Installing puddle lights on factory SR5 mirrors

I'm doing mine from scratch. What power source do I tap into?

Update: I should have stated that I have a 2021 SR5 without fancy mirrors.

 

Mine are tied into VLED interior lights, but I think you can scroll back through some of the earlier posts in this thread and find the specific wire you will need to splice into.

 

You have a few options. The 2 most people do are the cargo light wiring or the footwell light.

Both have a pro and con

I did cargo light. I like having it on a switch and off during day use and on, on demand

 

Ok. I just did mine today. I installed the VLEDS and it plugged it into my VLEDS footwell lights. The package came with a 3 way splitter that plugs into the plug that plugs into that little driver side footwell light socket. Took like 3.5-4 hrs. It wasn’t easy either. I know some say it is but it was a PITA to get that large end through the rubber grommets. Not to mention I broke my passenger side mirror glass trying to pop it off. Now I need a new one. But it’s all done and love the outcome. Wished I had a switch also but I like when they automatically turn on when I approach. I’ll look into getting rock lights with a switch another time. Here are some pics.

 

Looks good. Connecting them to the VLED footwell lights IMO is the way to go even if it is a PITA to get the connector through the rubber grommet. I love mine.

 

subd

 

has anyone tried putting a puddle light on the bottom of the door like a lot of the german cars have?

 

Not sure you would get nearly as extensive illumination coverage outside the vehicle as you do with them mounted much higher up in the mirror housing.

 

I did this modification about a year ago, and since day 1, I've been having issues with my door locks using the key fob when the LEDs are on. I'm 100% sure it's related to the LED's because I've wired them into the bed cargo light and when I turn the switch position to "off", I no longer have the issue. When the switch is in the "on" position, if the LEDs are on when attempting to use the key fob, my door locks are very finicky. I have to be super close to the truck to lock the doors using the key fob, and I have to press it multiple times to get it to respond. The locks work perfectly as soon as the LEDs turn off. It's very similar to the known RF interference issue with LED's in the bed cargo light. I know it's not the bed cargo light that's causing the issue because I'm using the VLED 921 "no interference" LED's that are made to solve this exact issue, plus I had those installed long before doing the puddle light install and never had an issue.

Is anyone else experiencing this issue? It's very annoying! I wish VLED made puddle lights that were "no interference" like the 921 bed cargo LEDs I'm using! https://www.vleds.com/shop-bulb-numbers/921-led/921-36-w-5500k-t.html

 

What lights are you using for the puddle lights?

 

VLED puddle lights https://www.vleds.com/universal-puddle-light-w-5500k.html

 

That's odd.
I used these and tapped into the little floorboard light.
They look a lot like what you have but cost $50 more.
Never had an issue on my 2014, but there are lots of differences between 2014 and 2021 wiring and accessories..

UNIVERSAL LED PUDDLE LIGHT (vleds.com)

The thing about using the floorboard light is they dim on and off.
At least on my 2014 they do.
Sorry about the wind noise.

https://youtu.be/k0hMlh9S_6o?si=SjiRD98uFGoFUwAy

 

Those are the same lights, they're two of them in kit form with a bunch of extra wiring/connectors. I didn't buy that kit because I don't like the VLED connectors, so I bought the two $30 lights by themselves for a total of $60. I made my own wiring harnesses with wire loom installed over the outside of the wires and mini deutch connectors at the mirror and door, in case I need to remove the mirrors or doors.

 

I wonder if it's because I tapped the bed cargo light instead of the floorboard light. I wonder if just having them on the same circuit will induce rf interference that interferes with the key fob.

 

I wish I'd of seen that, I didn't use their connectors either..

I also used a connector in case I need to remove the mirror.
There are 2, one for the puddle lights, one for the signal mirrors.

 

I would be willing to bet that is the source of your problem.

I've had VLED puddle lights for roughly a year now with no issues, however, I did plug them into my VLED floorboard interior lights so they come on and go off with that circuit. Really liked the plug-n-play of the VLED wiring and (if need be) I can replace a puddle light just by removing a mirror.

 

That's how mine are on my 2020.

 

I did this MOD a while back, followed the instructions and have had zero issues. Great MOD. I also tapped into the small floor board light like it recommended and mine dims as well. I also liked the their connections, all plug and play and no splicing or anything. I did add extra small connections in the mirror/door incase I had to change them and didn't want to take the entire system out to replace the lights if one went bad.