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Installing puddle lights on factory SR5 mirrors

Discussion in 'Lighting' started by panicman, Apr 21, 2019.

  1. Apr 21, 2019 at 8:41 PM
    #1
    panicman

    panicman [OP] Everyone remain calm.

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    I searched and couldn’t find a thread that covers this helpful and inexpensive mod. I have an SR5 with heated mirrors but no puddle lights.

    @VTYOTA has a GREAT tutorial thread on installing VLED universal puddle lights to a set of tow mirrors that includes product links and very good install tips:
    https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-tow-mirror-puddle-lights.42359/

    This one is specifically about fitting the lights to a factory mirror.

    Once removed, the mirror has a couple of items that make install easier.
    02DAFD5A-13DE-49CD-B2CF-22AD4C7728F7.jpg
    Near the hinge joint of the mirror, there is an access panel that snaps out using a small flat blade. In the middle of the mirror bottom there is a positioning mark for the puddle light.

    You’ll need to remove the mirror from the housing. There is a YouTube video, but you just angle the mirror as if looking down at the ground; the top of the mirror will be projecting out of the housing, the bottom of the mirror will be recessed in to the housing as far as possible. Using a wide plastic trim tool, get under the mirror and lever it up while holding the housing stationary. It’ll take several tries, but it will eventually pop up. I marked one defroster terminal and the corresponding wire with a sharpie. Then unplug the defrost wire. Set the mirror aside so it’s safe. At this point, I wiped the whole mirror housing clean with microfiber and cleaner. Now, pop the bottom access cover off.
    FC20E0C9-0B05-4470-A0D2-95D2A52D5E70.jpg

    Turn the housing over and with a lamp, look into the housing where the wires for the defrost wires head. You’ll want to run your wire along the defrost wires. At this point, I used steel wire and electrical tape to fish the new wire through the housing. It was not hard.
    4A42E6F1-2454-439C-8827-76F52E87111D.jpg
    92FFED45-5E19-4890-97C3-C4B93AC434F3.jpg
    943DBF76-760E-4316-AFE5-9BD333045B31.jpg
    As you bring the wire out of the mirror mount, you’ll see the defrost wires emerging from a grommet. Using some needle nose pliers, pull that grommet out. Pop a small hole in that grommet and run your wire through. Then press the grommet back in.
    40D896C9-475B-439E-8DED-E7722B39B218.jpg

    Time for the commitment- the 1.5” hole needed to mount the VLED puddle light.
    Drill a small pilot hole in the center of the positioning mark (the cast circle) on the bottom of the mirror. Follow that with a 1.5” hole saw. Sand and debur.
    A8F497C4-73AF-4390-9687-0C975935D256.jpg
    2F6AE5ED-4134-416F-9106-5BA91659F955.jpg
    Use the alcohol wipe to really clean around this new hole. Remove the 3M tape backing and mount the light.
    0D84A5CF-59CD-485E-B214-8564DC2BEF00.jpg
    Replace the mirror in the reverse of removal; plug the defrost wires back in, line the clips on the housing mount up with the receiver castings on the back of the mirror, and then use the wide plastic trim tool to lever the mirror down. You’ll feel it click into place. Your mirror should be ready to reinstall.
    FC69307B-782F-4C48-84EC-4EF4E0222A5D.jpg
    VTYOTA’s tutorial does a great job describing how to route the wires so I won’t recreate it. The VLEDS are quite bright, and the positioning mark on the factory mirror takes the guesswork out of the install. Hope this helps!
    B83DCCA9-28AD-4900-BD22-F04C0E60D8AA.jpg
    28AD5803-1258-47D0-8D6E-E4EA38EFC506.jpg
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Apr 25, 2019
  2. Apr 21, 2019 at 8:50 PM
    #2
    danz75

    danz75 New Member

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    Nice write up. Going to have to put this on my list of mods to do this summer.
     
  3. Apr 22, 2019 at 5:06 AM
    #3
    VTYOTA

    VTYOTA I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!!

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    Looks great! Good job!
     
  4. Apr 22, 2019 at 6:19 AM
    #4
    phabej

    phabej New Member

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  5. Apr 22, 2019 at 6:27 AM
    #5
    1UPPER

    1UPPER Not A New Member

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    Flux capacitor!
    Good write up! @T-Rex266 maybe a new DIY thread?
     
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  6. Apr 22, 2019 at 7:59 AM
    #6
    badblue22

    badblue22 New Member

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    @panicman do you happen to have link to Vtyota that shows the wire running?

    @1UPPER thanks for sharing this with me
     
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  7. Apr 22, 2019 at 8:09 AM
    #7
    panicman

    panicman [OP] Everyone remain calm.

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    Here’s the link again:
    https://www.tundras.com/threads/diy-tow-mirror-puddle-lights.42359/
    Step 17 in his procedural starts the routing of the wire.

    It looks complicated, but really it just requires some patience. The first side took me 2 hours, the second side took me about :40 total, plus soldering on some extension wire to make it all the way to the drivers footwell.

    I had no idea the door panels came off so easy....
     
  8. Apr 22, 2019 at 8:14 AM
    #8
    panicman

    panicman [OP] Everyone remain calm.

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    I’d also like to recommend Posi taps, as used by VTYOTA. The duo t-taps that VLEDS sends may work, but they feel cheap and temporary. I have them on the truck, but I ordered Posi taps and will be replacing them.
     
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  9. Apr 22, 2019 at 1:32 PM
    #9
    phabej

    phabej New Member

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    I'm curious if I can just use the tap I already did to wire up my truck beds? I think if so, it's pretty easy for me.

    As discussed here, because for 2018 the wiring color is different! It's the pink one.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/2018-cargo-light-wire.21253/
     
  10. Apr 22, 2019 at 6:08 PM
    #10
    panicman

    panicman [OP] Everyone remain calm.

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    I am confident you could, you’d just need to decide where to ground.If you do it, post a pic- it would be a good update, as the wire now is not brown as in the linked thread.
     
  11. Apr 22, 2019 at 7:12 PM
    #11
    dhurley

    dhurley New Member

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    Great job!
     
  12. Apr 23, 2019 at 7:27 PM
    #12
    panicman

    panicman [OP] Everyone remain calm.

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    A02848D0-C2B7-4F74-83D7-4D5018386F2B.jpg The cargo light wire is pink in my 2018, but there are 4 pink wires that appear identical. I used a posi tap to locate mine, and routed my power wire under the driver door sill. CB53B5ED-A698-477F-BDE9-9D57559F7C6D.jpg
     
  13. May 29, 2019 at 9:28 AM
    #13
    SpeshulED

    SpeshulED New Member

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    Sub’d I need to do this. So the lights will dim when turning on and off?

    Now if I can only find a way to get the blinking turn signal arrow on my side mirror glass
     
  14. May 29, 2019 at 9:34 AM
    #14
    VTYOTA

    VTYOTA I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!!

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    The puddle lights will work like your interior/cargo lights. On when unlocking, door opened, switching on cargo light. Off when locking, closing the door, switching off cargo lights.
     
  15. May 29, 2019 at 10:09 AM
    #15
    Berdine

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    Great job!
     
  16. Jun 14, 2019 at 4:11 PM
    #16
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

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    Just did this mod on my 2016, same wire to tap. But No, the lights don't dim. They come straight on and off. I'll be testing more in the dark.
     
  17. Jul 6, 2019 at 6:28 PM
    #17
    thomasbus337

    thomasbus337 New Member

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    ReginalPierre likes this.
  18. Jul 8, 2019 at 4:43 AM
    #18
    marietteachrist

    marietteachrist New Member

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    What type of puddle lights you want.
     
  19. Jul 8, 2019 at 7:44 AM
    #19
    TheBeast

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    looks great ! nice write up OP !
     
  20. Jul 24, 2019 at 9:16 PM
    #20
    americanaaron

    americanaaron USA

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    Great info in write up. Made install a breeze.
     
  21. Aug 15, 2019 at 10:15 AM
    #21
    JOZ20

    JOZ20 New Member

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    Thanks @panicman for the write up. Well done.
     
  22. Aug 29, 2019 at 3:44 AM
    #22
    Viliamu808

    Viliamu808 New Member

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    Will this work for a 2019?
     
  23. Aug 29, 2019 at 1:59 PM
    #23
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

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    It should
     
  24. Aug 29, 2019 at 2:05 PM
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    Viliamu808

    Viliamu808 New Member

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    I emailed the guys at vleds and they said nothing for the 2019..but I think it should work..just don't like to waste money..and headache of sending back things..imma busy man..haha..not really
     
  25. Aug 29, 2019 at 2:10 PM
    #25
    Berdine

    Berdine Voodoo Sport

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    The main thing is finding the right wire. On my 2016, the wire color was different, but in the same spot as I followed a different how to on here. The wire was behind the switch panel. Works perfectly
     
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  26. Aug 30, 2019 at 9:15 AM
    #26
    panicman

    panicman [OP] Everyone remain calm.

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    Should work fine if they haven’t changed the mirror/housing.

    You’ll really like having puddle lights.
     
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  27. Aug 30, 2019 at 11:33 AM
    #27
    Viliamu808

    Viliamu808 New Member

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    Cool..thanks guys
     
  28. Aug 30, 2019 at 11:57 AM
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    Fozzy360

    Fozzy360 New Member

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    Next mod ✅
     
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  29. Aug 31, 2019 at 10:46 AM
    #29
    Pbear1454

    Pbear1454 New Member

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    I still have some rock lights to install, however, it looks like putting in some puddle lights is a more practical mod
     
  30. Aug 31, 2019 at 11:53 AM
    #30
    panicman

    panicman [OP] Everyone remain calm.

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    The other practical function that hasn’t been spoken of is that tapping into the bed light wire also now allows you to manually turn on the puddle lights using the dash switch.

    ....not that you’d want to drive around that way, but hey...
     
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