How durable are the OEM bed lights? Are they useful when not using a cover?

My 2023 comes in next week with the only option which is the bed lights($170 non negotiable would take every single thing off that was added EXCEPT the bed lights for some reason) Now I get some 18 year old dealer employee taking my brakelights apart to install and overpay on some bed lights I will never use because I do not want a cover and I put bricks and dirt in the bed of my truck constantly. How durable are these things? anyone ever broken one? i got every single added dealer fee and "extra" off but these and I regret it lol.

Also i heard it is wired up to the top cargo light/3rd brake light above the bed, if i have that light off(or on door open only) does it also effect the bed lights? As in if I keep the main bedlight off mostly because i dont like lighting up my truck at night when i park, will it also keep the bedlights off? thanks.

 

I ordered a set from Amazon and installed them myself. They are useful for me when loading and unloading stuff from the bed after it gets dark and are plenty bright. It'll be even more useful in the winter months when it gets darker sooner. They are as durable as any other lights with plastic lens. Just don't bang up on them and protect it if you have something heavy or sharp that can hit them.

 

Take them out and replace the light with the hole filler Toyota uses

 

I got mine off Amazon,like 30 bucks..there probably not going to last long with bricks..

 

Sucks, i tried to ask the dealer to not install them and just give them to me they also said no, no idea why they are so adamant about these damn lights lol they have been awesome with almost everything else so far besides these dumb ass lights. But when does a fucking dealer do anything that makes sense besides for $?

 

I think you will be okay, considering the Tacoma isn't going to have the weight capacity to haul bricks or dirt piled high enough to reach the lights. Of course if you threw stuff directly at them, they will break.
They are defiantly nice to have, I wish my 2019 had the prewiring for them, but since I added a Decked system that would probably partially block them, I went with lights above on my topper.

GL