Tying Rock Lights to Dome Lights

I have a 2020 Gen 3 TRD Pro with a smart key. I know some people don't like the function that causes the dome lights to automatically come on when the key is brought near the door, but I live in a very dark place and find the feature super helpful.

I want to install rock lights under my chassis for general use. Because where I live is not only dark, but also home to lots of nocturnal critters, I would also like to wire those rock lights to come on with the dome lights when I approach the vehicle with the key. The tricky part is, I don't want them to come on when I just turn the dome lights to the "On" position from inside the cab (since I want to be able to turn the domes on while camping without lighting up the whole campground). Basically, here is a list of conditions I'd like to be able to achieve for the rock lights:

• ON when dome lights turn on from me approaching the vehicle
• ON when switched on manually from a switch in the cab
• OFF when dome lights are turned on in the manually and the rock lightswitch in the cab is off.

I've achieved something similar for my raptor lights using a diode and wiring to both my low beams and my DRL relay in the small fusebox under the hood, so I imagine I could achieve something similar here. The sticking point for me is bullet point 3.

I've seen a thread that shows how to wire into the dome lights using the blue and yellow wires inside the A pillar, but I worry that this solution will cause the rock lights to turn on any time the dome lights are turned on.

Can anyone offer any guidance on how to achieve my desired result? Thanks in advance!

 

Bowline and clove hitch are my two favorite and nosed used knots

 

Been wanting to do the same thing for a while now!!

 

Definitely want to do something similar so I’ll be following.

Would doing it this way also turn on the lights when you unlock the car from the key fob? I’d assume so, but would like to know if anybody knows for sure.

 

Just a thought to consider but wouldn't you want these separate? If utilizing rock lights for their intended usage in the dark the interior I would think the interior lights would just impede your vision?

 

Does the cargo light come on when you unlock the truck, but not when using the interior dome light? Might be able to tie them to the cargo light if that’s the case.

 

This is a good question - I will have to do some testing to find out

 

I'm sorry, I think you misunderstood my usage condition. I want a separate switch to manually turn the rock lights on/off for when I need them for normal rock light usage, and I want them to come on automatically when I approach the vehicle (as the dome lights do). I do not want the rock lights to turn on by turning on the dome lights using the dome light switch in the cab.

 

This is probably your best bet, the cargo light/bed lights (if you have them) come on with the cargo light switch in the cab and every time it is unlocked with the fob/handle. Although they don't come on with the dome lights when you walk up to the truck and it senses the key.

 

My mistake. I now understand what you are looking for. Good luck finding the solution!

 

I thought this would do what you want?

https://dsimsolutions.com/products/domerock-v4

 

This might be the solution! Although it seems like it might still turn the rock lights on any time you turn the dome lights on manually?

 

I watched a video on YouTube on how to wire rocker lights to a relay and a rocker switch and come on when the doors are open/dome lights come one. I can’t get my rocker lights to come on with the dome. They do switch on.

 

Bowlines with a bite make it easier to untie lines that are under tension or for those that have gotten wet.

 

I have mine tied into the dome light and also have a switch. With the dome/bed light switch set to on when the doors open, the rock lights come on when any door opens. The switch will turn them on anytime.

It's been a while, but I'm almost positive this is where I picked up my kit. --

https://dsimsolutions.com/pages/rock-light-harness-bundles

 

I have switch wiring but no switch on my SR5. I bought a rocker switch for my bed lights that are just on and off and did not connect to the wiring that was there. I watched a video that the guy wired a relay and new switch to the blue and yellow wires in the A pillar. I read some where were some people have gotten that way to work and others say they bought a capacitor. So since I bought everything already I was hoping that it would be something simple I’m needing or missing and not have to buy a kit.