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Easiest way to wire up auxiliary light(s) in the bed?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by ncyrider, Jan 7, 2021.

  1. Jan 7, 2021 at 1:19 PM
    #1
    ncyrider

    ncyrider [OP] Active Member

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    Picture attached
    I want to get a nice smaller LED auxiliary light (Baja Designs s1/s2) to mount in the front of the truck bed, pointing back. My 2017 came with the Toyota tonneau cover which I never use, so it has the threaded bracket which I realize I can bolt to any of the 6 threaded locations on the bed. I think I want to keep the bracket up front, but I want to know if there are any wires, and where, that I can tap into that will work to power the single auxiliary light.
    For just this light, I prefer not to run wires to the battery and a dash switch if I don't have to. If I can splice into the cargo light (3rd brake light) that might work, otherwise if there is wiring, anywhere on the back half of the truck from the factory, for accessories, that would be perfect.
    my truck doesn't have the bed power outlet, compressor,or anything else...but it does have the towing package with trailer connections.
    Im open to doing a switch in the bed for this light.

    After I do this light, Im thinking I want 2 more Baja Designs s1/s2 amber lights (or similar) on my front bumper (aftermarket) that point down/to each side, to be used sort of as courtesy lights and rock lights. I would want all 3 to run off a dash switch. It would look awesome and be functional for what I do. I just want to limit the amount of wiring I have to do, at least for now. Any ideas please let me know, Im just curious about how I can wire it in.

    20210107_125316.jpg
     
  2. Jan 7, 2021 at 1:39 PM
    #2
    Tacospike

    Tacospike Semi-Unknown Custodial Member

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    Use the trailer connection wires for power
     
  3. Jan 7, 2021 at 2:02 PM
    #3
    vicali

    vicali Touch my camera through the fence

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    This is BD interior light on the back corner; It has it's own switch and is plenty bright;

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    It's wired to an add-a-fuse on the constant 12v empty slot of the interior fuse panel. Super easy.
    I wouldn't want an S1 pointed back at me in there, this one already blinds me half the time..
     
  4. Jan 7, 2021 at 2:32 PM
    #4
    JFanaselle

    JFanaselle Well-Known Member

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    I know the 2020 and newer models have pre-wiring for cargo lights behind the tail light assemblies. I could be mistaken, but I think the 2015 - 2019 models did not, and installing lights in the bed requires a wire run to either tap into the cargo lamp circuit, or to be on a dedicated switch powered by the battery. Here's a video where someone hooks up bed lighting to a 15-19 model, and another thread where someone discussed using the hitch wiring to power lights in the bed:

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...in-to-hitch-wiring-instead-of-battery.649949/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdevX2QwMv0
     
  5. Jan 29, 2021 at 9:59 AM
    #5
    ncyrider

    ncyrider [OP] Active Member

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    If tapping into the hitch wiring, wouldn't the headlights or at least the parking lights need to be turned on to power on any auxiliary light in the truck bed? What about the factory upper truck bed light (3rd brake light), would the switch for that be able to power on an auxiliary light if I get power from the hitch wiring?
    But if I wanted a dash switch for lights I install in the bed, wouldn't it just be better to run wires to the battery for power since I'm already running wires in the left part of the dash?

    Or what about these Add a circuit Taps I found? - picture attached
    For any light I put on the back half of the truck, Would it be easiest to just use one of these fuse taps for power? - fuse box in (left side?) of the dash appropriate, or under the hood?
    And then have a dedicated switch in my panel right there to the left of the steering wheel. For the illuminated CaliRaised switches I have, do those need a power supply and would these fuse taps work for that?

    20210129_093749.jpg
     
  6. Jan 29, 2021 at 10:38 AM
    #6
    LilTexan22

    LilTexan22 Well-Known Member

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    I wired my bed lights straight to the battery with a fuse
     
  7. Jan 30, 2021 at 10:35 AM
    #7
    ncyrider

    ncyrider [OP] Active Member

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    I will be wiring to battery. Are most quality light wiring harnesses (I have Rigid Ind harnesses) made to just connect to the 3-4 wires coming from the illuminated switches (Cali raised LED, etc) so no extra wiring has to be done to get the switch to illuminate?
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2021

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