1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Running Board LED's

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by awebber3, Jan 30, 2017.

  1. Jan 30, 2017 at 11:51 AM
    #1
    awebber3

    awebber3 [OP] TacoTacoTaco

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Member:
    #127383
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    '07 DCSB Prerunner 3" lift
    Exterior: MBRP catback dual exhaust Smittybilt N-fab nerf bars Bilstein 5100 shocks & struts OME 885 & add-a-leaf Ballistic Jester 17" 265/70r/17 Nitto Terrra Grappler 5500K Retrofit Headlights (Mini D2S Stage III) Black badges, Black bull bar w/ LED Pods Satoshi Grill mod K&N air filter Tri-Fold bed cover Rearview camera EGR in-channel rain guards 10% tint rear, 10% tint front, 70% tint on windshield Pop-a-Lock tailgate handle Spidertrax wheel spacers Cab mount chop BIG 3 upgrade LED Running Board lights Black LED tail lights (’09 and up style) Black LED 3rd brake WOLO Air Horn Interior: Kenwood excelon DDX9703S 2 JL 10W1V3-4 10'' subs Alpine type-R component speakers in front Alpine type-S component speakers in rear Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp Weather Tech laser cut floor mats Cobra radar wired in Viper 5704 alarm w/ auto start & added glass break sensor and tilt sensor
    So i got bored and decided to order an LED bed light kit on Amazon but use them as running board light/ puddle lights. I didn't take pics of the install but it was pretty simple.

    The kit was all plug & play so no stripping wires or adding an in-line fuse (power wire already had the in-line fuse)

    There are other write-ups on doing this ill explain my install since i used a bed light kit:
    I wanted the lights to turn on when I unlock the truck, and when I open the doors, so I tapped into the dome light wires. The A-pillar on the driver side is where the dome light wires run up, and is the easiest place to tap into them. In the split-loom that covers the wires there is a blue wire (this may differ from vehicle to vehicle) the blue wire is the negative trigger wire for the dome light. I spliced the ground wire for the LED's into the blue wire. For the power wire I spliced into a white wire. There are two solid white wires and on white wire with a black stripe. Im pretty sure both of the white wires deliver a constant 12v current, so I just picked one.

    I tested the lights before running the wires through the dash to prevent extra work. Once I knew they worked correctly I ran the wires through the dash and out the truck cab. I ran the wires through a rubber grommet under the floor carpet, then sealed the hole up with clear waterproof silicone caulk.

    I mounted the LED strip to the frame underneath the truck. This was the only place I could put them so they wouldn't be too bright and would shine on the ground and on the running boards. The LED strips had 3M tape already on the back, but i added a few zip-ties onto the strips just to be sure they wouldn't fall off.

    It took about 1.5 hours to do the entire install, and the kit was only $30 on Amazon


    LEDS.jpg Running board leds.jpg
     
  2. Jan 30, 2017 at 12:10 PM
    #2
    ChemDawg

    ChemDawg Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 15, 2015
    Member:
    #155296
    Messages:
    2,456
    Gender:
    Male
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2005 sr5 4x4
    Nice:thumbsup:
    I have wanted these for a while.
    Wasn't sure the led connections would be waterproof enough for maine.
    :rolleyes:
    I have led strips all around..footwell..glovebox..bedlighting ect.
    I even did back side of front grill..but haven't done much exterior....yet...
     
  3. Jan 30, 2017 at 12:18 PM
    #3
    awebber3

    awebber3 [OP] TacoTacoTaco

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Member:
    #127383
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    '07 DCSB Prerunner 3" lift
    Exterior: MBRP catback dual exhaust Smittybilt N-fab nerf bars Bilstein 5100 shocks & struts OME 885 & add-a-leaf Ballistic Jester 17" 265/70r/17 Nitto Terrra Grappler 5500K Retrofit Headlights (Mini D2S Stage III) Black badges, Black bull bar w/ LED Pods Satoshi Grill mod K&N air filter Tri-Fold bed cover Rearview camera EGR in-channel rain guards 10% tint rear, 10% tint front, 70% tint on windshield Pop-a-Lock tailgate handle Spidertrax wheel spacers Cab mount chop BIG 3 upgrade LED Running Board lights Black LED tail lights (’09 and up style) Black LED 3rd brake WOLO Air Horn Interior: Kenwood excelon DDX9703S 2 JL 10W1V3-4 10'' subs Alpine type-R component speakers in front Alpine type-S component speakers in rear Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp Weather Tech laser cut floor mats Cobra radar wired in Viper 5704 alarm w/ auto start & added glass break sensor and tilt sensor
    the way i installed mine, all the connectors are inside of the cab. the LED strips have a 6 Ft wire running from them so i had plenty of wire to run into the cab. the part where the wire runs into the LED strip is sealed and appears to be very water tight. i havent driven it in rain yet but they look very well build.

    this is the exact one i bought:

    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JUE9OLM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1
     
  4. Jan 31, 2017 at 5:57 AM
    #4
    realBIG

    realBIG Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2015
    Member:
    #158615
    Messages:
    46
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    R.B.
    Greenville, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 MGM Tacoma TRD Sport DCLB
    Did you still use the switch to be able to turn on/off whenever you like?
     
  5. Feb 1, 2017 at 7:13 AM
    #5
    awebber3

    awebber3 [OP] TacoTacoTaco

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Member:
    #127383
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    '07 DCSB Prerunner 3" lift
    Exterior: MBRP catback dual exhaust Smittybilt N-fab nerf bars Bilstein 5100 shocks & struts OME 885 & add-a-leaf Ballistic Jester 17" 265/70r/17 Nitto Terrra Grappler 5500K Retrofit Headlights (Mini D2S Stage III) Black badges, Black bull bar w/ LED Pods Satoshi Grill mod K&N air filter Tri-Fold bed cover Rearview camera EGR in-channel rain guards 10% tint rear, 10% tint front, 70% tint on windshield Pop-a-Lock tailgate handle Spidertrax wheel spacers Cab mount chop BIG 3 upgrade LED Running Board lights Black LED tail lights (’09 and up style) Black LED 3rd brake WOLO Air Horn Interior: Kenwood excelon DDX9703S 2 JL 10W1V3-4 10'' subs Alpine type-R component speakers in front Alpine type-S component speakers in rear Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp Weather Tech laser cut floor mats Cobra radar wired in Viper 5704 alarm w/ auto start & added glass break sensor and tilt sensor
    Yeah I kept the switch on it. I thought about cutting it off, but instead I just hid it behind the A-pillar, which ended up being a smart choice. Yesterday I wripped out all my interior and carpet and put dynamat throughout so I removed the A-pillar and turned the led's off so it wouldn't drain the battery going in and out of the truck.
     
  6. Feb 1, 2017 at 7:19 AM
    #6
    realBIG

    realBIG Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2015
    Member:
    #158615
    Messages:
    46
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    R.B.
    Greenville, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 MGM Tacoma TRD Sport DCLB
    So you just ran the ground wire from the switch to the the dome light wire?
     
  7. Feb 1, 2017 at 8:13 AM
    #7
    awebber3

    awebber3 [OP] TacoTacoTaco

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Member:
    #127383
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    '07 DCSB Prerunner 3" lift
    Exterior: MBRP catback dual exhaust Smittybilt N-fab nerf bars Bilstein 5100 shocks & struts OME 885 & add-a-leaf Ballistic Jester 17" 265/70r/17 Nitto Terrra Grappler 5500K Retrofit Headlights (Mini D2S Stage III) Black badges, Black bull bar w/ LED Pods Satoshi Grill mod K&N air filter Tri-Fold bed cover Rearview camera EGR in-channel rain guards 10% tint rear, 10% tint front, 70% tint on windshield Pop-a-Lock tailgate handle Spidertrax wheel spacers Cab mount chop BIG 3 upgrade LED Running Board lights Black LED tail lights (’09 and up style) Black LED 3rd brake WOLO Air Horn Interior: Kenwood excelon DDX9703S 2 JL 10W1V3-4 10'' subs Alpine type-R component speakers in front Alpine type-S component speakers in rear Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp Weather Tech laser cut floor mats Cobra radar wired in Viper 5704 alarm w/ auto start & added glass break sensor and tilt sensor
    Yes. The kit already had the switch built in, so all I did was splice into the blue dome light trigger wire with the led's ground wire. Then the power wire was spliced into the white wire that delivers a constant 12v power. When I get a chance I'll take a picture of it and upload it
     
  8. Feb 1, 2017 at 9:09 AM
    #8
    realBIG

    realBIG Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2015
    Member:
    #158615
    Messages:
    46
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    R.B.
    Greenville, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 MGM Tacoma TRD Sport DCLB
    That would be great, appreciate the help.
     
  9. Feb 1, 2017 at 9:54 AM
    #9
    tntacomaguy

    tntacomaguy Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2015
    Member:
    #149703
    Messages:
    1,506
    Gender:
    Male
    Interesting... I've been thinking about doing something similar. Want it to tap into dome light so it comes on when unlocking and opening doors. Saved the Amazon link until I can scrape some money together
     
  10. Feb 6, 2017 at 8:56 PM
    #10
    awebber3

    awebber3 [OP] TacoTacoTaco

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Member:
    #127383
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    '07 DCSB Prerunner 3" lift
    Exterior: MBRP catback dual exhaust Smittybilt N-fab nerf bars Bilstein 5100 shocks & struts OME 885 & add-a-leaf Ballistic Jester 17" 265/70r/17 Nitto Terrra Grappler 5500K Retrofit Headlights (Mini D2S Stage III) Black badges, Black bull bar w/ LED Pods Satoshi Grill mod K&N air filter Tri-Fold bed cover Rearview camera EGR in-channel rain guards 10% tint rear, 10% tint front, 70% tint on windshield Pop-a-Lock tailgate handle Spidertrax wheel spacers Cab mount chop BIG 3 upgrade LED Running Board lights Black LED tail lights (’09 and up style) Black LED 3rd brake WOLO Air Horn Interior: Kenwood excelon DDX9703S 2 JL 10W1V3-4 10'' subs Alpine type-R component speakers in front Alpine type-S component speakers in rear Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp Weather Tech laser cut floor mats Cobra radar wired in Viper 5704 alarm w/ auto start & added glass break sensor and tilt sensor
    sorry for the wait, work has been nuts... everyone seems to want to go to jail this month lol

    20170206_134304.jpg 20170206_134313.jpg 20170206_134325.jpg 20170206_134335.jpg
     
  11. Feb 7, 2017 at 9:54 PM
    #11
    ZFlyingTaco

    ZFlyingTaco Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2016
    Member:
    #194748
    Messages:
    35
    Gender:
    Male
    CA
    Vehicle:
    '15 TURD Sport 4x4
    Pelfreybilt sliders BFG tires ProComp wheels Diff breather Lights
    Looks good
     
  12. Mar 10, 2017 at 11:29 AM
    #12
    stealthmode

    stealthmode Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2014
    Member:
    #143869
    Messages:
    2,399
    Gender:
    Male
    Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2016 Short N Stubby Bed- MGM
    Front and Rear lifts Tires ECGS bushing Lots of other crap +HP sticker
    Nice. Looks simple and fast enough OP. Thanks.
    Is the video linked in first post yours (do the lights have a sort of animation effect when on/off)?


     
  13. Mar 10, 2017 at 2:12 PM
    #13
    awebber3

    awebber3 [OP] TacoTacoTaco

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Member:
    #127383
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    '07 DCSB Prerunner 3" lift
    Exterior: MBRP catback dual exhaust Smittybilt N-fab nerf bars Bilstein 5100 shocks & struts OME 885 & add-a-leaf Ballistic Jester 17" 265/70r/17 Nitto Terrra Grappler 5500K Retrofit Headlights (Mini D2S Stage III) Black badges, Black bull bar w/ LED Pods Satoshi Grill mod K&N air filter Tri-Fold bed cover Rearview camera EGR in-channel rain guards 10% tint rear, 10% tint front, 70% tint on windshield Pop-a-Lock tailgate handle Spidertrax wheel spacers Cab mount chop BIG 3 upgrade LED Running Board lights Black LED tail lights (’09 and up style) Black LED 3rd brake WOLO Air Horn Interior: Kenwood excelon DDX9703S 2 JL 10W1V3-4 10'' subs Alpine type-R component speakers in front Alpine type-S component speakers in rear Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp Weather Tech laser cut floor mats Cobra radar wired in Viper 5704 alarm w/ auto start & added glass break sensor and tilt sensor
    Yeah the video is of my truck. There is no animation built into the lights. The running board lights work the same way as the interior dome light, they slowly get brighter and then slowly dim until off.
     
  14. Mar 28, 2020 at 9:25 AM
    #14
    Porroquio

    Porroquio IG: @porroquio

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2020
    Member:
    #319041
    Messages:
    57
    Gender:
    Male
    Miami, FL
    Vehicle:
    2016 Magnetic Gray Tacoma SR5
    Hi! I am trying to do this same install, but under my driver's side A pillar I can't find any blue or white wire, please help!!
    I have a 2016 SR5 TACOMA

    IMG-20200209-WA0010.jpg
     
  15. Mar 28, 2020 at 9:36 AM
    #15
    awebber3

    awebber3 [OP] TacoTacoTaco

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Member:
    #127383
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    '07 DCSB Prerunner 3" lift
    Exterior: MBRP catback dual exhaust Smittybilt N-fab nerf bars Bilstein 5100 shocks & struts OME 885 & add-a-leaf Ballistic Jester 17" 265/70r/17 Nitto Terrra Grappler 5500K Retrofit Headlights (Mini D2S Stage III) Black badges, Black bull bar w/ LED Pods Satoshi Grill mod K&N air filter Tri-Fold bed cover Rearview camera EGR in-channel rain guards 10% tint rear, 10% tint front, 70% tint on windshield Pop-a-Lock tailgate handle Spidertrax wheel spacers Cab mount chop BIG 3 upgrade LED Running Board lights Black LED tail lights (’09 and up style) Black LED 3rd brake WOLO Air Horn Interior: Kenwood excelon DDX9703S 2 JL 10W1V3-4 10'' subs Alpine type-R component speakers in front Alpine type-S component speakers in rear Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp Weather Tech laser cut floor mats Cobra radar wired in Viper 5704 alarm w/ auto start & added glass break sensor and tilt sensor
    I'm not sure what color the wires will be on the 3rd gen Tacoma bro. If I were you I'd refer to the owner's manual or try to find a wiring diagram online to tell you what each wire is. That's is your best and easiest route.
     
    Porroquio[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. Mar 28, 2020 at 10:25 AM
    #16
    Porroquio

    Porroquio IG: @porroquio

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2020
    Member:
    #319041
    Messages:
    57
    Gender:
    Male
    Miami, FL
    Vehicle:
    2016 Magnetic Gray Tacoma SR5
    Thanks for your answer, I've been searching for the answer for more than 2 months now. Maybe I'm not looking where I should. Every post I have seen talks about a yellow and blue wire.

    I checked I few wiring diagrams but they are too complicated, I'll check again.
     
  17. Mar 28, 2020 at 12:22 PM
    #17
    awebber3

    awebber3 [OP] TacoTacoTaco

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Member:
    #127383
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    '07 DCSB Prerunner 3" lift
    Exterior: MBRP catback dual exhaust Smittybilt N-fab nerf bars Bilstein 5100 shocks & struts OME 885 & add-a-leaf Ballistic Jester 17" 265/70r/17 Nitto Terrra Grappler 5500K Retrofit Headlights (Mini D2S Stage III) Black badges, Black bull bar w/ LED Pods Satoshi Grill mod K&N air filter Tri-Fold bed cover Rearview camera EGR in-channel rain guards 10% tint rear, 10% tint front, 70% tint on windshield Pop-a-Lock tailgate handle Spidertrax wheel spacers Cab mount chop BIG 3 upgrade LED Running Board lights Black LED tail lights (’09 and up style) Black LED 3rd brake WOLO Air Horn Interior: Kenwood excelon DDX9703S 2 JL 10W1V3-4 10'' subs Alpine type-R component speakers in front Alpine type-S component speakers in rear Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp Weather Tech laser cut floor mats Cobra radar wired in Viper 5704 alarm w/ auto start & added glass break sensor and tilt sensor
    I'll do some searching and see if I can find the answer for you bud
     
  18. Mar 28, 2020 at 12:38 PM
    #18
    awebber3

    awebber3 [OP] TacoTacoTaco

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2014
    Member:
    #127383
    Messages:
    83
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andrew
    Charlotte, NC
    Vehicle:
    '07 DCSB Prerunner 3" lift
    Exterior: MBRP catback dual exhaust Smittybilt N-fab nerf bars Bilstein 5100 shocks & struts OME 885 & add-a-leaf Ballistic Jester 17" 265/70r/17 Nitto Terrra Grappler 5500K Retrofit Headlights (Mini D2S Stage III) Black badges, Black bull bar w/ LED Pods Satoshi Grill mod K&N air filter Tri-Fold bed cover Rearview camera EGR in-channel rain guards 10% tint rear, 10% tint front, 70% tint on windshield Pop-a-Lock tailgate handle Spidertrax wheel spacers Cab mount chop BIG 3 upgrade LED Running Board lights Black LED tail lights (’09 and up style) Black LED 3rd brake WOLO Air Horn Interior: Kenwood excelon DDX9703S 2 JL 10W1V3-4 10'' subs Alpine type-R component speakers in front Alpine type-S component speakers in rear Kenwood Excelon XR900-5 amp Weather Tech laser cut floor mats Cobra radar wired in Viper 5704 alarm w/ auto start & added glass break sensor and tilt sensor

    the wire at 19 will splice into the power wire on the running board lights. the wire at 11 will splice into the negative/ground wire on the running board lights.

    [​IMG]
     

Products Discussed in

To Top