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Auxilary Lights Install on First Gens

Discussion in '1st Gen Tundras (2000-2006)' started by evanhmn, May 18, 2022.

  1. May 18, 2022 at 12:15 AM
    #1
    evanhmn

    evanhmn [OP] mmm chicken pot pie

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    So I just made the decision of buying a pair of auxiliary lights to put on my truck and was curious as to how people wired theirs up because I honestly have no clue. I've seen some people have what looks like aftermarket buttons inside the cab to turn the lights on too and am curious as to how they did that. Can anyone clue me in on this stuff? It's just a 12V wire so I assume that'll work with my 12V battery. Thanks yall:)
     
  2. May 18, 2022 at 2:37 AM
    #2
    artsr2002

    artsr2002 2005 Tundra DC SR5

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  3. May 18, 2022 at 9:55 AM
    #3
    Kimosabe

    Kimosabe Slacker

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    Do you have the lights yet, and where are you looking to install? Some lights should come with a full harness and switch which will make things a lot easier.
     
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  4. May 18, 2022 at 1:14 PM
    #4
    evanhmn

    evanhmn [OP] mmm chicken pot pie

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    Lights haven't been delivered yet, but I plan on putting them where the windshield meets the hood if that makes sense. One on each side as you typically see with a lot of auxiliary lights.
     
  5. May 18, 2022 at 1:32 PM
    #5
    des2mtn

    des2mtn Third Member

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    The simplest (and crudest) way to accomplish this is it's own fused circuit with a switch and relay, wired directly the battery.

    [​IMG]


    Hopefully the lights you ordered should come with a wiring harness. If you're not confident making your own, or connecting the wiring to existing circuits in the truck, you can buy one. The two components your wiring harness needs to have 1. A fuse, ideally within the first foot of your wiring from the battery/ power source. 2. A relay.

    A wiring harness like this will work, you'd will need to run wires into your cab for the switch. You will also need to crimp terminal rings to connect to the battery, and crimp/solder the connectors on the lights to the leads on your wiring harness.

    https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Wiri...1-1-5985efba-8948-4f09-9122-d605505c9d1e&th=1
     
    Kimosabe and evanhmn[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  6. May 18, 2022 at 8:14 PM
    #6
    NickB_01TRD

    NickB_01TRD You don't need less cars, just more driveway.

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  7. May 19, 2022 at 9:36 AM
    #7
    Kimosabe

    Kimosabe Slacker

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    What lights did you get? I'm sure someone here is familiar with them or has tried them.
    I'm definitely familiar with where you want to put them. I used these brackets from Rago and have been really happy with them.

    If your lights don't come with a wire harness then I think the harness and instructions from @des2mtn is the way to go.
     
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  8. May 19, 2022 at 1:50 PM
    #8
    evanhmn

    evanhmn [OP] mmm chicken pot pie

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    I just ordered some "Amazon special" lights I found that seemed to work pretty well in a youtube review I watched. Brand is called BigLion. I'm pretty sure the lights come with mounting brackets and a wiring harness but depending on whether I end up worrying about the brackets stripping paint, I will most definitely check those brackets out. Thanks man
     
    Kimosabe[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. May 19, 2022 at 1:59 PM
    #9
    des2mtn

    des2mtn Third Member

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    Good luck, if you run into any issues we'll be here.

    I have the Rago Fab brackets linked above too. They're pretty great.

    [​IMG]
     
    evanhmn[OP] likes this.
  10. May 22, 2022 at 10:52 PM
    #10
    evanhmn

    evanhmn [OP] mmm chicken pot pie

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    Thought I'd give yall a little update on the light situation. Rather than drilling holes in my hood for some 40$ lights, I found a nice spot to put them down on my front bumper. Wired them up, ran a switch inside the cab, and placed it in the fusebox nicely, and it's all good.
    IMG_6633.jpg
    So here's a pic from the front of where the lights are mounted, and no I didn't put that dent in the bumper :,(
    IMG_6652.jpg
    And theres a picture of my headlights/highbeams on.
    IMG_6653.jpg
    And lastly heres a picture with just my auxilary lights on. For 40 bucks, I think they do a pretty good job :)
     
    Casper421, des2mtn and 912 like this.
  11. May 23, 2022 at 1:41 AM
    #11
    NickB_01TRD

    NickB_01TRD You don't need less cars, just more driveway.

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    As long as you have an inline fuse off the batt then looks good and pretty bright too.

    I still really recomend the light bar in the cutout in the bumper if you wanna get wild with lighting.
     
    evanhmn[QUOTED][OP] and des2mtn like this.
  12. May 23, 2022 at 5:36 AM
    #12
    Sirfive

    Sirfive Master Procrastinator

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    The lights i put on my titan are too low to help when the grass is too tall. They work great for lighting the road, but when you’re looking for deer that arent on the road yet, they’re lacking a little.
     
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  13. May 23, 2022 at 7:04 AM
    #13
    des2mtn

    des2mtn Third Member

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    Good job! If you ever want to put lights in the previously planned location however, the Rago mounts we suggested don't require any drilling.
     
    evanhmn[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  14. May 23, 2022 at 7:39 AM
    #14
    Casper421

    Casper421 Toyota RidgeTrac driver!

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    Watch yourself @evanhmn lighting can become an expensive mission if you let it take over! Come join the bright side!
    FC434C38-2B1B-47CC-A6ED-E12661A0B979.jpg
     
    abcinv and evanhmn[OP] like this.
  15. May 23, 2022 at 3:58 PM
    #15
    evanhmn

    evanhmn [OP] mmm chicken pot pie

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    I plan on getting a light bar as well, just was starting with couple small ones first :) Thanks for the advice too, that pocket on my bumper must be filled!
     
  16. May 23, 2022 at 3:59 PM
    #16
    evanhmn

    evanhmn [OP] mmm chicken pot pie

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    That thing looks cool as hell. I want enough lights on my rig that I can confidently blind passersbys who have their high beams on, oh and also to go offroading at night
     
  17. Jun 15, 2022 at 2:40 PM
    #17
    evanhmn

    evanhmn [OP] mmm chicken pot pie

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    Just an update to the thread as I installed a couple more lights :)

    IMG_6945.HEIC.jpg
     

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