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License plate light Disable while In Reverse (DIR)

Discussion in '3rd Gen Tacoma Parts Marketplace (2016-2023)' started by daveeasa, Feb 11, 2021.

  1. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:03 AM
    #1
    daveeasa

    daveeasa [OP] FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

    Joined:
    May 14, 2020
    Member:
    #328079
    Messages:
    6,733
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma OR DCSB 6MT, 2005 RC 5MT PreRunner, 2002 Tundra SR5 RCLB 4x4
    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.

    2EB1589F-88F4-4577-8379-9014FFF51627.jpg

    Backup camera with license plate lights on (DD HP3 5000K)
    plate_lights_on.jpg
    Same view with mod engaged while in reverse
    plate_lights_off.jpg

    Expand the spoiler below to view additional photos from others who have installed this harness.
    Before - Neutral
    tonered_before_neutral.jpg
    Before - Reverse
    tonered_before_reverse.jpg
    After - Neutral
    tonered_after_neutral.jpg
    After - Reverse
    tonered_after_reverse.jpg
    Video of DIR in action at the end of 3rd brake light demo.
    https://youtu.be/4svbQUf7-2k
    Before
    rdvm1972_before.jpg
    After
    rdvm1972_after.jpg
    Before
    ktbell_before.jpg
    After
    ktbell_after.jpg
    Before
    alamo_before.jpg
    After
    alamo_after.jpg

    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
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2023
    LGE RAW, zman6MT, NickyNacks and 30 others like this.
  2. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:03 AM
    #2
    daveeasa

    daveeasa [OP] FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

    Joined:
    May 14, 2020
    Member:
    #328079
    Messages:
    6,733
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma OR DCSB 6MT, 2005 RC 5MT PreRunner, 2002 Tundra SR5 RCLB 4x4
    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.
     
    Last edited: Jan 7, 2022
  3. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:03 AM
    #3
    daveeasa

    daveeasa [OP] FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

    Joined:
    May 14, 2020
    Member:
    #328079
    Messages:
    6,733
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma OR DCSB 6MT, 2005 RC 5MT PreRunner, 2002 Tundra SR5 RCLB 4x4
    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.

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    Last edited: Jan 25, 2022
  4. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:03 AM
    #4
    daveeasa

    daveeasa [OP] FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

    Joined:
    May 14, 2020
    Member:
    #328079
    Messages:
    6,733
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma OR DCSB 6MT, 2005 RC 5MT PreRunner, 2002 Tundra SR5 RCLB 4x4
    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.
    relay_mounting.jpg
    harness.jpg
    license_plate_light_tee.jpg
    brightness_night.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2022
  5. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:03 AM
    #5
    daveeasa

    daveeasa [OP] FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

    Joined:
    May 14, 2020
    Member:
    #328079
    Messages:
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma OR DCSB 6MT, 2005 RC 5MT PreRunner, 2002 Tundra SR5 RCLB 4x4
    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.
     
    Last edited: Apr 13, 2021
  6. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:04 AM
    #6
    Chunk

    Chunk I smell Ice Cream!

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    Matt
    Aiken, SC
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    Baby Ruth
    ... I just got rid of the License Plate lights! :anonymous:
     
  7. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:05 AM
    #7
    304_Taco

    304_Taco Well-Known Member

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    In!.. again :anonymous:
     
  8. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:34 AM
    #8
    Khoadattran

    Khoadattran Well-Known Member

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    Also in again
     
  9. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:43 AM
    #9
    19trdoffroad

    19trdoffroad Well-Known Member

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    Wasco, CA
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    Make a video!
     
    JRLYON likes this.
  10. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:58 AM
    #10
    stiles88

    stiles88 Well-Known Member

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  11. Feb 11, 2021 at 2:23 PM
    #11
    19QUICKSANDTACOTRD

    19QUICKSANDTACOTRD OUTLIER

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    Please add me. I’m in for one.
     
  12. Feb 11, 2021 at 7:07 PM
    #12
    playdixie

    playdixie Miss'ippi fella

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    Sign me up please.
     
  13. Feb 11, 2021 at 11:03 PM
    #13
    ixnay

    ixnay Well-Known Member

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  14. Feb 13, 2021 at 10:17 PM
    #14
    brkncly

    brkncly Well-Known Member

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    For those of us that our on the pre-order list, how will we know ours is ready?
     
  15. Feb 14, 2021 at 5:33 AM
    #15
    Cement_trk

    Cement_trk Member

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    Are you still taking pre orders ?
     
  16. Feb 14, 2021 at 7:00 AM
    #16
    daveeasa

    daveeasa [OP] FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

    Joined:
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    #328079
    Messages:
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    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma OR DCSB 6MT, 2005 RC 5MT PreRunner, 2002 Tundra SR5 RCLB 4x4
    I will post clear instructions in post #2 as each batch is ready.

    I assumed interest so I added you to the list.
     
  17. Feb 14, 2021 at 9:06 AM
    #17
    Tacodude2020

    Tacodude2020 Well-Known Member

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    Put me down on your list. Thanks.
     
  18. Feb 14, 2021 at 10:08 AM
    #18
    19trdoffroad

    19trdoffroad Well-Known Member

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    19 TRD OR 4x4 MT
  19. Feb 14, 2021 at 10:57 AM
    #19
    RadioTaco

    RadioTaco Well-Known Member

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    SoCal
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    I’m in! Do I pay now or wait until 3 months or so down the road?
     
  20. Feb 14, 2021 at 12:48 PM
    #20
    daveeasa

    daveeasa [OP] FBC Harness Solutions Vendor

    Joined:
    May 14, 2020
    Member:
    #328079
    Messages:
    6,733
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    David
    PNW
    Vehicle:
    2016 Tacoma OR DCSB 6MT, 2005 RC 5MT PreRunner, 2002 Tundra SR5 RCLB 4x4
    Added all 3 of you and updated post 2. No payment until product is ready to ship.
     

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