Tailgate LED Intstal Mod

So I have been looking at the tailgate LED strips but the 2016 Tacoma has the spare tire crank access right in the middle of the track where the LED strip has to go.

The fix is to break the strip. I used http://www.ebay.com/itm/122046852715 which cost $25.

This product was already cut in the middle and soldered together by the factory. I carefully stripped back the silicone seal and unsoldered the halves. Added some fine black wire and taped down the assembly. So here is a picture. I plan to rework it as it came out a little messy.

It comes with a trailer plug but I decided to hard wire it which was not hard to do. Under the bumper you will see the back of the trailer plug, just splice into the wires. Here is the color code for the vehicle side, heavy White with stripe is ground, Green is running lights, the center fine wire White is back up, Blue right, Purple left.

So here is more info on the LED strip. The strip has 2 sides that are attached in the middle so they can separate power for left and right signaling. You must add the wires to make the space in the middle. In the close up you may see 5 connections but only 4 are used. You must use a fine soldering iron and fine flexible wire. Lay it out on the bench to do your soldering and be very careful not to over heat the copper pad or to pull on the wires when moving it to the truck.

One more option!! Since these are cheap, $25 you could buy 2 and break the strip in the middle and install both wired halves. This way you do not need to extend wires. You would need to do some wire splicing between the sides but it would be a very clean look.




Here we go all done, head light on daytime. Very cool at night.

PS: Did you notice the Black TACOMA vinyl letters?

 

Interesting! And I like the black lettering. I'd like to convert all my badging from chrome to black.

 

Very nice mod OP!
Do you have any more pics of the install?
TIA

 

Sorry no more pictures I forgot to take one before I started.
So here is more info on the LED strip. The strip has 2 sides that are attached in the middle so they can separate power for left and right signaling. You must add the wires to make the space in the middle. In the close up you may see 5 connections but only 4 are used. You must use a fine soldering iron and fine flexible wire. Lay it out on the bench to do your soldering and be very careful not to over heat the copper pad or to pull on the wires when moving it to the truck.

 

Thanks @Marc529.
Did these come with instructions on how to connect them?
I understand in Missouri that one can not have the flashing turn signal part of these. All of the other functions would be fine.

 

The strip comes as one piece in a molded silicone sleeve. There is no gap. The Mod is to make a gap so it does not cover the access port for the spare tire crank.
If you do not want the turn signals to flash, don't hook up those wires.

 

One more option!! Since these are cheap, $25 you could buy 2 and break the strip in the middle and install both wired halves. This way you do not need to extend wires. You would need to do some wire splicing between the sides but it would be a very clean look.

 

Thank You!