Map Lights on with Dome light

Berniebikes · Jul 10, 2018

TheBlueBeast15 said: ↑

I know this thread is old but do you know what exactly to get from radio shack that will fit in map light connector. I’m talking about the molex pin. Unless you still have some extra molex pins hanging about haha.
Click to expand...

It is an old thread. I went and checked and I only have some leftover female pins. You would still have to get some male pins

they should be pretty available at any electronic shop, radio shack, probably at the hardware store if it's well stocked

TheBlueBeast15 · Jul 10, 2018

Berniebikes said: ↑

It is an old thread. I went and checked and I only have some leftover female pins. You would still have to get some male pins

they should be pretty available at any electronic shop, radio shack, probably at the hardware store if it's well stocked
Click to expand...

Wait I need a male pin? Where do I plug in the male pin. Iv been reading this thread over and over again and even the one over on Toyota nation. I think I’m going to follow this guy write up from this thread

c17 said: ↑

First, many kudos to DR007 for coming up with such a great, practical mod and Caribe for providing additional updates.

I too suffered from poor lighting in the cabin of my Tacoma 2015, ranging from poor overhead lighting and the lack of foot and courtesy lights.

This recommendation provides some answers to the questions people had regarding making the physical connections.

This mod provides a semi-permanent, solid connection to the dome light and provides a method to make a cleaner and neater connection at the personal, overhead map lights.

Regarding the connection at the overhead map lights, this suggestion eliminates the need to bend, solder, and otherwise mutilate the pins or connection at the map lights.

Some people were asking if it is okay to put some type of connector on the map light pin. The answer is, a resounding... yes and the method presented here offers a way to make that connection without bending the pin and without the need to solder any wires. It allows you to utilize the current connector and pins at the map light.

For those that are interested, I have included a schematic at the end to show how this mod works.

Most of the pictures are my own but I took a couple from the website. Thanks to those who contributed those pictures.

Cable tie removed...be sure to add a cable tie or electrical tape to secure wires.

Here is what you will need:

1) Machine screw, 10-32 either 1/4" or 3/8" in length. 1/4" flathead machine screw preferred or number flathead number 6 screw.

2) Flat washer to fit on the 10-32 machine screw or number 6 screw.

3) Locking washer to fit on the 10-32 machine screw or number 6 screw.

4) Nut, 10-32 to fit on the machine screw or number 6 screw

5) #6 ring connector, with appropriate wire opening to fit the size of wire you are using. An insulated ring connector is preferred but I had an uninsulated one available so I used it.

6) Molex connnector.

7) Heat shrink tubing. Nice, but necessary.

8) Cable tie.

9) Electrical tape

A 10-32 flat head machine screw 1/4" to 3/8" in length, washer, locking washer, nut may not be the easiest find. Your best bet is a good ACE or TrueValue hardware with possibly Lowes or Home Depot. Longer ones are readily available and you may need to cut it as I had to do. If a 10-32 screw is not available use a number 6 screw, washers and nut. Do not get a nut with a nylon insert. It will compromise the electrical connection.

A #6 ring connector fits over the screw but is also small enough to fit in the recess of the dome light. When selecting the ring connector, the other consideration is to make sure the opening for the wire is appropriate for the size of the wire. The wire I will be telling you about is in the range of 16 to 20 gauge. If you look carefully at some of the pictures, you will see my wire was 18 gauge.

A molex connector is just about the right size connector that will fit on the pins at the map lights and it will fit inside the connector for a neat, clean look. Ok, so where do you get a molex connector. I can’t remember the size designation of the molex connector you need but you can easily get one. You want to use the female molex connector that is found on power supplies for PC computers and some MAC computers. If you have a dead power supply cut the leads off it or get one from a computer repair store. They should have plenty of dead power supplies around so they will probably give it to you free. I have a picture of the molex pin remover tool. If you don’t have a molex pin remover tool, I promise you it will be a real challenge to get the pin out of the plastic housing. If you are picking up a cable from a computer repair store ask them to remove the molex pin from the housing. If you have the tool, it will take about 5 seconds to remove the pin. I used the black wire because in this mod you are generally providing a path to ground and a black wire is typically used in this scenario. But the color is not important. Cut the wire as long as possible and do not cut the molex pin off the wire. If careful it may be easier to cut the plastic housing around the molex pin rather than trying to get the pin out of the plastic housing.

Now it is time to assemble the wire and install it in the vehicle. Do yourself a favor and remove the fuse for the dome and interior lights. That fuse is located in the engine compartment.

Once you have the wire with molex pin, attach the ring connector to the other end of the wire from the molex pin. Then attach the ring connector to the silver hole on the backside of the dome light using the either the 10-32 machine screw or number 6 screw inserted in the silver hole from the front side of the dome light. On the backside you should use a flat washer, the ring connector, locking washer and nut in that order. If you did not use an insulated ring connector, heat shrink tubing is a nice touch but not necessary. Then apply a piece of electrical tape over the nut and ring connector, even if using an insulated ring connector. If you use a short screw there should not be a problem but I am using heat shrink tubing and electrical tape to cover mine. If it touches the metal of the cab it will not blow the fuse but the light will either not function properly or it will be on/off at odd times. Using a screw and nut will provide a more permanent, better mechanical and electrical connection compared to wedging the wire into the silver hole. As an option, If you don’t have a ring connector, you can use a small spade connector or just wrap the wire around the screw and tighten the nut on it.

If you attach the wire to the silver hole, the two lights, (dome light and map lights) will operate properly. If the dome light switch is set to off, both set of lights will be off but the map light can still be turned on with the map light switch. When the dome light is set to on, both sets of lights will be on. And when the dome light is set to door, both sets of lights will come on when the door is opened. The dimming function will operate as it should for both the dome and map lights. If you attach the wire to either the existing blue or white/black wire (rather than the silver contact) the lights will only work with either the door or on position of the dome light but not both.

At the other end of the wire, you will be inserting the molex pin into the open hole of the connector that goes to the map lights. It is important that you previously followed the initial instructions of DR007 and swapped out the two wires in the vehicle connector that attaches to the map light assembly.

If you have not swapped the two wires, it is now time to do so. Now insert the female molex connector into the open hole of the of the connector. Since it is not the exact size and style of the vehicle connector the molex pin probably will not lock into the connector. That is okay for now. Add a cable tie or if you don’t have a cable tie, tape the wires together to avoid movement.

Cable tie added (or electrical tape) to secure wires.

With the molex pin in the connector, even if it is not locked in, it is now time to install the connector on the map light pins. Here is the somewhat tricky part. Because the molex pin does not lock into the connector you will have to hold the molex pin in the connector while you push the connector onto the pins. The molex connector is a little smaller than the pin but expandable so it will take a little force to get the connector seated on the pins. That is good because it will stay on the pin and make a good mechanical and electrical connection. After the connector is installed in the map light assembly, give a slight tug on the wire to make sure it is securely seated on the pin.

Cable tie out of view ...be sure to add a cable tie or electrical tape to secure wires.

Now it is time to re-install the fuse and test the lights. If all works properly, re-install the dome light and map light assembly.

I left a pigtail on my wire because I will be using it for additional lighting. If you want to install additional footwell, courtesy lights, bed lights, or other lights that function with the dome light, just attach another wire to the wire you just installed from the dome light to the map lights. Run this additional wire down the A or B pillar or anywhere else you want to place the additional lighting. This wire should be attached to the negative lead of the lights if you are using LEDs. The other lead from to the lights should be attached to a constant, positive 12 volt source of power. If you are using LEDs and aren’t using too many you will probably not have to add a relay. On the other hand, if you add regular bulbs, especially floods or spots, I highly recommend you use a relay. The weakest point in this mod is the OEM grounding wires at the dome light (wht/blk and blue wires). All current will be going through these wires. These are very small gauge wires and can not support much current. Definitely do not exceed the rating of the fuse which is 7 ½ amps. Either use LEDs and/or use a relay. Remember, only you can prevent truck fires.

This is how the mod works.

Click to expand...

Am I missing something?

Bravisimo · Jul 22, 2018

Can someone make a video explaining / doing the process? It would be super helpful.

kgarrett11 · Aug 28, 2019

@Clarky4×4

caribe makaira · May 20, 2020

Swap the location of the terminals and add a terminal (090/2.3II type, not a molex terminal) (do not bend it) with enough wire to reach the negative hole in the Room Lamp (Center), terminate wire with a ring terminal. Use a bolt, washer n nut. Insulate added bolt so it does not touch the roof.

2021TacoTruck · Sep 28, 2019

I just completed this mod. Thanks, DR007 for the write-up.

Not sure if this has been covered, but some had difficulty swapping the map light wires. To remove the wires, it's best to use a small pick. I used the 90 degree pick to remove the white plastic wire retainer, and then drive the pick in from the front of the connector (the side which goes into the map light pins) and slide the pick on top of the metal wire connector to release the small plastic retainer. Once you see the connector, my description will make sense. I hope this helps save someone frustration.

Great mod, as it takes very little time to achieve a useful result.

whatarush · Feb 15, 2020

hmmmm

EME · May 9, 2020

thanks to the OP, just completed this mod, and added the LED lights at the same time, nice and bright for sure.

jbcanes · May 11, 2020

Thanks for the great write up. Did it this morning. Everything went well except the metal end of the dome led ripping off.

Shayne · Jun 11, 2020

Will this work for a 3rd gen?

caribe makaira · Jun 11, 2020

Shayne said: ↑

Will this work for a 3rd gen?
Click to expand...

No...
3rd Gen Map lamps

JimIowa · Jun 27, 2020

Just completed this today. Had to switch the map light bulb polarity as mentioned somewhere on this tread. Don't forget this bulb flip if things don't initially work. For anyone who is going to try this, and wants one of the steps easy-peasy, I have 9 extra 22-18 female connectors for $1.00 each (postage mainly). This size slides on the "bent" blade nicely. [/ATTACH]

reallifedog · Sep 14, 2022

reviving an old thread with a great resource for the correct pins (in the US)

https://www.bmotorsports.com/shop/product_info.php/xrf/gshp/products_id/2101

EDIT: these pins may not work, will test to confirm either way.

caribe makaira · Sep 14, 2022

reallifedog said: ↑

reviving an old thread with a great resource for the correct pins (in the US)
Click to expand...

Wrong terminal- it uses none sealed terminal.#12340
https://www.corsa-technic.com/item.php?item_id=809

reallifedog · Sep 14, 2022

caribe makaira said: ↑

Wrong terminal- it uses none sealed terminal.#12340
https://www.corsa-technic.com/item.php?item_id=809

Click to expand...

well dang, I thought I was on to something. Either way, I'm going to give them a try. I also ordered the terminals from Corsa to compare.

reallifedog · Sep 21, 2022

I tried both pins and they both snap into the plug firmly, but since the 7116-4026(from Ballenger motorsports) is an insulated pin I trimmed the rear wings to create the uninsulated crimp onto the wire insulation. Regardless, I installed the 7116-4021 pin from Corsa.

I'm able to turn my map lights on with the dome in the "OFF" position which disagrees with everything I've read. Otherwise, everything works perfectly and IM super satisfied with the outcome.

caribe makaira · Sep 21, 2022

reallifedog said: ↑

...I'm able to turn my map lights on with the dome in the "OFF" position which disagrees with everything I've read. O
Click to expand...

It all depends on which side of the center dome you attach the added wire from the maps...

reallifedog · Sep 21, 2022

caribe makaira said: ↑

It all depends on which side of the center dome you attach the added wire from the maps...
Click to expand...

Interesting, I did it on the side opposite the plug.

TodayWasTHeDaY · Nov 5, 2022

Great mod! Just did this and it's an awesome cheap upgrade. Very stoked.

Samram92 · Jun 28, 2023

On my 2014, swapping the wiring position in the map light didn’t work. Once I put them back to their original position, everything worked as intended. Cool mod for convenience! Thank you!

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