2012+ Fog lights

I installed an ebay set of fog lights on my '13 base this weekend. I thought I would point out a couple of things for other '12+ Taco owners who maybe thinking about doing this.

1st thing...check the fuse for the main power lead. Mine had a 30 amp fuse in the holder. While my relay is 40 amps and capable of supporting that much amperage if needed, the wiring on the harness is a mix of 14 and 16 gauge and is not. More importantly, if there is some sort of an issue, it's possible that some of the wiring could melt before the 30 amp fuse pops. A standard H11 bulb is 55 watts and requires nothing more than a 15 amp fuse. So be sure to check this out to help prevent any potential melt-downs.

Secondly...the bezels that come with the kit are not needed. If you look at the back of the OE fog light blank you will notice that the center section, where the lights fit, is removable and is held on by a couple of screws. In fact, you use these screws to secure the lights. Plus, though I didn't really look, I'd say that the OE bezels are of a much higher quality than the AM ones that come with the kit.

And, of course, like all these AM kits, the bulbs are junk and throw crappy light patterns. You can buy new H11 bulbs at Wal-Mart for less than $7 each. Do this. Your lamps will throw better light and the bulbs will last much longer. In my case I spent some $$ on some PIAA Ion Plasma Yellows.

Honestly...there's nothing special about the lamps for the '12+ Taco. Toyota has been using this style for years on countless models...Yaris, Camry, Avalon, xA, Highlander, RAV4....the list goes on. Given that you DO NOT need to purchase bezels and the wiring harness is of the universal variety...I'd say buy whatever kit you can get the best deal on.

Hope this helps.

 

First of all I like your caption, I spend more money every time I go on ebay.

Anyway, I just got an AM set that looks to fit with the tabs inside the bezel for $32 with lightbulbs and harness. The harness was already prewired and it leads up to the blank switch in the dash. I have a simple AM toggle switch that I want to put in there but the end of the wire has a plug on it meant for the toyota switch. I was wondering if you encountered this and figured out what wire goes where.

Also, do you have a product number for the relay and average price to drop on it because I have seen used ones for $10 on ebay and as much as $45 for a new one.

Thanks

 

I just gutted the harness of anything related to the switch. I ran the relay signal wire into the cab and wired it up to an older "OEM" toggle switch. The switch that comes with it is not worth the trouble and the connectors really don't hook to anything as they are basically "universal". The colors may vary a bit from each AM kit, but on mine the signal wire was a smaller 16 gauge yellow wire. However, on my wife's RAV4 kit (basically the same kit as the 12+ Taco), the signal wire was white.

If you are referring to the factory relay...I don't know, as I used the AM relay to power the my lights.

 

Thought I would throw up some pix.