How can i use this switch?

I want to add some additional lighting to my truck, but dont want to add any aftermarket buttons if i dont have to. if i do im thinking switch panel in the center consol, out of sight.

I was thinking i could tap into a set of lights already in use, but then was wondering if maybe i could use one of the blanks in my dash. One of the ones im thinking is the blank below, i think it would normally be a 4WD button? for me it does nothing and says tundra on it. I want to make this button work again...anyone done that, for anything? Doesnt have to be a light.

I have another by the mirror adjustment buttons i was thinking i could do the same thing with, but would really like to bring this blank to life.

Also having a hard time finding what would normally go here to buy to try this idea. was going to ask the dealership when i go in next.

 

On my truck, that switch says "SWITCH L". It puts the transmission in 1st gear.

 

Yes, that is for the 5 speed AT in the 05/06 Tundras.

You could always drill that blank out and add a switch OR buy an OEM "shift L" switch and use that too. What sort of AUX light setup do you have to run?

 

Would be super cool to get a switch there that looked factory. Wonder if I can get a replacement cargo light switch and convert it? hum.

 

Ok interesting. I’ll try and find that if I can’t figure out how to use it. Thanks!

 

Yea I like the idea of trying to drill out and use it. Not sure how to “make” a button, but I’ll do some research.

I don’t have a light yet, more so planning how to hook it all up before buying. I have a Bull bar so I was thinking about an off road light or something, but didn’t want to wire it into my headlights. Was planning on getting a bright one for when we go camping so I don’t want to blind people.

 

Yea I was going to run led bed lights and try and tap into the cargo light so when I turn it on they all come on. Was thinking I could use that button for the other lights, but light be weird to have my cargo light on if I’m driving down a camp trail....but I guess who cares. Just think it would be sweet to have the blanks in my truck working.

 

There's quite a selection of random buttons and switches you can get that would fit in there. You just gotta get the right drill bit size. I think mine says cargo light so maybe you could hunt around and find that one.

 

yea that's what ive been trying to find, but the 2 oval buttons are connected on my truck, not independent. So i need a hazard light on bottom with a different button on top.

Thinking this side may be a better option. The RSCA Off button is a blank on my truck. if i could do that one, it's independent of the other lights. Just need to figure out how to rewire it.

 

If you go left side, I think @robabeatle just did something with help from @Darkness.

 

Yeah, I just pushed out the blank on my 2002 and put in a rocker switch from here:

https://www.keepitcleanwiring.com/catalog/Switches/Toggle-and-Rocker-Switches

(SW17R for the red) It just slides in and holds due to friction/expanding clips, very nice! No drilling needed and can be removed and replaced by the blank again easily.

The switch has three contacts. I suggest using a DMM to test. I ran a continuity test to see which two were connected when the button was in the "on" position and the other contact (which is a gold color as opposed to silver) was the ground, which will allow the light on the switch to work when it is all connected. I wired the switch to a fuse in the box to the left of the brake pedal and the other side to my reverse camera. I also ran the ground to a bolt in that same area as the fuse box which is being used as a ground for something else (OEM).

@Darkness gave me a great set of photos to remove the panels and pointed me to the url above.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the links and info! That helps a ton and definitely looks like the best route to take. Now to find the light and start ordering switches. ill post up when i get going

 

+1 thanks for the info. I had no intention to add any lighting to my truck but this makes it very easy to do so, I think I want to add a couple of switched aux lights to the rear bumper area just because.