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Tailgate operated bedlights

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by rybern, Jan 13, 2024.

  1. Jan 13, 2024 at 2:38 PM
    #1
    rybern

    rybern [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I added the OEM bedlight kit to my '23 Taco. It was a super easy and cheap add on at less than $60. But time after time I discovered that the bedlights would turn off before I was ready.

    I decided to add a plunger switch (door jam pin switch) that would turn on two LED strips anytime the tailgate is open(like the doors). This plunger pin switch disconnects the ground from completing the circuit when pressed in by the tailgate. I also added a switch to turn them off in case I need to leave the tailgate down for an extended period. I got everything installed yesterday and it works great. I wired these LED strips independent from the truck lights in an effort to not induce any electronic grimlins.

    I used a 60" LED strip kit and a plunger and switch shown in this pic:
    20240112_165814.jpg

    You can see in this next pic where I installed the override switch. In the 2nd photo below, you can see where I installed the plunger switch below the latch. I think the latch will help protect the plunger from damage.
    20240112_171533.jpg
    20240112_195507.jpg

    I cut the LED strips to a length (on the cut marks) so they wouldn't be longer than the length of the tie down strips. I also mounted them facing "down" so they wouldn't be shining in my eyes. ;) Here's the finished product, this is the LED strips only (OEM truck bedlights have timed out already):
    20240112_195436.jpg

    One of my motivations for this project was so the bedlights come on when I open the tailgate. I have a Lomax bed cover that stays on most of the time.

    One downfall to this set up is that if I leave the tailgate open and forget to turn the lights off with the over ride switch the battery will eventually drain. I kind of wish they would time out after 20 min like the truck cargo lights. I keep a Noco GB40 on hand though.

    Here's a link to the lights I putchased:
    https://www.ebay.com/itm/224533951546

    Here's a rough sketch:
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2024
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    #1
    Blackwolf, mosccat, Tocamo and 7 others like this.
  2. Jan 13, 2024 at 3:38 PM
    #2
    Greg-tacoma

    Greg-tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Bed cover, soon bug deflector, halo interior lights and backup
    Where did you get the power? Battery?
    What plunger switch
     
  3. Jan 13, 2024 at 4:03 PM
    #3
    rybern

    rybern [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I edited one of the photos to show what I'm referring to. I'm also going to edit my info above to explain that a low profile switch is needed due to the clearance between the tailgate and bed being minimal.
    Here's a link to a switch like I used: https://www.ebay.com/itm/165684394877

    Edited to say: I tried to find a constant 12v source in the rear of the truck but was unsuccessful and ran a wire all the way to the fuse panel under the hood.
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2024
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    #3
  4. Jan 13, 2024 at 5:35 PM
    #4
    CT Yankee

    CT Yankee Well-Known Member

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    Only aesthetic mods so far Leer 180 cap & Clazzio covers on order.
    Nice. I could see that be handy if one does not have a cap. My Leer 180 has interior lights that are wired to the bed lights. Very handy.
     
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  5. Jan 13, 2024 at 6:17 PM
    #5
    Greg-tacoma

    Greg-tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the edit, appreciate it
     
  6. Jan 13, 2024 at 6:34 PM
    #6
    rybern

    rybern [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Wiring them to the OEM bedlights certainly crossed my mind. But I wasn't sure how well it would integrate due to the way I'm using the tailgate switch and the manual override switch.
     
  7. Jan 13, 2024 at 6:35 PM
    #7
    rybern

    rybern [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Sure thing Greg.
     
  8. Jan 13, 2024 at 7:10 PM
    #8
    soundman98

    soundman98 Well-Known Member

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    constant power is in the trailer plug. just need a sacrificial addon harness like the curt 56584, and modify the trailer power relay to stay closed.
     
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  9. Jan 14, 2024 at 6:10 AM
    #9
    rybern

    rybern [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for the heads up on the trailer power relay. I checked for power on all prongs and nothing. I'll look into how to make the power wire hot when the truck is off.... I know there are other vehicles wired this way.
     
  10. Jan 14, 2024 at 6:40 AM
    #10
    soundman98

    soundman98 Well-Known Member

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    or you can just ask nicely ;)

    this truck uses a relay under the hood to disconnect that power when the truck isn't running, to prevent parasitic trailer draw from killing the truck battery if the trailer was left connected all night.

    i temp-modified my relay to stay shut all the time, providing power to the rear of the truck. absolute worst case scenario, the piece of ziptie melts/fails, and it opens the circuit.


    i use the curt harness mentioned earlier as a sacrificial harness. i make all my cuts and splices in that harness, so that if there's a problem, my needs change, or i no longer need it, i can unplug it, reconnect the oem plug to the rear trailer plug, and the truck is as it left the factory without all my add-on's.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  11. Jan 14, 2024 at 11:51 AM
    #11
    rybern

    rybern [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Good point, I started to ask. But I've got the wire ran now and will likely leave it this way but I'm glad to have an understanding of why Toyota wired it this way and a way around it without permanently modifying the vehicle. I give great thought before permanently modifying my vehicles.... might sound odd coming from a guy that just drilled several holes in the bed of his truck, LOL.
     
  12. Jan 14, 2024 at 12:03 PM
    #12
    soundman98

    soundman98 Well-Known Member

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    i'm the same way. i prefer to keep my modifications to methods that can be concealed or altogether removed.

    after having 3 vehicles now that "i'm going to keep forever", i've learned better that forever is a whole lot shorter these days!
     
  13. Jan 14, 2024 at 12:12 PM
    #13
    rybern

    rybern [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Haha, I understand that too. The way I ran the wire, it looks factory.... until you look behind the drivers side tail light(it's neat, just not factory); and the add a fuse of course. o_O
     
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  14. Jan 14, 2024 at 1:13 PM
    #14
    808stateofmind

    808stateofmind Well-Known Member

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    that's pretty cool, cause the only other way to leave on the bed lights is with the cargo switch, but I like the idea of the lights staying on with the tailgate open. do you think you could do a simple drawing of how you wired everything up and maybe post it? also did you use a relay?
     
  15. Jan 14, 2024 at 1:43 PM
    #15
    rybern

    rybern [OP] Well-Known Member

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    One of my motivations for this project was so the bedlights come on when I open the tailgate. I have a bed cover that stays on most of the time. I didn't use a relay.

    The downfall to this set up is that if I leave the tailgate open and forget to turn the lights off with the over ride switch. I kind of wish they would time out after 20 min like the truck cargo lights.

    Here's a link to the lights I putchased:
    https://www.ebay.com/vod/FetchOrderDetails?orderId=04-11025-86437

    Here's a rough sketch:
    20240114_153658.jpg
     
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  16. Jan 14, 2024 at 1:54 PM
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    Tocamo

    Tocamo .

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    Txs Ryan. I've been thinking about doing this mod for about 6 years now.... :cheers:
     
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  17. Jan 14, 2024 at 1:57 PM
    #17
    808stateofmind

    808stateofmind Well-Known Member

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    Thank you for that! I also have a bed cover and i hate that the lights time out so quick. This is an awesome little mod. I dont usually leave my tailgate open very often, so i wouldn't worry too much about draining my battery. I bet there is a timer module you could wire up to time out the lights.

    Also im guessing the 12v source is a constant 12v? Did you tap anywhere specific under the hood?
     
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  18. Jan 14, 2024 at 2:09 PM
    #18
    RIX TUX

    RIX TUX no ducks given

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    cant you just use the switch on the dash?
     
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  19. Jan 14, 2024 at 2:10 PM
    #19
    23MGM

    23MGM Well-Known Member

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    Nice work, I really like that. So, the wire you ran all the way to the fuse panel under the hood... What route did you take? Is it attached to the inside of the frame rail, somehow through the cab or some route pretty weather resistant?
     
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  20. Jan 14, 2024 at 2:32 PM
    #20
    canuck guy

    canuck guy Well-Known Member

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