Gen 3 Flush-Mounted Cornering Lights

I’m trying something new- I didn’t like the hood-mounted ditch lights, but couldn’t see out the side for cornering off-road at night. This experiment uses a Flush mount Baja Designs wide pattern light modified to sandwich the fender. I’m pretty sure BD will void my warranty, but I’m confident the light won’t leak and the heat won’t hurt the plastic.



For a video of the light pattern: https://youtu.be/ixEz3SmpGeo


I chose the location for the lighting pattern, mostly. Where I put it melds the cornering light pattern perfectly with the front light bar pattern. Vertical location was at the most vertical light location so light shines straight out- not up or down.

I had to cut down the mounting plate to fit on the narrow rib on the bumper, plus, I was going for subtlety. I cut the plate at the centerline of the mounting holes and finished the edges and corners with a belt sander. I then countersunk the M3 screw holes so I could replace the Baja Designs screws with flatheads flush with the plate. I’m currently shopping black stainless tamperproof flathead M3’s.

I cut the fender with the center of the light 8” down as shown, and used a hole saw to cut a smaller hole the same diameter as the flats on the hexagon. I then filed the hexagon to shape and drilled the holes using the mounting plate as a template. It’s important to make sure you lay it out with the flats of the hex top and bottom, or the lens diffusion pattern will be off.

The lens and body of the light stay together and install from inside the fender from under the hood. Make sure the lens hex goes into the hex hole so the face of the lens is almost flush with the outside of the fender. I then screwed the faceplate (modified mounting plate) on the outside through the fender and into the light housing.

Wiring was done by modifying the BD harness to remove slack and extend the switch leg to the interior. When my Meso Customs 7 gang panel arrives, it will be switched there.

The light is plenty and right where I wanted it.
I haven’t seen anything like this (maybe people know something I don’t), but the Arizona Gen 3 Tacoma groups seemed to like the idea, so I thought I’d share it here. I like my truck kind of smooth and clean, and it keeps things from catching branches and stuff on exterior mounted lighting. Looking forward to seeing how people take this idea and run with it.

 

I'm not sure how I feel yet but leaning toward ..nice.

 

Following to see the light output from drivers perspective!

 

Same here now. I am curious as to how it looks too. OP, did you only do the drivers side?

 

I posted a video above. Hopefully, you can see it.
https://youtu.be/ixEz3SmpGeo

 

No, I did both sides.

 

Nice Looking forward to seeing some pics of the light output (hint, hint)

 

I posted a video- did it not go through? I’m a little computer challenged.

 

Never got the video above

 

Nice! Thanks! How did you cut the hole?

Edit: never mind, I see it in the first post. Good work!

 

I used (I think) a 1.5” hole saw, then filed it to a hex.

 

I might have to look into this. I am slowly wiring everything up, but one thing I did that I think is perfect for this set up is this: I wired the Meso stealth shift knob to operate lights on each side of the truck. So pressing the left button lights up the left and same for the right. Since these are momentary switches, they are great for cornering lights. Just something to consider.

 

That’s a great idea! One worry I have is how hot these things can get if on for an hour or so. Ten minutes, no problem. Momentary would be great and one less switch to kill when oncoming traffic. Thanks!

 

OP, run a relay so they come ON when you select turn signal 70's style...DPDT switch (for left & right), ON-OFF-TURN.

 

I would have to learn where to do that. I guess tap into the circuit before the circuit that makes the blink. So much easier with the d style flasher units, but evidently these rolling computers don’t have that. Not sure how to build a switch into the blinker system.

 

Just tap the turn stalk, (left & right) it's a negative. You don't want the added lamp to flash, just ON when the turn is selected.

 

Wow, thanks!! Now I have to decide between the shift knob idea and this. Always good to have options and I’m sure others will choose their favorite way.

 

Do you mean this:

 

ktjo4x4.com sells an interior led for the door handle hollow. It's the same connector as the C11 Combination Switch. Just make sure it's the one for the access cab.

Wires that are in locations 11 & 12 are the ones to tap. (90980-12460)
The made harness has pins 3 & 13 with dual wires for the illumination LED, I don't recommend switching them because the connecter & terminals there are too small and have a high chance of breaking.
I sent her an email on the 9th of October for a custom harness,

but no answer.