05+ DRL (Daytime Running Lights) Install OEM

I also have the loaded truck, and I have the JBL with bluetooth (finally, true hands-free phone!). I have only one blank switch filler plate and was thinking about mounting multiple rocker switches in it, if I can find some that are slim enough. AutoZone has some lighted rockers that may be short/narrow enough to mount horizontally and get at least 2 on it. I figure DRL's and any-time fogs would go there.

I want to light up all of the cup holders too, and with the 6 speed stick, those between the gear shift and the console box get mighty dark at night.

Planned mods are to change out the dome and map lights so that they are usable when driving with kids, etc. A friend of mine told me about a place in Hong Kong where you can get the ultra bright LEDs for about everything, and they are much cheaper than the local places. Also, no shipping. http://www.dealextreme.com/products.dx/category.702

Hope it's ok to post the link here, if it's not, let me know and I will remove it.

--->Rob

 

I saw a DC this morning with the amber lights on this morning, right about twilight. Talk about standing out in the dark!

Very sharp looking!

--->Rob

 

Hey Rob,
Welcome to TacomaWorld. Here is a link discussing LED lights. I paid about $17 for a patch with 48 white LED lights for my dome light. Here is the link to the eBay auction.
I guess I could've saved $7 with the link you posted. HERE they are for $10 shipped.

I did not do the map lights as I think they are more usable stock. The LED is a brighter light with a great hue but it does make it hard to read fine print. Anyway, I am very happy with my LED dome light.


I am still in the market for a rocker switch to use for my DTRL that will look stock. Space is not an issue but I would like it to be backlit like my other switches.

I know it is bright with the inner amber lights on. I think it will look great on my truck but still want the option to turn them off. If I am stalking someone, I don't want to be seen

Good post...rep for you

 

Thanks for the link. Very easy to do when you install the mod even if you just stub out the wire for later use if desired. I can't imagine a need for ever needing to turn them off, but nice knowing how to do it if needed.

 

One of the things I was thinking of was finding a way to put amber or red lights in the dome, as well as the whites. Sometimes all you need is to brighten things up a bit to find something you dropped, and you don't want to kill your night vision. I agree that sometimes too bright can also be a problem. Although I haven't taken the cover off of this truck, in the past, there was always plenty of room for doing something like this in the older trucks. I might be able to put a small slide switch on the back side of the clear lens.

Yeah, I hear ya. I would like to be able to see it at night, even when it's off. The backlit switches are hard to find, or at least I am looking in the wrong places. One of the things Toy did that chaps me is the fog light switch. Yes, it is backlit so you can find it, but it doesn't actually light up when the fogs are on. Yes, it can be a problem sometimes, I sometimes have to turn them off to realize they were on. The other thing they did that chaps me is the 4x4 selector - that mod is on the radar.

With regards to the multiple switches, I would like to get them in there so that they are all in one place. If I have 2 or 3 mounted in an existing blank, I should be able to pop the blank out, install the switches, and then only have to push a pigtail back through the dash to install them. Just seems to be easier than having to crawl under the dash. Maybe the change holder on the under part of the dash on the left side

Yep, I like sneakin and peekin too

Something I miss from an 81 Celica I had: The cruise control had two indicators; one for power to tell you that the cruise system was powered up, but also an indicator on the dash cluster that told you the cruise was engaged. I looked at the schematics and it looks like it would require a small circuit to detect a specific voltage range from the resistor ladder coming from the Set switch. Has anyone played with this yet?

Thanks all,

--->Rob

 

Done this mod yesterday, took about 20 minutes total. Very simple thanks to this sticky. Much appreciated.

 

I just called my dealer and ordered the flasher/cable and the relay for this mod on my '09. The parts guy even called me back and asked what I was doing, and after I explained, he said they get an occasional parts. He said it *does* work on the '09's. I'll let you know when the parts come in. Has anyone bothered to trace out the flasher cable to see why it's so expensive? This is a 12V part, not sure why it's $35-$40 unless it's just because of being a dealer-only part.

I hope no one considers the next part of my post a hi-jack on this thread, it's not meant to be. Since it seems that most of these electrical mods need relays, I started checking my old haunts and found a place that has the relays for $2.40 each or $2.00 each, if you buy 10. They also have sockets with pigtails for them for $2.00 each or $1.50 each if you buy 10 or more..They are 30A/40A depending on if it is the NO or NC configuration. When I saw these at AutoZone and Checkers, they wanted $10 each.

Also, they had some of the small, round, lighted rocker switches for $2.20 each, in red or green. They also have the heavy duty pin switches for $0.75 each.

The best thing I found was a keyless remote control, with two remotes, for $18.75. I bought two of them. Not sure what I will use them for but I'm sure now that I have them in hand, I will find some way to use them

Don't get me wrong, I don't work for this company, and don't know anyone there, but I have bought boat loads of stuff from them over the past decade or more and have had good luck. They have a good assortment of LED's, switches, etc. Their prices are good, and the quality is usually as good or better than I can get from local sources.

Anyway, if this sounds too much like an add for the company, please edit or delete it as appropriate. It's not intended to but I know how crazy a person can get and start spending money on the essentials, maybe this can help keep the costs down.

--->Rob

 

I have someone installing this for me as I am not very knowledgable about wiring, amps, volts, fuses, etc.

Anyway, I want to add a switch to my dash to turn these on/off. I would like it to be a lighted switch and to fit it into one of my blanks next to my fog switch. Are these the same size or do I need to dremel it in?

Looking at their list, which one do I want?
Is THIS ONE correct?

Also, at $7 in shipping - it may be safer to purchase one from Radio Shack for $.50 more.

 

I found a switch similar to the one you linked to, it appears to be the same size, but not exactly like, and took some pics of it held up against the blank so you could see it for comparison.

Here are the pics I took holding that switch up to the blank next the OEM fog switch.

​

From what I can see, it appears you need to hog out a hole for it to fit. From the pics I have seen here and elsewhere, it appears the blank really isn't as simple as a blank plug, but rather a blank face for the connected cable of the wiring harness on the back side. I have not popped mine out yet, although, that time might be coming soon I was thinking about buying a second OEM fog switch for my true, amber fog lights that are bought but not yet installed.

I'm not sure if this is what you were looking for but I hope it helps.

--->Rob

 

I think you really need to pop the blank out to get a good idea of what you are dealing with. I had a few of the blanks pop out while installing DRL's and I don't recall them being that complicated.

 

This is one of the three wires coming out of the white connector, correct?

I got the blinker and the cable assy today. When I hear back, I will splice in a switch and install it.

Thanks,

--->Rob

 

Hehehe, thanks for the write up 007. I installed the new blinker and cable, and spliced a rocker switch into the appropriate wire you called out. It works great!

Now I need ot find a place to mount the switch. Was thinking along the bottom of the front side of the console, or on the side of the console next to the driver's leg. The only problem is that the wire you splice in to either does not have the full voltage swing or does not supply enough current to power the LED in the switches I am using. The LED barely glows when on, so I will have to take some voltage readings and see what I can do. I would hate to have to use a relay to turn it on and off to make the switch LED work.

Between the OEM DRL's and the hood scoop driving lights, it makes the folks that are still asleep get out of the way in the mornings

--->Rob

 

Did this on my '09, I couldn't believe how many components were plugged in, it was hard to get my fingers behind that relay box. The hardest part was removing the two gray caps/covers. I damn near had to break them to get them out. When I was about to reassemble the electronics it looked like my truck was going through surgery. Everything connected and now my DRL look sweet.

 

OK, quick question...

How the hell do you remove the old flasher relay? I don't see how it unclips.

 

I think I just used a screw driver and pryed it up. I did so with the blank gray cover also. Both on mine popped up easiily.

Rick

 

Another successful install.

Yup, the plug just needed some force. Thanks.

 

I installed the recommended parts on my '09 Access a few months ago. I noticed the other day while waiting for my wife the DRL still on in the reflection in the store window. It was in Park with the engine running. I stepped on the parking brake and they remained on. I thought they were supposed to go out. I also noticed that the inner ring of red led lights in my tail lights are on with the DRL. Is this normal or just normal for the '09's? It is not a big deal but it would appear that these lights stay on as long as the engine is running.

Rick

 

09 double cab...mine come on when the engine starts. I too thought they were to only come on when in drive but I was wrong. I'm not sure about the tail lights...I'll have to check. I was hoping the tail lights would not come on with the DRL.

I'm happy with them regardless. I used to run my parking lights all the time but hated how it dimmed everything in the cab. It looks good with the inner ambers lit up.

EDIT...I just checked and my tails do not appear to light up (though it was light out). And I also verified that the fronts light as soon as the engine is running. They are not on when in ACC.

 

After running the DRL's for a month or so, I would be interested to know if others have noticed the inside of the bulb compartment changing colors... I have noticed things beginning to become more colored than the clear they were before.

--->Rob

 

DRL's mod went like a charm for a 09 dbl cab. 40 minutes and its done! As for the flasher relay, just take a flat head screwdriver lay it on one of the blue circuit breakers and twist. Thanks 007