.

 

That's what I did. I want the bed lights to work anytime I want them to work

 

I tried a piggy back fuse but was having trouble running it through the cab to the bed. Im a beginner at this wiring shit.

 

You don't go through the cab. Connect directly to the battery and run the wire to a circuit breaker then down the firewall to the frame then back to the bed. From there I went into the bed cubby and added an aux fuse panel then switch for the lights and plugs for 12v, usb, and an isolator with a plug for a 2nd battery to power a fridge.

 

I wanted the switch inside the cabin. So my hot lead from the battery comes in through the firewall grommet and exits through a grommet under the driver's side floorboard.

I did it several years ago so I don't have any pix of the wiring. But I can snap a couple later today if you want.

I just happened to have an old OE rocker switch from a 90s era 4Runner laying around. So it got repurposed