Factory reverse lights on a switch DIY

KTJO 4x4 · Mar 11, 2018

bradshawnh[OP] initial post: ↑

So, I did one mod over the holiday weekend. I got a new Pelfreybilt rear bumper and have 2 Baja Designs S2 Pros I plan to use as reverse lights, as well as for general lighting when working behind the truck or camping.

Anyways, I wanted the lights to all come on in reverse, as well as when I pushed the switch. I also wanted a mod to turn on the rear-view camera while driving, to check on the hitch (if I am towing). I did not want to have to trigger the lights independently every time I backed up, but also did not want them ONLY to come on in reverse.

AS ALWAYS, I DO NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, IF IT CAUSES ANY DAMAGE, OR IF YOU CAUSE ANY DAMAGE. I ONLY TESTED THIS AND VERIFIED FUNCTION ON MY MANUAL TRANSMISSION VEHICLE. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLE INSTRUCTIONS WERE TAILORED USING INFORMATION FROM THE TOYOTA EWD. CONTINUE AT YOUR OWN RISK!

That said this should work for all transmissions, engines, and drive configurations.

First, find the under hood fuse box. This should be easy. If not, stop now!

I’m pointing at the wire connected to my Switch-Pros.

Then, find the EA1 connector. It’s the white one closest to the front and passenger side of the truck.

Then, tap a wire. I used some red wire I had laying around, and a 3M t-tap. These things are my favorite way to tap a wire. Use whatever method you like.

IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC AND WANT TO ENERGIZE THE RELAY COIL, tap into pin 5, the red wire with the red arrow in my sketch. If you do this, do NOT attach any other devices or lights to the wire you are adding (other than a switch connected to battery voltage) or else you may damage your vehicle in a very extenuating circumstance. The benefit of this route is that you do not need a relay of your own. This method energizes the low current side of the factory reverse light relay.

IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC AND WANT TO ENERGIZE THE REVERSE LIGHTS DIRECTLY, tap into pin 7, the red wire with the green arrow in my sketch (mine is purple, 6MT is a different color on the same pin). You will need to add your own relay and/or switch capable of handling the full amperage required by the circuit (fused at 15A). This method energizes the high current side of the factory reverse light relay.

IF YOU HAVE A MANUAL your choice is easy. You have no relay. Tap into pin 5 (red), 7 (purple), or 12 (purple) (any of the 3 arrows in my sketch). They are all bussed together inside the fuse block anyways. I chose pin 12 because it was closest to the wire exit point and thus the neatest. As with automatic above, you will need to add your own relay and/or switch capable of handling the full amperage required by the circuit (fused at 7.5A this time).

Then, route your wire out of the fuse block area and to the relay/switch of your choosing. There are a few pass through points, all you need to do is stuff the wire through, and there is plenty of room. If there is tape in your way, just use a coat hanger or screwdriver or something to help the wire find it’s way through. The wire is running through a plastic wire funnel thing. It should pop out the bottom passenger side of the fuse block alongside the factory harness. This is how I did mine. I did my best to maintain a near-factory and very clean install.

Connect this wire to your relay and/or switch you chose earlier. Supplying +12V to this wire will energize the circuit and turn on your reverse lights. I connected mine to my Switch-Pros.

All that is left is splicing in your reverse lights of choice to the RED wire going to the reverse lights at the back of the truck (behind the tail lights).

Enjoy this mod and I welcome any feedback you all may have!
Click to expand...

where is the best location to tap for the high beam signal? I’d like to keep the tap inside the fuse box if possible

bradshawnh · Mar 12, 2018

I followed the wire from the back of the bulb up the harness until I got to the place I wanted to splice in. I'm sure it goes into the fuse box at some point so you have to just find the right wire. You'd need an EWD to determine for sure. I don't have access to one right now.

KTJO 4x4 · Mar 17, 2018

Can you post a pic of your high beam location you chose. I’m assuming there is a red and black wire coming out of the high beam location. I haven’t even looked yet. Doing this today hopefully. Just trying to get it all squared away before I start so it’s smoother.

Update: I ended up tapping into the following fuses for my ignition wire (A/C Fuse), Trigger 1 (Bkup 1 Fuse), and Trigger 2 (High Beam Fuse H-LP RH-HI). The ignition and High Beam Fuses work great, but my reverse Fuse does not work in that location. I’m thinking I need to T-Tap the actual factory wire. However, I’m a little confused with OPs directions. I have an automatic and I’m trying to tap the correct wire. I have a Pin 7 (Red), but I don’t have a Pin 12. I’m assuming Pin 12 is for manuals only and not automatics. I do have a Pin 18 that is Red. Just trying to figure out the correct wire to tap. Is it Pin 7 (Red Wire) that I need to tap for my truck? I have my S2s connected directly to my SwitchPro and I am taking Trigger Wire 1 and wanting to tap it into the reverse lights directly. Therefore I can have 4 different outputs triggered to come on when I am in reverse when I want.

OPs directions say the following:

IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC AND WANT TO ENERGIZE THE REVERSE LIGHTS DIRECTLY, tap into pin 7, the red wire with the green arrow in my sketch (mine is purple, 6MT is a different color on the same pin). You will need to add your own relay and/or switch capable of handling the full amperage required by the circuit (fused at 15A). This method energizes the high current side of the factory reverse light relay.

gunn_runner · Aug 14, 2018

I'd like to do this in my 2nd gen. Any ideas if the wiring is the same?

GregoryS10 · Sep 3, 2019

webdr said: ↑

I'd like to do this in my 2nd gen. Any ideas if the wiring is the same?
Click to expand...

Looking to do the same, did you ever find anything out?

GoGoGadget · Jun 12, 2020

Nice. This is definitely on my "To Do" list. And mostly just commented so I can find this post again since I have been searching threads for about an hour now.

Mt133677 · Nov 19, 2020

Has anyone found which wire to tap for the 2020’s yet?

5nahalf · Feb 27, 2021

Just a warning on this mod for 2018+ models with TSS. When you trigger pin 5 (red wire with red arrow) its tricking the truck into thinking its in reverse. This causes you to get a "DRIVE-START CONTROL MALFUNCTION" error. The TSS system sees it being put in reverse, but its actually in drive so the computer goes all crazy.

The error doesnt go away either, I had to disconnect the battery to get it to go away, and who knows if it will come back when I turn on the truck and drive tomorrow.

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Factory reverse lights on a switch DIY

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KTJO 4x4 Well-Known Member

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Factory reverse lights on a switch DIY

#21 KTJO 4x4 Well-Known Member

#22 bradshawnh [OP] ...to the rescue!

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#28 5nahalf I build dumb things

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KTJO 4x4 Well-Known Member

#22
bradshawnh [OP] ...to the rescue!

#23
KTJO 4x4 Well-Known Member

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gunn_runner www.gunnphotoservices.com

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GregoryS10 Well-Known Member

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GoGoGadget Well-Known Member

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5nahalf I build dumb things

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