Anyone replace their Cargo Light [LED] Bulbs?

How difficult would it be to replace the OEM Cargo LED Bulbs in a 2021 DC? I would like to swap them out for something brighter with greater intensity. Strictly as a safety improvement for nighttime operation, they could supplement the truck's reverse lights when backing up, and also help the occasional tailgater see better by illuminating the road from ahead.

 

Following… agreed factory ones don’t do anything

 

You have to pull down headliner. It a pain in the ass.

 

I got the factory LED’s with my 2021. But, I also installed the OEM Bedlights(super easy). And my bed is plenty bright.
inside the bed:



Interior view:



These are the ones that I bought;

$60 Toyota Genuine 2020 & Newer Tacoma Led Bed Light/Lighting Kit PT857-35200

https://www.amazon.com/TOYOTA-Genui...s=tacoma+oem+bed+lights&qid=1677203254&sr=8-3

 

They aren’t bulbs….they’re chips soldered to a circuit board. You’d have to go with an aftermarket type of housing instead or disassemble the factory one and solder in something brighter.

I’d say your efforts are better invested in adding supplemental lighting at the bumper, either recessed in or bolted underneath. Or get something like the Meso hitchpod, I have one of those for sale.

I would not suggest flashing them at tailgaters, it’s a liability. If they wreck into something because of that, it could be a problem for you.

 

Bed lights for illuminating the bed. Brighter reverse lights for reversing.

Don't install fuck-you lights. Don't be that guy. It doesn't teach lessons, it just starts fights.

 

"help the occasional tailgater"--only if you want to go to court.

 

Tailgaters are probably aggressive, or oblivious, and may have a weapon. Just let them by in my opinion.

 

You're right.

 

I installed a replacement LED unit which was a PITA to do - but I like it.

$53 Led Third Brake Light Replacement for 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 To-yota Tacoma SR SR5 TRD Pickup Trucks Strobe Led 3rd Brake Center High Mount Stop Lamp White Cargo Light Kit Smoked Lens

Led Third Brake Light Replacement for 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 To-yota Tacoma Limited SR SR5 TRD Pickup Trucks Strobe Led 3rd Brake Center High Mount Stop Lamp White Cargo Light Kit Smoked Lens (amazon.com)

I would say though most bang for the buck in illuminating the bed is the optional LED's that install in the rear as someone else posted above. I have them and they are indeed perfect for their intended use.

 

Well, shit

X2

 

I bought a set of the knockoffs of the OEM bed lights from Amazon for like $25. Easy install and they've been in there since October without any issues. They're far more useful than bright can mounted bed lights IMO because if you have a tonneau cover, the cab mounted ones do nothing.

 

I’m guessing most are missing the fact that he said he wanted to use them as additional backup lights.

 

get led lic plate lights too

 

That request makes zero sense, to be honest. Either point the lights into the bed or point them behind the vehicle. Those zones do not overlap. Attempting to overlap those zones only results in a light that both blinds the poor bastard standing at the tailgate AND casts an unusable shadow behind the tailgate. It's cheaper, easier, and more effective to upgrade both zones separately.

 

I agree, I wouldn’t ever use the cargo lights for reverse, but my point was people suggesting getting bed lights are not providing anything that will help the OP achieve his goal, as he isn’t trying to light up his bed.

 

Ya know, you're absolutely right on that point.

I'd start by putting higher wattage bulbs in the reverse socket. Failing that, cube lights on a relay that's triggered by the reverse wire.

 

Same. Lights in the bumper was my solution. I do have brighter bulbs in the housing via my tail light conversion kit but they weren’t enough improvement for my desires - so I recessed some rigids in the bumper. Couldn’t ask for more light now.

 

For reverse lighting you can easily swap out the factory bulbs for brighter LEDs. I ran some super bright ones from Diode Dynamics for a while before replacing them with the Meso Customs Total Tailight kit. If you need more distance illumination, then I'd say rear mounted pods on a switch might be a good route (nevermind my current plans to try to mount an entire light bar in the rear...)

 

I upgraded to the morimoto third brake light waiting for it's arrival