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Let There Be Lights - LEDs! (LED Bed Lights, LED Glove Compartment, and LED Reverse Spots & Floods)

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Stroonzo, Dec 18, 2015.

  1. Dec 18, 2015 at 11:08 AM
    #1
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thought I'd share my lighting project. I'll admit I was originally inspired by those who put LED strip lights in their beds. I did the same, but used IP66 rated water proof RGB strip lighting from HolidayCoro.com to which I applied to a ½" aluminum backer with shrink tubing. I then used Gorilla double sided tape on the aluminum backer to affix the strips to the underside of the cargo rail. To create white lighting, I simply wired the RGB strip as such (12v to Red, Green, and Blue).

    In addition, I added lighting to the glove compartment. I figured I might as well have while I was running wiring into the cab. For this, I used two rectangular RGB LED waterproof modules from HolidayCoro.com and wired them into a magnetically activated switch.

    I added Nilight Cree LED Work Light Flood Beams below the rear bumper to make reverse lighting meaningful.

    The bed lighting is activated by a switch added to the interior of the truck in an empty switch bank. These lights can be used with the ignition key on or off.

    The glove compartment is activated by a magnetic switch and is available with the ignition key on or off.

    The reverse floods (nick named Zombie Lights because of the switch controlling them) are activated by either the switch in the cab for manual operation, or they are automatic when the truck is put into reverse. The cab switch is wired in a manner where the floods can be used with the ignition key on or off.

    Pictures:
    02.jpg

    magnetSwitch.jpg

    Nilight.jpg
    RearSwitch.jpg

    ZombieSwitch.jpg
    08.jpg

    01.jpg
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2015
  2. Dec 18, 2015 at 11:09 AM
    #2
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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  3. Dec 18, 2015 at 11:10 AM
    #3
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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  4. Dec 18, 2015 at 11:11 AM
    #4
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    08.jpg
    09.jpg
    10.jpg
    11.jpg
    12.jpg
    14.jpg
     
    scocar likes this.
  5. Dec 18, 2015 at 11:12 AM
    #5
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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  6. Dec 18, 2015 at 11:12 AM
    #6
    Siblue

    Siblue Well-Known Member

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    sub'd for output pics
     
  7. Dec 18, 2015 at 11:13 AM
    #7
    Siblue

    Siblue Well-Known Member

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    looks good
     
  8. Dec 18, 2015 at 5:40 PM
    #8
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks. The amount of work and time that went into this was a bit ridiculous. I think I must have spent three days during my spare time making the wiring harness.

    The LED floods are so bright it is ridiculous. I bought a second set and I've been daring myself to put them all back there.
     
  9. Dec 18, 2015 at 5:49 PM
    #9
    conifers4

    conifers4 Tired and Broke

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    Looks great Stroonzo.
    For the reverse lights did you just tap into the tow harness reverse light wire... That's it????
     
  10. Dec 18, 2015 at 5:51 PM
    #10
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No. The tow harness reverse light wire is tapped to the relay. So when in reverse that 12v output switches the relay.
     
  11. Dec 18, 2015 at 5:54 PM
    #11
    conifers4

    conifers4 Tired and Broke

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    Thank you, gotcha. I have the same lights that came with a relay so I guess I'm good to go. Wiring is not my strong point obviously. Thanks..

    Now back to the thread....
     
  12. Dec 23, 2015 at 5:13 PM
    #12
    gtizzle67

    gtizzle67 New Member

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  13. Dec 26, 2015 at 4:38 PM
    #13
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well, I decided to add two more Nilight spots to the two floods I had already put on the back. Wow. What a remarkable combo.

    The outer floods are pointed somewhat diagonally throwing a very wide beam. This is great for reverse lighting and seeing what is behind / to the side.

    The inner spots are pointed just slight upward and I have them positioned to come together right at about 15 feet away from the tailgate at about 6 feet high.

    Again, let me show the before, after with only the floods, and after with floods and spots:

    Before
    image.jpg

    Floods only
    image.jpg

    Floods and spots
    image.jpg

    In the picture, I'm probably about 50 or more feet from my entry gate, so you really aren't able to see the alignment I've described. But you get the idea.
     
  14. Dec 26, 2015 at 5:33 PM
    #14
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Some additional pictures if there is any interest:

    IMG_1056.jpg

    IMG_1069.jpg

    IMG_1070.jpg

    IMG_1057.jpg

    IMG_1059.jpg

    IMG_1060.jpg
     
  15. Dec 26, 2015 at 5:36 PM
    #15
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    A few more:
    IMG_1065.jpg

    IMG_1083.jpg

    IMG_1084.jpg

    IMG_1085.jpg

    IMG_1079.jpg
     
  16. Dec 27, 2015 at 12:02 AM
    #16
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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    yeah.... those lights on the rear bumper would be ripped off in about a week if i mounted them there on my truck.....

    Nice setup though OP.
     
    Jaab likes this.
  17. Dec 27, 2015 at 7:00 AM
    #17
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks! Definitely, I understand that. I considered the vulnerability of that location (especially for others who are off-road more often). But at the very least, I may have been able to provide a demo of the lighting's effectiveness. Other than on top of a roll bar, I'm not sure where else I would have put them (and I don't have a roll bar).
     
  18. Dec 27, 2015 at 7:13 AM
    #18
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    Good inspiration. I need to do some similar work on my 2015 I just got in...August. Thanks for taking the time to write this up and take good pics.
     
  19. Dec 29, 2015 at 10:14 AM
    #19
    Stroonzo

    Stroonzo [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No problem. I am considering disabling the automatic nature of the reverse lighting (as easy as unplugging the connector from the towing harness). By the way I wired the circuit, I can manually operate those lights with the "Zombie Lights" switch. Surprisingly there are times when others do not appreciate such luminescent power :). For example, while reversing a car may be coming down the street as you wait to exit the driveway. I also noticed, while at a friend's home (and parked on his street), a person stopped their vehicle the moment I put the truck in reverse. The most accurate description of the reverse lighting is obnoxious.

    As for the glove compartment, it is the way it should have been done from Toyota. I had glove compartment lighting in my 1997 Nissan pickup.
     
  20. Dec 29, 2015 at 11:03 AM
    #20
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    Yeah I installed a couple 50 w halogen aux reverse lights on my 01 before the LEDs were so prevalent. Now I need a similar setup on the 15, but I'd use a less powerful flood pattern for my needs.

    But I really like the glovebox idea, and others have added a light for inside the console bin too. I'd like both.
     

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