Bed Lights Installed

My SR5 didn't come with them. I want to say they are around a $300 package. $29 through Amazon and 15 minutes worth of work. The rear tail lights on my Tacoma already have the pigtail and it's just sitting inside going nowhere. You do need to remove the tail lights, but that's two bolts - easy. I'll take some pictures tonight but they're bright AF. The bed light switch turns them on/off and they also come on when unlocking and opening the door. The kit comes with the lights and the cables to connect the lights to the pigtails already sitting there behind the tail lights.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R71V38D?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

I just installed a set this past weekend also, a different brand but similar. I did have to pop out the tail lights to plug into the factory harness (maybe just a difference in my 2021 to your 2023?), but still just a 15-20 minute job. I recently put on a soft tri-fold bed cover and couldn't see anything at night without opening it. Probably the best and inexpensive upgrade I've done to any vehicle ever!

https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-...utomotive,80&sr=1-3-spons&smid=A3JQW2O2NXPO8B

 

Now get the Morimoto XB License Plate Lights to match. Easy swap.
https://www.morimotohid.com/Morimoto-Tacoma-Tundra-XB-LED-License-Plate-Lights?quantity=1

 

I have a 22 SR, so I think the harness is already there in the bed? But I don’t have a switch in the cab. Does anyone know if there is a solution I can install that will turn on/off from the bed? Was thinking it’d be nice for camping, but in that case I’d rather not have to open any doors or flip a switch in the cab, so not really interested in trying to find a switch and run wires up to the cab. Thanks.

 

I wonder how much work this would be to install on a 2nd gen. I could REALLY use some lights at night.

 

For the LED's re-mentioned here, are you willing to remove part of the bed? Trace a template,

cut the bed,
sand then insert LED (x2)

 

There's a few options in this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-lights.725262/

Probably easiest just to get a battery powered light and attach it somewhere within reach.

 

You could always use battery powered LED strips. That's what I was thinking of doing until I found out the wiring was already there. https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Powe...d+led+strips+for+truck+bed,aps,90&sr=8-6&th=1

 

2020+ have harnesses in place at the bed light area from the factory, making the install fairly easy. 2019 and older do not, and we need to run a wiring harness from the tail lamp area, to the left floor board area fuse block... what a PITA. I wish one of our resident wiring harness guru's would make a break out harness for the older units. let us use the new lights, less install cost for parts, and our labor time. Ski

 

Me too. Installed step rails and the tri-fold. Boy, it's dark inside that bed with the cover closed. LET THERE BE LIGHT! It is a wonderful mod, and cheap/easy!

 

Thanks, I think this battery-powered is probably the best bet. Just don’t like looking at those blanks, ha.

(sorry for the short hijack OP)

 

Great share. Here’s why it’s so important:

SET charges $319 for those two little bed lights, which is probably $300 in profit.

They will also charge you $200 for the interior LED light upgrade…

Think about it: You add those two items on a Tacoma financed new, and people are literally paying $10 per month over 60mo to finance a handful of spare LED’s.

 

these are a $179 option, I had these taken off of the build sheet (and over $2k of other stuff) and spent $35 for the oem lights and did it myself.....nice and bright

 

Bought the OEM from local dealer. Was a quick and easy install. They are awesome and wish I had in my gen 2.

 

I bought and installed the same today. OEM was very easy. Did have to pop the tail lights off, though.

 

What did you pay for OEM?

 

Heck yeah, looks easy enough. How did you wire them in?

 

Run stranded 18/3 cable (inside loom) from bed to cab (along the vehicle harness) under driver's seat floor plug to door sill cover, behind the driver's kick panel to connector 1E on the cab fuse box. Tapped ground, battery fused power and cab illumination control wire., same wires that control the overhead illumination in the cab. Weatherproof Switch at bed before the LED lights.


P.S. If you add a door switch to the the tailgate in parallel with any of the door(s) switch(s) and leave the added switch (DPST) at door position the bed lights turn ON with the cab illumination, then turn OFF when you close the tailgate. (dim to ON, Dim to OFF feature).

 

Wow very nice install, thanks for all the info!

 

Get'r done...