DIY: Trailer harness relocate.

This is a simple how to relocate factory harness to license plate light.

Tools needed:
10mm wrench
Phillips screwdriver
Electrical tape
Cutting tool (Dremel, angle grinder)

First, remove harness plug using 10mm wrench.


Next remove tape holding sleeve on harness plug.


Squeeze connector as shown and remove.


Press clips in and remove bracket from plug.


This is what you should have.


Remove left license plate light using Phillips screwdriver.


Place bracket over hole from license plate light and trace as shown.


Cut out traced area being careful not to cut to much. It needs to be a tight fit so cut inside the lines and make additional as needed to ensure a tight fit. This is what the cut hole should look like.


Retape sleeve to connector.



Pull connector through cut hole and connect harness plug. You will probably need to pop off wire loom from zip tie on the hitch to get it all the way through.


Now pop in harness into cut out hole and ensure you get it seated all the way in. All done!

 

Looks good man. Is there enough light for the license plate from the one light?

 

I've had my wife's a Tacoma like this for years with no issues. I have a LED in my plate light, I think it's plenty lit.

 

oh yeah, no problem at all there! I think im going to do this. I hate having it hanging there. They look so nice on the 2014s too

 

Definitely going to do this! Thanks for the write up.

 

An excellent 'must do' (like tomorrow) mod. Thanks

Worth bringing this old post back up, no?

 

Just moved mine yesterday.Didn't lower spare-tire but removing rear tag helped with access.

 

Thaks Brian, I just didn't have the heart to hack a taglight off.This position requires some grinding/sawing/drilling or chopping but it was the best spot for me.

 

Im doing this asap!

 

Hey folks,just a heads-up(YourResultsMayVary) I did this mod a while back. "Looked" great,till I needed to actually use it for my boat trailer. Wouldn't stay put because of all the flimsy plastic and very little metal surrounding it. After buying a new Step-Pad and Plug-Bracket,I'm back to stock.....$91 later!

 

Yep, the metal clips that keep the plug in place, need more than plastic around 'em, when using the receptacle. Your bracket should firm it up enough.

 

does anyone know if I can put this style plug on my 08 (older plug style) with out completely rewiring it. the picture is the kind I have on my truck

 

Just FYI, my new 2017 has the plug receptacles mounted up by the license plate already. Apparently Toyota reads our DIY pages.

 

Yuppp my 2017 comes relocated. Think it's the only change from previous models

 

There've been several changes but most of 'em have been (Beancounter) feature- deletions

 

What are the changes from the 14-16 to the 2017?

 

I tried to do this... The spare tire got in the way of the back of the plug.

 

,mine's a 2010, ignore me

 

Could you make a metal backing with a hole the shape of your cutout? Maybe about an inch larger than the hole in the back side?

 

That might work if there's room for a plate large enough. On mine, I'd have to spring the mounting-clips too far to accept a plate and the shape of the mounting area prevented a plate large enough to add any integrity. I found out there's quite a bit of pressure involved in hooking/unhooking the trailer plug!

 

I'm wondering if you could use the old plate as a backer (only grind off the angle part) and modify the prongs (cut them back) to allow for the metal plus the plastic? You could epoxy it behind the plastic. CMB, you did say there was metal you cut though in some spots so it may be uneven if you try to add a backer just left of the licence plate location?

 

Sorry it took so long with my reply, we just got back from vacation. On my 2010,I didn't think I had enough metal to hold-up to all the "yanking" I do ,on the trailer plug. I might've been able to come up with something but at the time, my best bet was just going back to stock, good luck!

 

Good idea

 

Turns out the trail is forcing me to do this mod

 

That is SUUUUUWEEEEEEEET!!! Thank you for posting.

 

My Tundra harness is always full of sand and mud so the relocation by the license plate!!!