eBay fog light kits for '08-'09-'10 Tacomas....

If your Tacoma had factory fogs originally, you should just need to install two new lamp assemblies. The new lamps should snap into the factory mount points and attach (via electrical connectors) directly to the factory harness. You can get replacement lamps from eBay, but be sure to get lamps with the correct adjusters and mounting points. Some of the posters in this thread have (unfortunately) gotten some lamps that seem to be missing certain installation mounts; be sure to 'see' pictures of the back of the lamps you are acquiring to ensure that they will install properly (the link you included in your post did not seem to have these pics). Good luck!

 

So, after reading everyone's comments, decided to take the dive. I ordered a kit with both fog lamps, the two wiring harnesses and a cheap aftermarket switch. A day or two later, after reading that most everyone who got these types of kits found the switches to be cheapy (now that I have it, it's true), so I ordered an OEM switch. Stupidly, I somehow thought I wouldn't need a harness. So I've ordered another OEM switch WITH a harness, and am contemplating either selling the harness-less switch here on TW, or just getting it refunded (opened the package, not entirely sure that's allowed).

So here's the deal. Going to try to update this SINGLE post because it seems that a lot of EPA's helpful advice is strewn across three or four forum pages, among tens of posts involving questions between TW members and EPA. Try and pay back a lot of the helpfulness I've received from EPA and others like it on TW.

For reference, since eBay links eventually die, the seller I bought the kit from (lamps + harnesses + cheap switch) is xrteam.

Here are pictures of the kit I got, I added annotations and arrows in Paint.NET.

The fog lamp the kit came with. Has a plastic film over the lens.


The back of one of the fog lamps. Notice the white adjuster knob.


Comparo of two switches side-by-side (switch height is biggest factor... the generic switch "fits" in my slot, but doesn't click in or anything):




Here's the lamp harness (the one thats in the engine bay):



Here's what I need help with, the other harness. There's a white wire coming from the 15A inline fuse with an odd brown connector. I assume this is what gets connected to the positive battery terminal... But how? Do I splice it and put a suitable connector on? Also, would like clarification on the red wire for the Add-a-Fuse, and the wires coming from the generic switch plug:

 

Yes you are correct, splice it and put a suitable connector, and yes the red to the add a fuse.

 

For the switch:

btw thanks for the pictures, this pic should help anyone installing theirs in the future

 

So I'm assuming I'll also just splice on a longer wire, since the majority of that harness will be inside the cab? I think I read you had only the lamp harness connector (red wire, white connector) and the 12V battery connector going out. I saw that and thought the wire was a bit short.

 

I honestly don't remember if I did had to extend it or not. You can also remove the black wire hose from the wires, and see if you re-distribute the wires a better way, then put the wire hose back on, but from looking at those pictures, I would just extend the white wire so it runs together along the red wire that connects to other part of harness.(since those two are the ones going out to the engine bay)

If you do extend it, I recommend that you solder the extension, don't crimp them together, or you could run a new longer wire from the relay to the battery, if you don't want to be splitting wires and soldering wires.

 

Well, I ended up finishing, and when I connected the negative terminal back up, went in and turned on the truck (without starting) - everything worked! I can't tell you the last time I remember something working on the first try, but I owe that success to this in-depth thread, and your help, so thank you again.

What I ended up doing was buying more 16 gauge wire (I guessed at the size in-store - ended up being precisely what was used), and bought a circular connector that had built-in solder AND heat shrink. To connect the new extension wire to the harness, I found nifty insulated connectors (photo below has washed out flash), and crimped my wires in those connectors and used heat shrink to seal them up proper. The connectors sit inside the cabin, so after I connected them I wrapped them neatly in some electrical tape to ensure good connection. Here are a few more photos of this process:

Photo of the spool of wire with the new circular connector:


Washed out pic of the female end of the quick connect connector I used for the white power wire extension:


And, just for kicks, here's how the add-a-fuse was connected to the red wire:


I spent probably around 4 hours of solid work on this today, mostly due to first fighting to get the holders out, and then fighting with the firewall grommet on the drivers side to get my two wires through (coathanger worked for me), but I'll post some photos when I get a chance.

Waiting on my stock switch to come in. I do have a question, though: How do you access the row of switches where the fog switch goes? I have the generic one sitting in the row below for now, but I couldn't see where to get at those switches without taking the lower dash out.

Thanks again.

 

Looking good!, did you add the fuse/fuse-holder to the new white wire you made?

The three top blanks are easy to access, you don't have to take the lower part of the dash out.

Remove the little door compartment (the one that lets you access the fusebox) and with the blank removed from the top row, point a flashlight from the bottom, up, and you should be able to see clearly.

Another option is to remove the button blank, and insert a wire till makes it way down under the dash or around the fusebox, then tie it to the foglight harness and pull it back.

 

I know this is an old ass thread.. but does anybody know what the lose wire in the 6th picture goes to? I cant seem to find an answer and it is bugging the crap out of me. Thanks for the help!

 

what color is it????

 

It is wrapped in that black protective stuff, it looks like a red and white wire with a black connector. Its all bundled up just sitting there.

 

that one!

 

that goes to the relay or the switch

 

--ALSO.... i have this switch and harness... do you guys think that I have a chance of wiring this up to a OEM switch? ... or do I need to get a new switch and harness? Thanks for the help!

 

For the fog lights? . That cable has been in my truck since day one. Does that mean I am prewired for fogs?

 

yep

 

Cool.. now how to wire up the OEM switch with my current harness. Thanks for your help.

 

That loose wire he is referring to, I actually have no idea what is for. It is not part of the wiring of the foglights, that wire is there from factory, its only on the driver's side.

EDIT:

I think that wire is for the 2nd horn, my truck came only with one of the horns either the high tone or low tone.

 

I think you are right... the connector doesnt look like anything on a fog light harness. thanks for the help.

 

that's cool, and great pics! should help anyone else in the future