1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

oem rear bed lights and tailgate remote lock install

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by alweldcrabber, Dec 3, 2020.

  1. Dec 3, 2020 at 7:39 AM
    #1
    alweldcrabber

    alweldcrabber [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2020
    Member:
    #55370
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    So I struggled with the thought of getting bed lights for my new 2021 tundra platinum. Long story short, I have owned multiple Tundras going back to the original version and then I moved up through the newer body styles and improvements. I had this thought about getting a Ford F150 so I did it in 2018. I just never got used to it and traded it recently. I liked some of the features on the F150 but the quality of the ride and reliability wasn't there. I jumped back into the Tundra market and bought one again. A crewmax. Wanted to install bed lights like the F150 but couldn't make that work so I bought the OEM versions of the bed lights from Sparks Parts. Bought the bed lights and then the rear tailgate lock. Both installs did not interfere with one another at all. The 2021 had grommets under each side for the wires. Both drives side and passenger side. It look me a few hours to do the installs. I did them back to back. I am not a wiz when it comes to this stuff but the videos and instructions were good. The tailgate lock install was really easy. The lights were a little harder but went ok. The light drill holes don't line up so make your own paper guides or use the factory ones from the instructions and drill the bottom holes after you have the lights screwed in on the top and the wires run down the bed sides. The bed lights have a ton of extra wire so you have to zip tie them in the back. I am thinking I may shorten that to clean it up. The truck has to be put on jacks or stands to run the wires. At least for me on a sled. The bed lights are ok. Not the best amount of light but better than nothing and I just plugged them into the existing cargo wire control as the directions say. I was considering doing a switch and it was just too cumbersome. Toyota should offer both of these items standard. Really when you are paying 50K plus for a truck you expect that. Otherwise the installs look factory and work well.

    Just a few side notes. I had a trifold tonneau cover for my F150 shortbed and it fit the Tundra perfectly. I also had a bed extender for my last Tundra , a 2015 crewmax limited. It fit the F150 perfectly with new mounts. Now I am getting the mounts to retro fit the extender on my new crewmax. I had a hard time finding any crewmaxes in the color and configuration I wanted. No inventory anywhere on the east coast. I wanted a cement limited without the off road package and not the nightshade. No one had any of these trucks. I ended up getting the platinum in dark gray and I love it. I just feel I could have saved a few bucks getting the limited. All in all I am happy with the platinum version and my family likes it. My wife hated the F150 ride and is very happy I went back to Tundra. I had no reservations about the new 2022 version. I dont want a v6 with turbos or the better gas mileage. I will pay for the extra gas and be fine. I like the engine in the current model and it hauls better than my F150 did. Not even close to be honest. Totally different feel than the Ford and I started to have electronic issues with the F150. Weird stuff with the lights and ignition. A valve tap etc. I wish it wasn't so but the Tundra is a better vehicle in my opinion. I paid more for an XLT in 2018 than the Platinum in 2020.

    Sorry a lot of stuff here. If anyone wants to ask me any questions please go ahead. I would be happy to answer them.

    The part number for the bed lights is 00016-34187. The lock is on Sparks website. Ill get that if anyone needs it. Use the discount code tundradude34 for money off stuff. There are probably others out there but that one worked for me.
     
    KY_Rob likes this.
  2. Dec 3, 2020 at 7:54 AM
    #2
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2020
    Member:
    #54134
    Messages:
    14,887
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Casey
    Clark County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Lunar Rock TRD Pro CM
    Check the build link in my signature.
    Welcome from the wet side of WA. I've got both kits sitting on my desk right now (my light kit is the PT948-34170 kit, which I think is slightly updated). I'm leaning toward re-looming all of it into a single loom (using the loom for the tailgate lock) before I install it, and I'm also planning on running a secondary switch in the bed so that will involve making some connector changes as well.
     
  3. Dec 3, 2020 at 1:14 PM
    #3
    alweldcrabber

    alweldcrabber [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2020
    Member:
    #55370
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    yea a switch would be the way to go. The lights don't put off much light off. its Ok. Could be a little bit brighter. You will need to power the lights unless you just plan on having the lights powered when the cargo lights come on.
     
  4. Dec 3, 2020 at 1:19 PM
    #4
    RainMan_PNW

    RainMan_PNW SSEM #82 RGBA #4 “That Guy” Vendor

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2020
    Member:
    #54134
    Messages:
    14,887
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Casey
    Clark County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Lunar Rock TRD Pro CM
    Check the build link in my signature.
    I'll be running them off the cargo light circuit, just adding the switch as an extra control so they don't come on EVERY time I have the cargo light on. I had done a similar install in my 2008 up to the point of actually picking out and installing the lights themselves (I had run all the rest of the wiring and installed the switch). I'm also waiting for my truck cover to come in (TC USA American Roll Cover) and may end up adding something to the canister for it as well.
     
  5. Dec 20, 2020 at 2:14 PM
    #5
    KY_Rob

    KY_Rob New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2020
    Member:
    #56389
    Messages:
    26
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    Vehicle:
    2021 Black Tundra Limited TRDOR
    Thanks a ton for this! Searched for far too long to find the right number. These are very similar to how they went in on the ‘18 Taco I traded in for the Tundra.

    I also agree, that for the price of these trucks, simple bed lights isn’t too much to ask as standard equipment. A standard bed step would be nice as well.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top