VLED Mini Pod side markers

Thought I'd add my own variation of some Bro "Raptor" lights.
Never been a huge fan of the grill lights up front but for those going for the full look this one may be for you LOL. But for me, one thing I have appreciated about the additional running lights on the Raptors (and any HD full size, or dually actually) is the extra visibility to other drivers - safety is huge for me. I do alot of highway driving here in poor weather and there are way too many rear ends, and oblivious lane changes. My hope is that my truck is more visible from all sides in that event...


Oh and hopefully I get like 1 TW bro point for a "wider" look by the location. That's super important to me when I meet at the Mall with my Starbucks latte. You can see the F150 lights are mounted horizontally in line with the tail lights, but I think matching the front location was a better idea, and it just didn't look right to me after mocking up different spots around the rear bumper. Also BSM is there too.
Mounting location took some consideration and thought before I drilled the plastic fenders. I also wanted OEM look if possible. But I won't get into that. Here are a few close ups with lights off.




Parts used were minimal and install was easy

-VLED Mini pods (amber front, red rear)






-Flush mount option hardware X4 for Mini Pods shown in pic above.
-Additional ~14-18 gauge wire OR additional wire harness from VLED.

-OEM Toyota Fender clips.

-Butt connectors, shrink tube, and plastic wire loom. (Amazon kits)

-Power source, I chose to tap the Hot (green) wire of my rear running lights, and the Hot wire from my front amber (purple? If i remember right) side markers. Everyone has their preference for power but this was easiest for me by using these taps. I tried the VLED wire taps but found that they were not right for the gauge of wire. I would not recommend these and would suggest using another brand such as below.


I grounded my rear lights to the lowest of the 3, 10mm bolts that are visible once you remove your tail lights.
For the front lights, I tapped the existing ground wire in the side marker harness.

I wont go over all the details of install since there are way better threads that show you how to wire and tap accessories, but a couple of notes. Thank you to all those that posted details and part numbers in your threads, that helped alot in this install.

-The Mini pod lights are barely shallow enough to fit in the gap between plastic fender and the metal body panels. You will need to measure 3 times, and drill once when you chose your location. An easier method that would definitely give you the depth, would be to mount them on the flat surface of your plastic fender. Keep in mind, if you mount them on the flat surface (perpendicular to your truck) they would potentially be visible only to people directly beside you. My idea was to have them visible from directly behind, in front, AND beside you.
-I initially bought the regular sized Red Pods for the rear, but they were just too deep to mount in the position I wanted, unless I was willing to drill my rear panel. I wanted to have an offset of size, (larger rear, smaller front), but it didn't work out that way.
-The rear pod position avoids most of the road spray. The front amber mounting location will see alot of moisture, but again due to visibility, I chose to mount them on the angled portion of my plastic fender so they were visible to oncoming drivers. I hope they stand up to their claim of "Exterior Grade".
-The mini pods claim is water proof and exterior grade. Time will tell. Take note of the sequence of assembly so they stay "water proof".

- I didn't have to drill any holes in the quarter panels.
- No hyper flashes, or other ghost electrical problems since install (I have MESO rears with resistors, VLED front amber turn, VLED inter domes, OEM Toyota Tundra LED fogs, and LED license plate assemblies.)
-I did NOT have to remove the fenders all the way, I only removed the portion that was necessary to tuck the wire into, and behind the wheel well liners. Replace clips with part number shown above.
-Some extra wire loom and zip ties will help keep the wiring protected and placed out of harms way.
-For max visibility, I considered wiring up the turn signals to the markers as well, but since I don't quite have my relays and Blue Seas fuse block finished yet, this install was good enough for now. Euro style for the win. Next project. Or one for you ?



Now some more picture whoring. Cuz I love that just as much as the next member.
I get 17 HP due to that Billy sticker^.

 

I like that a lot!

I think I would put them in different places but I like the idea.

 

you don't like it! Wtf! Where would you put them ?

 

LOL nah man, I really like where you have them, just don't feel it for me personally, but really dig it on your truck.

I think I might do some red's on the rear bumper above the license plate area. Front ambers... might stick those on the front side of the side view mirrors?? Just spit balling

 

Funny because I saw these lights a month (s) or so ago on VLED and thought, where would I put those if I got them.

 

Yeah the mid license area definitely crossed my mind. Like the mirror idea also. Once MESO comes out with Version 2.0 for his side mirror turns I'll have some light on the mirrors. Although I don't think they will have amber switch back option-they go back to white color.

The amber running lights on the full size truck mirror look noiiice IMO.

 

Yeah I have Meso’s limited edition turns so I have white DRL already.
Yeah the full size trucks option do look really nice. I’ve never been an amber fan but the past year or so has been growing on me

 

The leds they are making these days seem so much better. Whenever I see the new F series I'm like oh yeah that's the future right there.


Got any pics of the DRL s on the mirror ?

 

they are pretty sweet and switchback to intense amber.

 

POINTS!!!

 

Sick AF. I need those mirrors so bad lol.
Also the new 2020 head lights you have with the LED side markers are nice! Good combo

Meso says some time in New year V2.0 is coming. Waiting ...

On another note currently I am knuckles deep into drivers side plugs . Long time coming

 

Please do. Id like to see others variations and ideas. Best thing about TW.

 

Bump

 

OMG its like Taco Heaven when you get to passenger side. I started with the harder side first. So much space to work with. 90% of the work is all driver side.

 

I’ll be there in another 14k or 3 years.
Work from home so miles don’t add up as much as they used to

 

Well- that's what I get for trying my own plug maintenance lol. Now it's time to take the trick or treaters out! Anyone else ever have this issue after plug change? At first I went back and re checked my work and found i forgot the small black connection on Edit: passenger side it showed Trac Off and check engine light.


After I found it, i connected it and now I have brake override malfunction.
Trick or f^#&@ treat!

 

that’s new one though

 

Slight thread derail.
So I got home from the tricking and treating. Had a few minutes to look up the Brake Overide Malfunction. Did a quick check on fuses and tail lights all seem to be OK. So I hooked up the scanner to see what it would tell me. Throttle actuator control system - stuck open. And I believe camshaft position sensor "b" circuit high. Using OBD Fusion App on Android. See below.



While doing the spark plugs I had the intake hose off and I wiped out the throttle body with a rag and manually opened/closed the valve.... I wonder if that fudged something up? Would cause the fault to the throttle actuator system...

Anyone shed some light ! ??

 

Ill update this because others have seen Brake Malfunction limp mode. I scanned codes as mentioned and found P2111. Which led to the triggering of the Brake Override Malfunction.
After checking out the code P2111 "throttle actuator stuck open". I found that a very small piece of the rubber intake hose had broken off while reinstalling it after changing my spark plugs and was jammed right in the throttle body.
Little gremlin! ^

The brake override malfunction was cleared immediately after clearing this out.

After some reading on here and the net I found that the PCM has several paths to triggering the brake override malfunction for the drivers safety. Although most of the time on TW it seems it's related to brake fuses, keep in mind it should be diagnosed thoroughly. Take your time!


https://www.troublecodes.net/p2codes/p2111/?amp