LED Mirror Courtesy Light mod

First off I want to thank everyone who has contributed to TW, I have ready tons of threads and enjoy the site.

This is my first ever whole write up, Im not one for taking pictures and posting, very time consuming, but I tried my best for this write up. There are many videos and instructions out on the "interweb" on how to do everything for this mod, I simple added my own likings of running the wires to power the LED courtesy light and the drilling.

I did see a thread where a member installed 4runner mirror for the courtesy lights, kudos for him but I had these LEDs already and had some free time. I also recently added foot well LEDs tapped into the dash lighting, when the lights are turned on at night LED foot lighting turn on as well, LED is adjustable using the gauge light dimmer switch. The lights look factory compared to my Lexus.

So lets start the fun. This mod adds LED courtesy lights under the mirrors powered by the dome light. LED on when truck is unlocked and off when truck is locked


Some basic tools needed
flat+ philips head screw driver
ratchet with 10mm socket
T25 torx bit
wire cutter
electric tape
shrink wrap
Light tester
Drill + drill bits



8mm wide angle, white LED
8mm LED holder
also some 16 gauge wires or so, I used quality audio wired I had left over from my other LED project. (not in picture)




I read/traced the dome power wires from 12volt.com
( http://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=137159 )
Dome Supervision blue - dash fuse box, black 13 pin plug (1E), pin 9




also used some great info from TW



Start the demo....
Remove the following panels
Driver side step plate trim



Foot rest pad and kick panel



How I removed the door panel and side mirror (video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcTg2mIY3wc
Remove the door panel, by removing the following cover/bolts/screws/connector












I pulled gently at the door panel near the hinge to free the panel off the door clips of the door



I followed another TW members instructions on how to remove the side mirror glass, which could be be found on the following link, https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-heated-mirrors-diy-mod.193528/ Hope its ok I reposted his steps here, Im not breaking any rules am I? if so please let me know I can remove it

Gently press on the top of your mirror glass to create a gap on the bottom. You can slide a flat-head in the gap and into the small recessed areas of the white mount plate. "Pop" the glass out from the mount plate and pull down and out to remove.





With the mirror off Drill the hole in the lower mirror just big enough to set the LED holder in snug


remove the cover under the mirror which reveals (2) T25 screws plus the other one that needs to be removed to allow the routing of the LED wires



This small philips screw needs to be removed



remove factory tape and mark where the wire ends near the mirror boot that way later there is enough wire to reach the factor connector in the door



Separate the mirror pieces



Remove the factor tape around the wire shield



(yikes found some dirt from previous off roading)
Fish the needed wire for the LED, this is the tricky part. I used a 12gauge wire that I lubed up and slid it bottom of the mirror connector to the top where the tape was removed. Once through I shrink wrapped a few inches of the audio wire used fot the LED to the 12gauge and pulled the wire through, done



I connected the positive and negative wires and used shrink wrap, then routed the wires and secured them



I used some RTV to secure the LED and holder more plus seal the hole and led from water... I did a ugly job haha but you get the idea. The LED sits snug in the LED holder I just added the RTV for piece of mind



Here you can see the addition LED wire routing



I did not take any picture near the end of course sorry but it is simple... The last steps are to fish and secure the wires through the factor door rubber jam to the frame then connect the LED wire to the pink wire for (+) and the blue wire for negative (-). I did not add a inline fuse (I could of), I did not because the LED pulls very little power and from experience I have never had any electric problems from doing so.
I used a zip tie and some wire twist I had to route the wires.



Test the LED and the mirror movement before installing everything back. With the LED holder the courtesy LED should be very unnoticeable after installation




(yeah yeah, I have LED interior bulbs coming in the mail)

The passenger side follows the same steps other then routing the extra wire to connect to the driver side power supply of the pink and blue wire. I removed the glove box to easily run the wire. Along the glove box, through the center under the carpet to the power supply.



I just tried to get some night pictures but my phone can not pick up the lighting well, picture does no justice. I am super happy with the end result. The courtesy LED is just as bright and factory looking as my Lexus for sure!



thanks all

 

Nicely done!

 

Cool mod indeed!

 

Nice write up, sure beats the cost id adding on new mirrors and the finish looks great!

 

Thanks, I just read your thread of the heated mirror kit, luckily I live in an area with NO cold weather. Thats an amazing write up, Im sure it took you some time to get the kit set up with complete write up. Give you props for the hard work

 

Great write up. Just an idea for those who may want a little less work. I put mine in the bottom of the door panel. And Noone ever looks under there. Never even notice it till its dark out

 

Thanks! Yeah just like you said in the OP it can be very time consuming to do a nice write up along with pictures. That said of all the tutorials posted on here I've always appreciated the ones like this that are clear instructions and detailed pictures.

 

Sub'ed

 

Very useful mod when its dark out. As close to factory as I could ask for.

 

Nice write up!

 

May I know did my 2007 Tacoma can install the LED mirror cover ? or i can replace the whole mirror from 12-15 ?

 

Nice write up OP. very clean and factory looking.

I used this thread to add Sienna heated-signal mirrors to my 2011.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oem-heated-mirrors-diy-mod.193528/

 

Doing mine as we speak!