Factory reverse lights on a switch DIY

So, I did one mod over the holiday weekend. I got a new Pelfreybilt rear bumper and have 2 Baja Designs S2 Pros I plan to use as reverse lights, as well as for general lighting when working behind the truck or camping.

Anyways, I wanted the lights to all come on in reverse, as well as when I pushed the switch. I also wanted a mod to turn on the rear-view camera while driving, to check on the hitch (if I am towing). I did not want to have to trigger the lights independently every time I backed up, but also did not want them ONLY to come on in reverse.

AS ALWAYS, I DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, IF IT CAUSES ANY DAMAGE, OR IF YOU CAUSE ANY DAMAGE. I ONLY TESTED THIS AND VERIFIED FUNCTION ON MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE INSTRUCTIONS WERE TAILORED USING INFORMATION FROM THE TOYOTA EWD. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

That said this should work for all transmissions, engines, and drive configurations.

First, find the under hood fuse box. This should be easy. If not, stop now!

I’m pointing at the wire connected to my Switch-Pros.



Then, find the EA1 connector. It’s the white one closest to the front and passenger side of the truck.



Then, tap a wire. I used some red wire I had laying around, and a 3M t-tap. These things are my favorite way to tap a wire. Use whatever method you like.



IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC AND WANT TO ENERGIZE THE RELAY COIL, tap into pin 5, the red wire with the red arrow in my sketch. If you do this, do NOT attach any other devices or lights to the wire you are adding (other than a switch connected to battery voltage) or else you may damage your vehicle in a very extenuating circumstance. The benefit of this route is that you do not need a relay of your own. This method energizes the low current side of the factory reverse light relay.

IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC AND WANT TO ENERGIZE THE REVERSE LIGHTS DIRECTLY, tap into pin 7, the red wire with the green arrow in my sketch (mine is purple, 6MT is a different color on the same pin). You will need to add your own relay and/or switch capable of handling the full amperage required by the circuit (fused at 15A). This method energizes the high current side of the factory reverse light relay.

IF YOU HAVE A MANUAL your choice is easy. You have no relay. Tap into pin 5 (red), 7 (purple), or 12 (purple) (any of the 3 arrows in my sketch). They are all bussed together inside the fuse block anyways. I chose pin 12 because it was closest to the wire exit point and thus the neatest. As with automatic above, you will need to add your own relay and/or switch capable of handling the full amperage required by the circuit (fused at 7.5A this time).



Then, route your wire out of the fuse block area and to the relay/switch of your choosing. There are a few pass through points, all you need to do is stuff the wire through, and there is plenty of room. If there is tape in your way, just use a coat hanger or screwdriver or something to help the wire find it’s way through. The wire is running through a plastic wire funnel thing. It should pop out the bottom passenger side of the fuse block alongside the factory harness. This is how I did mine. I did my best to maintain a near-factory and very clean install.



Connect this wire to your relay and/or switch you chose earlier. Supplying +12V to this wire will energize the circuit and turn on your reverse lights. I connected mine to my Switch-Pros.

All that is left is splicing in your reverse lights of choice to the RED wire going to the reverse lights at the back of the truck (behind the tail lights).

Enjoy this mod and I welcome any feedback you all may have!

 

I did a mod like this on my 4Runner for the bumper lights. Would love to see the details of how you wired the switches. Did you use a relay? Etc, etc.

 

Would be interested! I have the anytime backup/front camera but I do plan on doing the same for my reverse lights/BD LEDs lights so I would definitely be interested. 2017 TRD OR DCSB AT

 

Interested! 5 speed here though...

 

I have Switch-Pros. But, the mod only uses 0.5A of current (plus whatever lights you add) so any fused relay or switch would work that can handle that current!

The mod works the same for auto, just a different wire! Didn't get to try because I have a 6MT and the EWD was different for an auto.

You can be the guinea pig!

 

Look forward to your write up then!!!!

 

I'm doing the same thing, activating my S2's at anytime off switch pro. But I ran a dedicated wire to the rear just for extra safety measures. Just putting a 5A diode in the back

 

Please send direct to me please

 

Not if I do it first!

What did you diode...?

 

I'll gladly guinea pig for this! (I'm an auto tech/diesel mechanic/emergency vehicle tech by trade so I shouldn't have any issues wiring anything up!)

 

My bajas will have 2 power wires going into them now
1)stock reverse wire
2) my new wire thats activated from switch

Putting a diode on each wire will prevent backfeed to the other. I.e when I shift to reverse it won't feed back to my switch pro, and vise versa.

 

Ah. Well my mod turns everything on all at once! They're all grouped together.

Toyota was generous to provide a 15A fused circuit (7.5A for 6MT, grr), so it can easily handle the S2s.

 

What's everything? Backup camera. Dash "R" display, etc?

 

Reverse camera, factory reverse lights, and whatever you attach to them.

 

Gotcha. Definitely a cool mod. I already had extra circuits ran to the back..so I just used tham. Plus I don't have any reverse lights in my Tail lights..so Baja's are the only ones ties off stock reverse light wire

 

DIY is posted in post 1!

 

Nice write up!!

 

Coming from the lighting mod god, thanks!

 

Little fun fact I just learned. I am attempting to do the same on my FunRunner (4Runner), using my switch-pros panel. After reading the Switch Pros manual AGAIN. I learned the yellow wire can be used as an external trigger. Fork yes.

4.External Trigger Input. This function uses the Yellow light input wire for the trigger input to turn on up to 2 outputs. The function must be enabled in the App. When disabled, the yellow light input wire is still used to turn on the switch panel backlighting. Switch panel backlighting dimming that was previously using the yellow wire is now activated with the blue ignition wire signal, (only if the function is enabled in the App). The blue ignition wire is still connected to an ignition source for the ignition input, but will also turn on the backlighting to the user adjustable level. The yellow wire is connected to the external trigger. It can be a high beam signal, reverse light signal, or a dome light signal to give a few examples. For example, if connected to the high beam signal, when turning on the high beams on the vehicle, up to two outputs of the switch panel will also turn on. The function is enabled in the App, but must also be turned on through the switch panel. The function can be turned on and off through the switch panel to switch between off-road and street driving. To use this function: The Yellow wire must be connected to a trigger source, 12V = On. Enable the function in the App under settings/external trigger setup. Select up to two outputs to turn on.

 

I would have used this for reverse, except I already used it to turn on all my front lighting with my high beams.